Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

It looks amazing! Keep it up.....

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Thanks Dale. Been a long road getting to this point and must admit it has been a bit pricey but wife and I both are very pleased to this point. As they say, "you can't take it with you". Don't regret spending the $$ to this point a bit. Will be taking the car back to the body shop this coming week for a bit of assistance installing the bumpers. Those bumpers are heavy, the General used some good steel back then. Letting the glass pros install the front and back glass. Near as I can tell both are original to the car and in great shape. Like to keep them that way for sure. :lol:

Last on the list is to bring it home, a few minor tweaks and wait until it's driving season. Sure hope Spring arrives early this year and we can get some car shows going. Been a rough year for 2020 and '21 is starting out not too well either for our country.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

That truly is a work of art!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

57 CAME HOME TODAY !

Finally after a long wait, including paint and body jail, interior choice change because of discontinued material, interior upholstery jail, waiting on Covid caused parts shortages, weather delays and just waiting and waiting and waiting....etc. The 57 is back home !!

Did not drive it home because the roller tires are not up to a 30 mile highway trip so I used my AAA membership. Came off without a hitch. Fired her up and drove up the roll back and set the brake, shut her off, put her in reverse, foot on brake while AAA driver lashed her down. 40 minutes later unloaded her in front of the house and backed into the garage. Still a few small things to do before she hits the road. Change the flex fan for a solid steel mechanical, new seat belts for the front bench, bead blast and repaint the traction bars, swap out the rally wheels for black steel wheels and Camaro poverty caps. Clean and detail the engine compartment. Nothing major, will be great to "tinker" on her again. Then impatiently wait for driving season and the car shows to start up. I am Soooo ready for that, :chevy:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Couple more pics.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Nice!! It looks good....Congratulations!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

congrats...looks great..!!!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

It looks amazing! I wouldn't wait for shows. I'd wait for the salt and sand to be off the roads then start putting some miles on that bad guy before gas prices are stupid high!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Will definitely be out on the road after we can get some of the salt and sand washed off the local roads. We get a lot of the salt brine laid down as we get so much sleet and freezing rain. Have a few minor details to do in mean time.

Need to change out the aluminum flex fan for a steel mechanical fan, clean and detail the engine compartment a bit more, find a decent spare tire, clean and repaint the rally wheels, clean and repaint the Mr. Gasket traction bars, longer seat belts for the front bench, just mostly minor stuff that one can spend an afternoon in the garage with the stereo going and enjoy being retired. :lol:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Will be taking the '57 in tomorrow morning to a professional registered classic auto appraiser for a Hagerty insurance coverage agreed value. Have spent the last hour and a half trying to document all that has been done and features that have been added and or updated. Guess will find out in a few days what the verdict is. I have a $$ amount in my mind, will see how close I am to his thoughts. After the appraisal will run it by my agent for some file pics to document the process. Fingers crossed the appraiser and I agree, LOL. :chevy:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Cool beans...insurance....that's something I've got to do with mine as well...one day...

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well, finally got the appraisal papers back from the appraiser. Happy with the result, appraised for $31,500 which is not a Barrett/Jackson car but for what I wanted as a NICE driver I'm pleased with the results. During the restore I had it insured at $20,000 which would have allowed me to make out okay if the worse case were to occur. Will be increasing the insured value to $35,000 when the renewal comes up which is not too far off.

Bummer of the deal is was getting ready for the first showing this coming weekend and just this past Saturday the 65 year old radiator gave up and presented me with a LEAK. After this long a wait decided not to jack around with it. Pulled the radiator and took it in for a re-core. "Mo Money", LOL, but I haven't cut corners yet so no need to start now. Just a little more wait until 57 makes it's first showing. Waited this long, so a little longer will be a cake walk.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

be well worth the wait..!!!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

At least it didn't wait until you were on the road somewhere.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Bit of a bummer with the leak showing up at the wrong time but guess there never is a good time for a radiator leak. As mentioned, at least it wasn't while we were out for cruise, that would have been a bit more of a problem. Irritating tho having to wait for taking it to our local car show for it's first showing. Had planned to take our '71 4x4, '71 Chevelle and finally being able to take the '57. Took just the truck by itself last show we had so guess will take the just the Chevelle this time. Have to share the fun between the toys evenly, LOL. :lol:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Is your Chevelle the caramel colored one? Slightly lowered convertible? That's a cool car!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

This is a pic of my Chevelle, 350 with Edelbrock 600 carb, Edelbrock RPM Performer intake, buckets with horseshoe shifter and console, 700R4 OD trans, Vintage Air, 15 x 7 and 15 x 8 rallies.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Very nice 57 and the Chevelle as a kicker is sweet!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well, finally got the radiator back from the repair shop. Took awhile to go thru the line before me and the repair process. Almost like the radiator shop was the only game in town, which they are unfortunately. Only radiator shop within a 50 mile radius that I know of. And they stay busy enough to prove that.
Radiator back in, took the opportunity to change out the flex fan and went with a six blade steel Derale fan. Also installed a two piece ABS fan shroud at the same time. White spray painted the fan tips as a reminder to keep fingers out of the area, LOL .

Again, plan for it's first show outing this up coming week end. Third time I've planned for such, hope the 3rd time is the charm thing works out this time, LOL.

Will post up pics later of the radiator, fan, shroud combo after get the 57 out for a short run and some more gas. The dual fours on it do get thirsty and I can't seem to resist a quick stab of the GO pedal.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

I hope you get to show it this time! Yes more pics please....

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

All dressed up and ready for the party ! AKA Car Show this Saturday and going with it's younger cousin, a 71 Chevelle. Gassed up both of them, checked all the levels. Will load a few chairs, pop up awning and the ice chest early Saturday morning. I'll be driving the 57, naturally, LOL, and my middle son is driving the Chevelle. Added a few more pics of both.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Younger cousin gets to go the party this time also.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

They both look great! Have a great show!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Wonderful pair of rides. Wish I had gotten to see the 57 up close when I was up there, but the Chevelle was a very good distraction.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Both are looking great! Have an awesome time!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Really looking forward to the outing for the '57. Have driven it around town locally getting in a test ride or two, gas for the thirsty dual carbs and just really enjoying being able to drive it again. Does turn some heads and get the thumbs up. Still have a few things to do on it, guess they really are never done. Need to pull the rear traction bars, bead blast, prime and paint back to the original bright yellow they were when they were new. Either a new line kit or new air shocks for the rear, slow leak situation there. Did I mention that I am "old school" all the way, LOL. Also want to change out the '70s foam grip Superior 500 wheel I installed so many years ago. Adding a pic of the one that is planned, from a '58 Impala. Bought it off our local Craigslist. From what I read on a tri-five website that was a very popular wheel swap even back into the mid to late '50s.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well, the cousins made it to the car show and back home tucked away for the night. Not a problem with either one. Didn't run the 57 hard, 'tween 55-60 all the way. Nary a hiccup, temp gauge right at 180-182 with 180 thermostat installed, oil pressure about 40+. Really pleased at the show, lots of comments on the '57 altho didn't drive away with a award or trophy. I'm okay with that, not looking to fill a trophy case with $25 and under trinkets. Just had a really enjoyable time motoring along to and from. Great times in some classic American Iron.

Will start a car show thread in the GD forum, actually remembered to bring my digital this time, LOL.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

I will be looking for that Thread.

I have always liked the 1955 and 1957 2 door Post car more than the Hardtop.




,....////

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

They look great! I'm glad they didn't have any problems.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Ordered this cup holder console for the 57 in mid May and finally arrived just the other day. As with everything now days, seems anything ordered takes forever to arrive but here it is finally. Have not taken the 57 out for a ride with it yet but seems to blend in with the interior really well. Comes with a strap that will allow passing under the bench seat and back to the front of the console to secure it while driving. Ordered the shorter version since the 57 is a four speed. They do have a longer version but think it would interfere with the shiftier, especially while doing some "spirited shifting". :lol:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

thats nice...whered you get it from?

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Greg, ordered it from www.cupholdersplus.com based in Oceanside, Cal. They have quite a website with a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. The color of the console I picked very closely matches my interior color. Was steered to that vendor after posting a bench seat console question on a tri-five board I am a member of. Can't wait to try it out during an afternoon cruise. As mentioned, it involved quite a wait but seems most everything is taking a much longer time for arrival.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

thanks..ive been thinking of something along that line for the IH

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Greg, did you look into ordering the bench seat console for your IH? VERY satisfied with the one I purchased. Seems to work great, haven't used the strap yet as doesn't seem to move around much at all. :chevy:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well with today being rather unseasonably warm for early December, (topped out at a record breaking 74 degrees) took the '57 for quite likely the last run of the year. Wife and I drove to our favorite burger joint about 20 miles north of us. Hand cut fries, hand made burger patty with all the fixins' and a Dr. Pepper combo. Had a great ride, temp stayed rock solid at 180 degrees, 42 lbs. oil pressure and listening to the Thrush mufflers singing along at 60 mile an hour. Gotta' get some tunes in this ride tho, lol.

Got back into town and stopped to top her off at the local station. $2.86 a gal. Had three people stop to ask and talk about the ride. One guy wanted to know what color. Another being a youngster of late teens/early 20s. First comment was "that is one bad a** ride!" then had to ask "what year is it?" Told him a '57 210 sedan and he asked what it had in it. Told him a 283 with dual fours and he asked if I would pop the hood. I opened the hood and "Wow, that is so COOL!" was the next thing he said. I have to say I got a warm and fuzzy over that one, LOL. Hate to put her up for the winter, may have to do this again before the salt brine gets laid down for moisture/ice.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Nice. Looks great!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

She is a beauty!!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

You are enjoying one of the best things about old cars. Meeting folks, showing them your ride, and talking/explaining about it. It's good that you are driving it and enjoying it before the salt weather gets there. It's a great looking car.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well, sitting here this morning with a cup of hot coffee and perusing thru the board which is a daily ritual. Don't always post but do look in and read. Wow, over 15,000 views. Thanks to all that looked in to the thread to get to that point, much appreciate your interest and comments along the way.

The aforementioned "last ride" of the year was the last ride as weather and the salt brine didn't allow another run. Along with the truck and the Chevelle, the '57 is tucked away until the weather improves and the salt brine is gone. Not happening today for sure, snowing and blowing big time right now. Wood box is full for the fireplace, thinking of potato soup with bacon and a pan of biscuits for supper and a movie night with the Mrs. Maybe a Crown Royal or two for me and a glass of wine for her as I feed the fireplace. SO ready for spring to appear.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

I enjoyed your description in your last post. It sounds like the very picture of contentment. Even though you would rather be able to take the 57 out for a drive, having the three of those rides tucked into the garage is not a bad thing at all. I enjoyed reading about your car and I'm glad that you held on to it for so long - kudos to your wife for encouraging that.