57 Chevy 150 - A couple of questions

[msf85086]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to buy a 55 or 57 Belair and found a 57 150 that was once a show winner about 25 years ago. Is is solid, straight, frame off restore and still looks good ..350 - 4 bolt main with 4 speed . paint is good from 10 feet but faded and scratched a little up close ..Frame and suspension, etc all still look very clean, only 5000 miles on it since it was restored 25 years ago ... the guy tore out the original seats and put late model Caprice seats in. 3 questions to help me decide whether or not to but this car :

1. Is $16,000 too much to pay for this car?
2. About what would it cost to get 2 57 chevy seats then replace the entire interior with the OEM vinyl and cloth seats?
3. What would it cost to replace the 150 trim with all the Belair trim before I get it repainted?

Thanks for your help .... Mark

[trifive]

Please post some pictures here so we can see better if it is worth the price.

Assuming it is a 2 door post we are talking about.

The seat. a used 1957 front seat for a 2 door goes for around 500-600 dollar range, and the rear seat usually gets around the 200 dollar range. if you can find one..

Now getting them covered is all over the price range , most upholstery shops range from 1500 to 4500 from what I have found I am sure their are other prices, but you can get a seat cover kit from Danchuck and do the job your self and save some money, Thats what Mike did, although I don't know where he bought the kit, he did all the install.

Now me , I am lucky their is a local guy here in Ky, that will do the entire car, interior, headliner, and trunk for 1000.00, but don't expect to find that price anywhere else.

I have seen his work and it is very good.

Hope this helps a little.

as far as the bel-air stainless, some of it you can get new, But the beltline kit, the 12 piece set that goes around the windows is not reproduced and if you can find a used set, it easily goes for 600.00 or more.

THe price of the side stainless etc, can be found on dancuck or cars inc etc.

Otis:)

[StarCityGene]

If it is a "150" leave it a "150" it worth more in the long run!! Fewer "150's" are around which ups the vaue. (IMO)

[Ratpackin]

Yes - leave the baby a 150! :tu I love the Bel Air - but it's much more rare to see a nice 150. I like the clean lines (but then I'm a bit partial) Check the history of the "Black Widow" Chevy 150s - no one could touch 'em.
- oh if you're willing to make a business coupe - you wont even need a rear seat - ;)
Good luck.

[chevender]

If it is a "150" leave it a "150" it worth more in the long run!! Fewer "150's" are around which ups the vaue. (IMO)

I agree, For 16000 you can buy a good belair 2 door post with the original seats still in it.
Rick

[WSSmolick]

I also vote for leaving it a 150. I like the Bel Air, but it is also nice to see a 150 every now and then. It bothers me when I see a faked BelAir.

[Frisco 57]

Mark,
If you want a Belair, look for a Belair. Don't mess with the trim on a 150!:eek:
I am however an active member in good standing of 150 admiration society. :D(check my Garage)

It's hard to tell without seeing pictures but 16k for a good Trifive is a good price.

[Chevy57Ray]

Hi, mine was a 150 and only the side SS molding change it a lot. The rest is a 150. Look for what your heart tell, you woun't miss. Large modif cost a bundle and may not be more appreciate. Keep looking...

[jonny210]

It all depends on what kind of budget you are talking about and what kind of Iron you can find by you. In the Rust Belt of PA if you can find a nice rust free car $16000 is not a great price but reasonable.

As far as the trim goes I would have to side with finding a Belair if thats what you want. But remember its your car make it what you want don't matter who says what!;);)

[MightyMouse57]

My personal opinion here. I have always believed to leave a car what it is and don't make it into something it isn't. I appreciate a car for what it truly is, not a fake or a "clone". As others here said, the 150's are likely the rarest of all.

Just my 2 cents.

[ETriggs]

My next trifive will be a 150 post (dont care what year). I vote for keeping it a 150!!!!

[bluemax68g]

Mark : Check out www.Greatoldcars.com, cars-on-line.com, Oldride.com & classiccars.com (put the WWW.in front of all) if you're looking for a belair or just to compare 150 prices. I've seen them around 15k & higher. Love those Red Belair 2dr Ht's ! but man r they high as the dickens now :-(

Troy

[dseale4888]

That is not a bad price if the car is as good as you described. Leave it as a 150 though.
Dave

[4-SPEED]

Go for the "Belair" look and sell me you 150 trim!
That's a good price for an old Hot Rod.

Love those 150's

Dennis

[bluemax68g]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to buy a 55 or 57 Belair and found a 57 150 that was once a show winner about 25 years ago. Is is solid, straight, frame off restore and still looks good ..350 - 4 bolt main with 4 speed . paint is good from 10 feet but faded and scratched a little up close ..Frame and suspension, etc all still look very clean, only 5000 miles on it since it was restored 25 years ago ... the guy tore out the original seats and put late model Caprice seats in. 3 questions to help me decide whether or not to but this car :

1. Is $16,000 too much to pay for this car?
2. About what would it cost to get 2 57 chevy seats then replace the entire interior with the OEM vinyl and cloth seats?
3. What would it cost to replace the 150 trim with all the Belair trim before I get it repainted?

Thanks for your help .... Mark

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NICE-ROCK-SOLID-57-CHEVY_W0QQitemZ300209602057QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m300209602057

[bluemax68g]

[QUOTE=msf85086;3842]Hi everyone,

I am trying to buy a 55 or 57 Belair and found a 57 150 that was once a show winner about 25 years ago. Is is solid, straight, frame off restore and still looks good ..350 - 4 bolt main with 4 speed . paint is good from 10 feet but faded and scratched a little up close ..Frame and suspension, etc all still look very clean, only 5000 miles on it since it was restored 25 years ago ... the guy tore out the original seats and put late model Caprice seats in. 3 questions to help me decide whether or not to but this car :

1. Is $16,000 too much to pay for this car?
2. About what would it cost to get 2 57 chevy seats then replace the entire interior with the OEM vinyl and cloth seats?
3. What would it cost to replace the 150 trim with all the Belair trim before I get it repainted?

Mark: check this out before you buy !

troy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/57-chevy-rare-solid-2door-like-55-56_W0QQitemZ180227532170QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item18 0227532170

[Chevynut]

Many of these cars have been modified so much that it really doesn't matter what you change unless you're trying to restore the car to original. That said, if you really want a BelAir, I would keep shopping and find a BelAir. If you'r etrying to change a 57 150 to a Belair, you'd have to weld up the side trim holes and re-drill them. $16K isn't a bad price for a solid car, depending on what else it needs. A 57 150's trim is kinda unique, and it grows on you. IMO I like the Belair stainless around the windows of a tri-5 sedan. ;)

[carls 56]

hey!!! what about 56's?:mad::mad: just kidding.;)

[garlok]

I saw a two-tone '57 150 that was absolutely stunning, in that it had the white not just on the roof but the upper part of the rear body, like you can do with a '56. That car really knocked me out. So, my opinion is, sure, do whatever floats your boat..but don't think a Belair is the only way to go!

[ettel80]

hey mark i have a 57 2 door wagon 150 I really need the quater panel trim and door spear i've looked everywhere and no luck if you could help me i would greatly appriciate it my number is 702-340-5644 i live in las vegas ...I tied ordering the trim off the 1955 2 door sedan from danchuck but it was too short

[Wedwagon]

If you buy it, keep it a 150.....if you really want a BelAire then wait, you will find one that rots your socks for a price you'll be willing to pay. If I were making a clone out of that car then I'd make it a clone of a Utility Sedan rather than a BelAire post. Go find a 57 OneFifty Utility Sedan at a Cruise Night.......

David aka "Wedwagon"

[Frisco 57]

hey mark i have a 57 2 door wagon 150 I really need the quater panel trim and door spear i've looked everywhere and no luck if you could help me i would greatly appriciate it my number is 702-340-5644 i live in las vegas ...I tied ordering the trim off the 1955 2 door sedan from danchuck but it was too short

Sorry, you've discribed one of the rarest pieces of stainless trim in the tri five world. They are not produced after market and appear only on the 57 150 model. I recently heard of a guy needing and finding all four of those 150"spear" pieces...price...$1200:(:anim_25:

[557B210]

This is an example of one fine '57 150 model:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e385/55B210/P1010929.jpg?t=1251125756

[Vetteman61]

This is an example of one fine '57 150 model:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e385/55B210/P1010929.jpg?t=1251125756

Wow, that's my car (except mine has the 235). When I get new tires, I'm going for the wide white walls next time. They'll be a pain to keep clean like on the other car, but I think they look much better.

I got my car from an old lady who was the original owner. She had parked it in her garage 10 years ago (at the time) and hadn't driven it. I went to look at it with the hopes of finding a bel air or 210. I didn't know anything about 150's at the time. When I first saw it, I was very let down to learn it was a 150. I had first intended to change it to a Bel Air as well. After buying the car and learning about the history of the 150 I began to appreciate it much more and I'm glad I left it alone.

Also, I had originally thought because my car was almost as basic and low-optioned of a car as you could get, it would not garner that much attention and I could drive it without people constantly staring. I liked this idea because sometimes the attention in my 60 cadillac can get very annoying (when i can afford to drive it). I found that people loved the 150 as much as a Bel Air because the people who aren't into old cars don't know the difference and anyone who knows anything about old cars never see a 150 and absolutely love it.

Brandon

[Project 57 Ak]

I have one of the only, if not the only, 57 150's in the state of Alaska. It's still not on the road yet. But it still gets a lot of attention from my customers that come into my shop.

Occasionally, some one will ask if I'm going to turn it into a Bel Air. This is after I explain to them the difference in a Bel Air and a 150. My response is always, NO!!! To me, a 150 is so much more unique, and I have grown to really like the simplicity of the 150 trim.

I'd say the price seems to be fair, but I wouldn't change the trim.

Bill.

[ROXROD]

I've got the only '56 150 on my block! Keep 'em all 150's!

[Watchdog]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e385/55B210/P1010929.jpg?t=1251125756

I would love to have that car! It's Beautiful!!!!! Just as beautiful and unique as a BelAir in my opinion.

[mickeywestsr]

Hoss, I too wold like to see pictures.

[4door]

Hi, I would keep it a 150, theres a guy down the street from me that has one black on black, looks nice.:)

You should check craigslist.