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.

Nature can be cruel, and what it does to classic cars sitting outside in the elements isn't pretty. It's always sad to see a vehicle sitting in a field or barn, waiting for someone to rescue and restore it. Dylan McCool, whose YouTube videos we've featured here before, certainly understands this feeling. In his most recent episode, he takes on the challenge of getting this forlorn 1957 Chevy 210 wagon to run and drive again. It's not easy, since the Chevy hasn't moved under its own power in more than 40 years!

For vintage car enthusiasts, particularly those who have a soft spot for the iconic 1955-1957 Chevrolet models—known collectively as the “Tri-Five Chevys”—having access to original parts and accessories is essential for both restoration and customization. Classic Industries, one of the leading suppliers of restoration parts for classic cars, has long been a go-to resource for restoring these timeless vehicles. The Classic Industries 1955-1957 Chevrolet Parts and Accessories Catalog is an indispensable guide for anyone looking to bring their Tri-Five Chevrolet back to its original splendor or enhance it with custom parts.

"When you think of an American hot rod, you think of a '32 Ford with a Chevy motor. The second biggest hot rod is probably the Tri Five Chevy, the '55, '56, and '57, with the '57 being the one everybody lusted after the most," remarked Jay Leno in a recent episode of his show Jay Leno's Garage. He continued, "For guys of a certain age, like my age, this was the cool car to have. When I was in high school, these were 10 or 15 years old and you could get them at a reasonable price." In this episode, Leno rides with John Paul DeJoria in his '57 Bel Air powered by a 750-horsepower Lingenfelter LT4 V8.

When it comes to restoring a classic car, there are different schools of thought. Some restorers prefer to keep as much original sheetmetal as possible, which usually requires repair and patching of rusty or damaged areas. Others prefer buying original-style reproduction panels, which greatly reduces labor and ensures every seam and contour is where it should be. The good news is that Classic Industries caters to both — we have patch panels for original sheetmetal and a huge selection of reproduction body panels, too. A recent article from our friends at Modern Rodding shows both options in action on their 1955 Chevy restoration project.

For a skilled painter, every inch of a vehicle's sheet metal is blank canvas. Adding vivid color, depth, and gloss is an extremely painstaking process, but the results speak for themselves. This 1957 Chevy built by Kelly & Son Crazy Painters in California is a perfect example of how much a great paint job can transform a vehicle. However, a closer look will reveal that there's also a lot of intricate metalwork, electronics, and a potent 600-horsepower supercharged V8 under the hood. AutotopiaLA interviewed Mitch Kelly of Crazy Painters about all the details of this '57 Chevy.

In 1976, Classic Industries started from a humble beginning selling reproduction carpet kits for the first-generation Camaro. That very same year, our friends at Danchuk started producing their very first 1955-57 "Tri-Five" Chevy restoration part (a '57 park light lens). Over the decades, both companies have grown in parallel. In 2012, we began working together when we introduced our 1955-57 Chevy catalog containing several parts manufactured by Danchuk. This week, Danchuk announced that it will no longer be selling parts directly to consumers, but don't worry! Classic Industries will continue to carry and sell the Danchuk Chevy 150, 210, Bel Air parts you know and love.

Classic cars often carry powerful memories of time spent together with family members. Whether it's the result of wrenching on the car, going to shows, or simply cruising together, these special vehicles develop into an extension of the bond between spouses, siblings, or parents and their children. This '57 Bel Air belonged to Louie Breceda's father for 45 years, so when he passed away, Louie inherited it and preserved it. In a way, Louie's dad lives on through this car.

The Tri Five Chevy models built by General Motors in 1955, 1956, and 1957 changed substantially with each passing year. Body panels, grilles, lighting, trim, interior colors, and exterior colors all differed from year to year. In addition to these standard features, Chevrolet offered a variety of optional features for '55, '56, and '57 models. These options ranged from common choices, such as two-tone paint and whitewall tires, to much rarer choices. Read on for a list of 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevy option codes, descriptions, and original prices.