[gearheadds]

Hello Everybody!

I am new to the forum, but not new to the tri-five chevys. I had a 57 chevy a few years back that I was in the process of restoring, but never completed because of money. Now, I am considering purchasing a 57 chevy bel-air that seems to be in very good condition, but I had a few questions about it that I figured maybe you guys could help me with. I am located in NJ and the car is lcoated in NC. I have never purchased a car long distance like this before, so to be safe I had an inspection company go and take a look at it. Overall, they gave the car a pretty good review. They said the car seems to be very solid body and frame wise, but there is "Some waviness" in the body in some areas. The rear quarters look like they were modified to accept larger wheels. The paint is a 5 out of 10 and most of the chrome is in good condition. My main concern is the "waviness" and that the car has been undercoated. I had read somewhere before that undercoating could be masking bigger problems that are now hidden by the undercoating. The inspection company said they can't say for sure because they are not allowed to scrape off the undercoating, but it seems to be a very solid car. What do you guys think about the waviness and the undercoating? SHould I stear clear? I can upload pics if will help. I appreciate any help in advance.

Thanks

 

[Chevynut]

Did you get the inspection company to take any pics? Can you post them?

If I was looking for a car that I didn't want to do any bodywork on, I wouldn't be looking at one with cut out fenderwells. You could end up having to replace both quarters, and that might be the cause of the waviness. It's hard to weld on a quarter without warping it. JMHO.

 

[carls 56]

:hello: hi ya and welcome. good to have you here. great idea to get the car inspected. sounds like it got a good review. pics would help to get a better idea. :anim_25:

 

[gearheadds]

Thanks for the warm welcome!!

I ahve attached some pics. let me know what you guys think. I know I'm not buying a show car here, just a driver, so keep that in mind when looking at the pics. I just want a solid car that I can jump in and enjoy. The guy is asking 22,000. Do you guys think it is worth it for the money? I have been looking at 57's for a while and this one seems to be in very good shape for the price that he is asking.

 

[gearheadds]

Here are some more pics

 

[gearheadds]

Last ones

 

[mr 265]

arty0024:I would say take a road trip ,,NJ to NC is not that far a easy weekend ride ,drive the car make sure everything is working ,,then decide ,,you want to have fun and not turn it into a headache later ---good luck

 

[Wedwagon]

Where in North Carolina is the car located? Maybe one of TriFive members in North Carolina could help you out in determining if a trip is necessary or not....But I sure agree with Mr. 265 that some point I'd take that trip to North Carolina and check the car out in-person, if I was spending $22K I'd sure want to take it around the block a time or two for sure.

David

 

[petes83usa]

I personally would never buy a car sight unseen in person , good idea to make a road trip out of it and take her for a long spin....:bowtieb:

 

[gearheadds]

Its in Belmont NC.

I would love to take a road trip, but It would be kind of hard with work. That's why I figured an inspection company could be my eyes for me.

 

[Chevynut]

I'd almost bet that there's some rust repair or damage repair on the driver's quarter. Also, it may be just the picture but the door skin at the bottom looks "thick" to me, like there's a layer of filler there.

I personally wouldn't pay $22K for this car without seeing it, or having someone KNOWLEDGEABLE about trifives to take a look at it. I'm, not sure your "inspection service" is telling you everything. Did they check it out for filler with a magnet in some obvious places? I can't tell if the braces are rusty or not.

Have you talked to the owner about the history of the car? Where did it come from? How many original miles on it, if known? What repairs have been done. Lots of questions you could ask.

BTW, I don't see where the quarters look modified.

 

[55ChevDelray]

Any idea why it has California plates on it? That driver qtr does look wavey.
Looks like a fair car, but is there any chance to get it for a lower price?

 

[55]

I am not a fan of cars with undercoating which as said above, can mask a lot of issues. It looks like crap underneath IMO and somebody obviously didn't want to take it off the frame to clean it up and just sprayed it with under coating.

Again, just my opinion, but save your money and look for a better car. There's lot's of them for sale these days and when you find a nice looking frame and clean under carriage, you'll likely find a nice body goes with it.

Just an opinion...

 

[gearheadds]

Not sure why it has california plates. It is for sale at a classic car dealership. Oldtimeclassics.com.

So you guys think I should pass huh? If the guy is willing to come down in price, how much do you think is a fair price?

Thanks

 

[Chevynut]

I personally wouldn't be worried about undercoating. It may have pristine metal under it. But you can't tell without looking closely yourself. Personally I think I could tell if there was damage under it, or crappy repairs. Who cares if there are repairs that are well done?

I don't like the looks of the driver's quarter in the pic, and that would be my major concern. I'd also check the rest of the body for repairs. Having California plates may be a plus, if the car came from there originally.

 

[trifive]

The guy is asking 22,000.

Have you seen what 22,000 will buy on ebay for a 57 chevy, I would say buy it, you won't find a better car for that amount of money.
Even with rust that car it worth it in my opinion.

Otis

 

[Chevynut]

The website says $29,500. . It also says it's a "1957 BelAir Hard top post"

http://www.oldtimeclassics.com/CarDetail_14.htm

Looks like a pretty nice car to me, but I'd still want to see it. I'd sure try to talk to the owner directly. I'd be asking the dealership who it is to get some history on the car.

 

[55ChevDelray]

.

So you guys think I should pass huh? If the guy is willing to come down in price, how much do you think is a fair price?

Thanks

I think it's a fair car, certainly worth having. If i could get it for $15K, I'd think it was a good deal. I'd want to do a closer inspection before paying more. Like pulling back the carpet, running a magnet over it, checking the suspension (looks all stock), motor, trans, clutch, rear end. How's the interior look?

 

[gearheadds]

Yeah, according to the vin it is a belair. The vin starts with VC.

That's what's making think that I should try and get a few bucks off of the price, but still go for it, because for one it is a belair, and like "trifive" says, have you seen what 20 g's buys you on ebay? It doesn't seem like much these days I can tell you. People are asking a lot of money for cars that seem to be in worse shape than this one. Plus a lot of the cars on ebay are just 210 posts with belair trim. Really torn on this one guys! Like I said, my main concern is rust. Most other things on the car I can live with.

 

[Chevynut]

I think it's a fair car, certainly worth having. If i could get it for $15K, I'd think it was a good deal. I'd want to do a closer inspection before paying more. Like pulling back the carpet, running a magnet over it, checking the suspension (looks all stock), motor, trans, clutch, rear end. How's the interior look?

Check my link...looks pretty good for a driver.

I doubt you could buy it for $15K. The asking price on the website was $29500. It's worth more than $15K if it's solid as it looks, imo.