Old car projects can take longer than you think. They may well cost more money than you've budgeted. You could certainly have some big challenges along the way, in terms of mistakes made, parts not fitting properly, must-have components on backorder, and having to acquire some items that might not be reproduced. The missing parts could well be unobtainium. In the end, you may need to make some parts yourself. In essence, restoring an old car is not the sort of hobby that's well suited for those who aren't willing to overcome many obstacles along the way. The terms labor of love and labor of lunacy come to mind.
Above: Amalio and Julio replaced the original 283 V8 and Powerglide two-speed automatic trans with a rebuilt 350 SBC V8 that's backed by a three-speed TH350 automatic transmission. The 350 mill sports an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, with a chrome Edelbrock air filter cover housing a K&N air filter element, and chrome Edelbrock valve covers. A Champion aluminum radiator helps to keep the engine operating at the optimum operating temperature. Ceramic coated shorty headers, a stainless-steel custom exhaust system, and Flowmaster mufflers melodiously send the spent fumes out the back.
Despite these challenges, renewing old cars in general and specifically restoring American muscle cars in particular is a pastime shared by millions of people around the globe. This begs the question, is something worth doing if it isn't challenging or hard? Sure, it is. But the way challenging old car projects can be even more fulfilling along the restoration or restomod pathway than when the project vehicle finally reaches the finish line.
Above: A Dakota Digital RTX instrument cluster and clock provides the Chevy's vital signs. There's also an Alpine stereo with an 11-inch monitor installed in the center console for when the Alvarado family doesn't wish to listen to the magnificent SBC V8 mill.
When Amalio purchased his 1957 Chevy in 2006, he realized a childhood dream of one-day owning the sort of car that he idolized when he was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. Amalio passed along his appreciation for old American muscle to his son Julio, so much so that Julio convinced his pops that the baby blue '57 Chevy really needed a new paint job. In 2015, the father and son team set to work by sanding down the old paint job. Too much rust and oxidation lurked beneath the baby blue surface, when they had the car sandblasted.
The Alvarados performed much of the initial body panel patching, sanding, and priming bodywork, before handing the final paint prep and artful exterior paint job off to an up-and-coming pro shop in Compton, California called Customs by Lopez, which is owned and operated by Ricardo Lopez. Mr. Lopez adorned the 1957 Chevy in two 1957 Chevrolet exterior paint stock solid hues (as opposed to two-tone) of Onyx Black (code 585) over Inca Silver (code 804). Julio is a big fan of the National Football League Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders. Therefore, the silver and black paint scheme was a natural selection for the younger Alvarado.
What began as a new paint job became a father/son full-body-off-the-frame restoration/restomod. Amalio unfortunately passed away in December of 2017 of Cancer. Julio finished his father's '57 Chevy in the middle of 2024.
Julio shared, "I put his name on the plates to honor him (MALIO57). I know he would be proud of the way this car came out. All the parts and money spent cannot amount to the real sentimental value of the car."
Above: The Chevy now has front disc brakes, new brake lines, new fuel lines, a new fuel tank, a new fuel sending unit, new leaf springs, all new seals, and new body mounts. To seal the deal on the all-new ride, the Chevy rolls strong on new radial tires wrapping 20-inch US Mags, which is a very functional and stylish upgrade to the original 14-inch steel wheels with hubcaps.
After one of CI's professional photographers, Vicente Diaz, photographed Amalio and Julio's '57 for this article, Julio took me for a test drive in the car. From riding shotgun in the passenger seat, I was very impressed with how well the car drove, sounded, turned, and stopped. The Alvarado father and son team did a fantastic job of renewing this old Chevy!
Should you be in need of some must-have components for your 1955-57 Chevrolet, you can search on the Classic Industries website. You can also have CI mail you a free copy of the 1955-56-57 Chevrolet Parts and Accessories Catalog.