Think of a car that represents American car culture, or even automotive culture in general, and you'll be hard-pressed to find one more iconic than the '57 Chevy Bel Air. From the aircraft-inspired hood ornaments, to the sweeping wheel arches, to the raked tail fins, every element of this car's design is eye-catching and memorable. There really is no angle from which the Bel Air doesn't look good, and that's a claim few cars have lived up to since. In fact, this car has been around for over half a century, but it still remains relevant and undeniably cool.
Think of a car that represents American car culture, or even automotive culture in general, and you'll be hard-pressed to find one more iconic than the '57 Chevy Bel Air. From the aircraft-inspired hood ornaments, to the sweeping wheel arches, to the raked tail fins, every element of this car's design is eye-catching and memorable. There really is no angle from which the Bel Air doesn't look good, and that's a claim few cars have lived up to since. In fact, this car has been around for over half a century, but it still remains relevant and undeniably cool.
The immaculate '57 Bel Air seen here belongs to Murray Ralls, of Lakewood, California. It features an original-style restoration with a few custom touches, and is powered by a 283ci V8 and Tremec 5-speed manual transmission. Aside from the transmission swap, dual-exit exhaust, and a few other subtle modifications, the car appears to be mostly stock. We've seen our fair share of resto-modded Tri-Fives, so it's refreshing to see one that retains the original look. And honestly, this car doesn't need anything else—it's just about perfect as-is.
We could go on and on about the Tri-Five and its long-lasting impact on what it means to be a car guy, but this is one instance where we think the photos speak for themselves. This Matador Red coupe is art on wheels, full stop.
If you've got a Tri-Five Chevy—whether it's a 150, 210, Bel Air, or Nomad—Classic Industries has the parts you need to make it look its best. In fact, we offer an entire catalog dedicated to the '55-'57 cars, featuring thousands of restoration and performance parts and accessories. Click here to order a free catalog for your car.
