1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

All Original Car with a Great Story!

As is often the case with collector cars it is the story of its existence which makes it truly special. That is never truer than when dealing with an original, un-restored example. What many may deem ordinary becomes truly unique.

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air was purchased new by Mrs. Mildred Lineberry from Kidd Chevrolet located in Bland Virginia. She clearly wanted a comfortable car to drive and a perhaps had a bit of a heavy foot as she purchased it optioned with factory power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission and the desirable Power Pack options on the 283 engine giving it 4 bbl carburetor and dual exhaust. Factory finished in black with red interior, this Bel Air was also quite a looker. By 1974 Mrs. Lineberry had only managed to put a touch over 35,000 miles on her Chevrolet but still took it back to the dealer to be properly serviced. It was on one of these visits for service that Mr. Harry Rudder caught a glimpse of the very well maintained Bel Air and when the time finally came for the original owner to relinquish ownership, he quickly jumped at the opportunity. Mr. Rudder spent lots of time an effort maintaining the car to ensure it retained all its originality, he held onto tons of documentation including service invoices from the original owner, bill of sale from his purchase in 1974, original registration renewals, original owners manual, service records and even a travel/sewing kit given out by the original selling dealer to the original owner. But sadly as often has a tendency to happen, by 1990 Mr. Rudder was forced to put the car into storage in a barn where it would sit for the better part of two decades. Having been properly stored with the battery removed, plastic on the floors, it does show some signs of patina; however it has held up remarkably well and still retains to this day the original paint, interior and drivetrain. The carburetor was rebuilt and the gas tank replaced with an NOS unit and the car fired up instantly. Today it is an incredible car that still has that great unmistakably original feel to it. It still  only shows 49,874 miles, it has seen minimal use since day one and its condition is a true testament to the attention and care it has received by its previous owners. Ready to be shown or driven, whichever way the next proprietor chooses care for it!