1957 Chevrolet - HOT or HO-HUM

[rocketraider]

57 minutes ago, 8E45E said:

I think for me the most interesting first-gen Camaro I ever saw was  a very plain 1967 hardtop in dark (Nocturne?) blue metallic.  It was a 6-cylinder with column shift, and its only two options were an AM radio and block heater.  The owner inherited it from his grandfather who purchased it new.  I had to commend him for NOT changing it to a V8 or adding any more options to it.

 

Craig

 

8 minutes ago, Ed Luddy said:

There was a very plain 67 Camaro convertible close to my area for sale a few weeks ago that still had the original inline 6, PowerGide on the column and manual top, dog dish hubcaps. It looked great! The ad is gone and I'm betting it's getting a V8 stuffed in it now!

There was a high school boy here in early 00s who bought a very plain, low-option 69 Camaro from its original older lady owner. 307, Powerglide, power steering and airconditioning, and still wearing its original paint on a rust-free body.

 

He was determined to keep it that way and did until it got rear-ended hard and totaled several years into his ownership, by an idiot on a cell phone.

 

The local Camaro-heads were merciless worrying him to change it to a big block 4-speed car. He had it at a cruise night and one of them started in on him. He looked the guy in the eye and said, fairly ferociously, "why the f*** would I want to do that?" Guy started sputtering and 17-year-old Brandon had had enough. He told the guy "you give me 40 grand for it and when it's yours you can butcher it all you want, but as long as it's mine it's staying just like it is. So lay off."

 

I was proud of him and said so. The punk worrying him didn't like it when I busted out laughing, but sometimes you have to set things straight.😎

 

[1935Packard]

I think this is all a matter of, "COMPARED TO WHAT?"

 

If you assume a world where there are lots of pre-war cars, and interesting rare and oddball post-war cars, then the tri-five Chevies aren't very interesting.  They're very attractive, and they conjure an age, but they're not unusual.   

 

On the other hand, if you assume a world of modern cars, where a "vintage car" might be something from the 90s, and no one around has anything before 1970, then tri-five Chevies are pretty cool. They're very attractive, and they conjure an age. 

 

As for me, I think the '57s in particular are striking cars.  Not sure I'll ever get one, as I'm more of a pre-war person, but you never know. (I'm 51, for what it's worth.)

 

[1912Staver]

The older brother of a girl I went to High School with bought a 4 year old 1969 Camaro from a local Dentist who was the original owner. Very plain looking, non metallic medium green, dog dish caps. The 4 speed was a nice option as was the engine option.... A C.O.P.O.  427.

Even being the Ford fan I am,  I was a bit envious. Pretty nice car for a Chevy, even if it was a bit drab on the outside.

[carbking]

I didn't like the 1956 Chevy in 1956, still don't like any of the tri-fives.

 

Have had a lot of cars; with the exception of a couple that I bought cheap for a two-week flip, and one Chevy my Dad bought for me; ALL have been cars that I liked, and still do. Other than the flippers, have never bought a car as an investment; but have made money on several.

 

I really don't care if the car is popular, or rare. If I like it, then I like it.

 

To emphasize the above; 40 years ago I would have bought a Citi-Car if I could have licensed it in the state of Missouri. But I did like it!

 

As far as car shows go; will look at just about anything that is either a survivor, or well-done. A completely chromed under-hood, curb feelers, and fuzzy dice turn me off. So does paint cracking over 4 inches of Bondo. Not that there is anything wrong with them if the owner likes them; just not my cup of tea.

 

I like white cars with blue interior.

 

I like performance engines, either stock, or well engineered optioning (3x2 on a V-8 is an automatic turn-off).

 

I like fuel economy.

 

I like reliability (one shop truck made 440k before Missouri salt rusted it the third time).

 

I like cars without computers.

 

I DON'T like our 2021 computerized coffin!

 

But in the spirit of this thread; I WILL look at a well-done or survivor tri-five, Mustang, or Model A.

 

If the owner of the car is happy; then so am I.

 

Jon

Edited June 20, 2022 by carbking (see edit history)

[1912Staver]

What's the short falling of 3 x 2 bbl carbs ? The Ford FE factory set up seemed to be decent. But I expect you have a lot more experence with them than I do.

[bryankazmer]

5 minutes ago, 1912Staver said:

What's the short falling of 3 x 2 bbl carbs ? The Ford FE factory set up seemed to be decent. But I expect you have a lot more experence with them than I do.

there are different ways to do this.  the Olds J2 ran on the middle one at lower throttle opening and the end ones could gum up if not exercised.

[carbking]

48 minutes ago, 1912Staver said:

What's the short falling of 3 x 2 bbl carbs ? The Ford FE factory set up seemed to be decent. But I expect you have a lot more experence with them than I do.

Lets not hijack the thread on this, call or maybe we might start a new thread sometime.

 

Jon

[Buffalowed Bill]

43 minutes ago, carbking said:

Lets not hijack the thread on this, call or maybe we might start a new thread sometime.

 

Jon

I think that it's too late to worry about the thread being hijacked.

 

After six decades in the hobby I often times find myself at odds with what is trending. Today I'm at peace with my collection. I like all cars, but I'm drawn to preserved, original, cars, regardless of age manufacturer or the continent on which it was produced. I admit to being drawn to the seldom seen cars, the more original the better.

 

What is troubling to me is that so many people in the hobby seem to be so provincial regarding their car interests. So many people that I talk to seem to have an attention span that is limited to a single decade or a single marque. There are far more metrics then make and model that can pique my interest. I would find these limits very limiting and boring. Today I can find cars to like everywhere. My level of appreciation didn't happen overnight, and it has certainly been aided by what I believe is a level of maturity, call it old age.🙂 It has allowed me to view someone else's car without feeling jealous, or needing to own it. I'm also a sucker for a good story. 

 

Now that I have that off my chest on to the original question. I like tri-five Chevs just fine. I would have bought a 1955 back in 1961 when I was looking for my first car, but they were unaffordable. A 1953-54 Chev would have been doable but I ended up with a 1953 Studebaker htp. Today I don't spend a great deal of time viewing 3/5's, but I try to show some appreciation to an owner who has made an effort to preserve or restore an original car. All that to say it all depends on the car.

[Bryan G]

When I was 14 (mid-80s) Dad asked what kind of car we should be looking for; I knew what I didn't want (a Camaro or Firebird) but at that age I couldn't conjure up an image of what I did want...except a 57 Chevy. Dad said that was too old...so we ended up fixing up a 67 Chevy. And...it was a good choice. I do like the tri-fives, but rarely walk over them at shows and have no desire to ever own one. As with so many other guys, I've just seen too many.

[Pfeil]

13 hours ago, Bryan G said:

When I was 14 (mid-80s) Dad asked what kind of car we should be looking for; I knew what I didn't want (a Camaro or Firebird) but at that age I couldn't conjure up an image of what I did want...except a 57 Chevy. Dad said that was too old...so we ended up fixing up a 67 Chevy. And...it was a good choice. I do like the tri-fives, but rarely walk over them at shows and have no desire to ever own one. As with so many other guys, I've just seen too many.

For me, not too many, just too many modified.

[1912Staver]

I have always been open to what I call sensible modifications. Things like newer 5 speeds replacing 1950's and 60's weak and expensive , 4 speed sports car gearboxes. Or rack and pinion steering conversions on things like TR 3's and older Morgans. The old British worm and peg steering boxes leave a lot to be desired, and parts are in most  cases  either non existent or extremely expensive. . Specialist small batch production.

The factory fitted R& P eventually. Triumph right after the TR3 , on the TR 4. Morgan stayed with a conventional steering box for many years , but even they eventually fitted R&P. 

 I can only see modifications like this as a true improvement. It makes the car much nicer to drive, particularly if you are replacing a badly worn worm and peg box that no one can rebuild without taking out a second mortgage.

 It can also be a good time to change a R.HD. car to L.H.D.

 

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by 1912Staver (see edit history)

[76 Caddy]

Okay, I've decided to add my 2 cents.  I was born in 1966 and when I became infected with the "car" bug (parents claim I could spot a Cadillac when I was 6) my grandparents had a 1955 2 door post which they kept well into the '80's and later my dad had a '55 as well and my uncle had a few '57's but I was never attracted to the tri-5's.  Like several have said, I usually don't stop and look at them at car shows because around here they are a dime a dozen.  I would like to have a '58 Impala but that is a pipe dream along with getting an original '67-'69 Camaro with a 6 and column shift automatic but hey, one can dream.  Honestly though, I am very contented with the ones I have.

 

Tim 

[Steve_Mack_CT]

So this thread leads me to an observation that most of us here tend to have wide interests.  While I am in the minority here in that I might like another tri five and still have a couple other relatively common cars on my want list, I do appreciate a lot of unusual ones as well.

 

I think tri fives, Mustangs, Model As, etc. are so well served by specialty forums we see fewer fans here.  What does it mean, not much really, except that is likely where the tri five fans are hiding. 🤔😊

Edited June 22, 2022 by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Here is mine after paint but still needing bumpers.  Adding insult to injury of a bad trade decision are the horrible overexposed pictures, ugh!

Edited June 22, 2022 by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)

[Pfeil]

Reminds me of an old 124 Kodak print.

 

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by Pfeil (see edit history)

[rocketraider]

7 hours ago, Steve_Mack_CT said:

Here is mine after paint but still needing bumpers.  Adding insult to injury of a bad trade decision are the horrible overexposed pictures, ugh!

I thought all pictures from back then looked that way!😃

 

That is a nice looking original/restored as original 56 Two-Ten. Not as "overexposed" as your typical full-dresser 57 BelAir and certainly hasn't had the whole option book plus JC Whitney catalog thrown at it!

[Steve_Mack_CT]

@rocketraider, thanks!  Not a bad job for a 21 year old I think.  265 PG all original.   Admittedly I upgraded wheelcovers! 😁

 

I was aware of 5 or 6 other tri fives in town, this may have been the only 100% stock one though.

Edited June 23, 2022 by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)

[rocketraider]

Two-Tens could have full wheelcovers! I kinda like them over BelAirs because the trim is cleaner. 

 

If I were going after a Tri-Five the Fifty-Six would be the one. Probably a two-door sedan.

 

Growing up, a neighbor lady had one that she bought new, drove for years and kept immaculate. It met its end in late 70s thanks to Bambi standing stupidly in the highway, less than a mile from Miss Rosa's home.

 

Now, the car would have been repaired, but at that time it was a 23 year old used car with no collector following and was totalled.

 

She replaced it with a black 73 Galaxie sedan that just didn't have the panache the 56 did.

[MarkV]

I have a slightly different take. To my generation of car collectors 57 chevies, muscle cars of the 60s, etc are boring mid life crisis boomer mobiles.
 

These cars were and still are in droves at hamburger restaurant car shows. They are the cars that have the entire JC Whitney catalog of parts and the fake drive in food and the fake baby doll crying on the fender and the owner who won’t let anyone near their car. Yes you know him The grumpy boomer with the Hawaiian shirt who got a career job straight out of high school and has now been there for 40 years and was able to retire at 55 and inherited a boatload from his ‘Greatest Generation’ parents who lived like poppers and were able to leave a million or so to him as a result.
 

Yet he is still grumpy and angry that his youth left him and he went from exciting to ‘the man in the gray flannel suit.’ he of course is angry and confused that his Millenial oldest kid is off living their own life and his Gen Z youngest kid has no interest in anything he does. Probably something to do with the fact he never included them in the car hobby, afraid his beloved 57 Chevy would get fingerprints on it. 
 

Then they all stand around and give awards to the best 57 Chevies. Basically who spent the most $$$. This same group brought rise to Barrett Jackson and everyone thinking their Garbage was worth a fortune. Further pricing teens and young people out of the market. 
 

meanwhile the kid down the way with a cool 70s luxo boat is ignored and looked sideways at. Little does the grumpy boomer realize that that 70s car is fifty years old and is as much of a classic as his 57 Chevy was when he bought it in 2007. Grumpy boomer can’t admit this to himself because it would mean he would have to admit that he himself is old. If anything the 70s Luxo boat is harder to restore with limited availability and plastic parts. 
 

even in this post people are finding hard to imagine that something with the name Camry could be collectible. Time moves on and I’ve done other posts about the younger generations and why they aren’t in the classic car realm. Anytime I see a ‘car show’ with these spiffed up cars and hot rods I drive right past it. 
 

original cars and ones restored to like original are awesome these 57 chevies hot rods and muscle cars are boring as heck. 

Edited June 23, 2022 by MarkV (see edit history)

[Steve_Mack_CT]

2 hours ago, rocketraider said:

Two-Tens could have full wheelcovers! I kinda like them over BelAirs because the trim is cleaner. 

 

If I were going after a Tri-Five the Fifty-Six would be the one. Probably a two-door sedan.

 

Trader, it took me four or five years to get this car.  It was an original owner car, every gearhead kid in my town was after it.  Owner woukd string us along.  I showed up w my father to show serious intent, a shrewd 15 year old indeed.  We negotiated $450, and showed up with the cash a couple nights later.  Nope.  I remember keeping my composure while wanting to smack this guy.  He changed his mind and couldn't part with it.  A few years later, after he sold it to a neighbor, I asked him about it on a whim.  He had just been laid off!  But, he wanted a grand.  Jeez.  Well, I had it and so it goes...  interior was pristine, I did just about everything mechanical and sent it to bodyshop for body and paint.  In the pic the springs were still settling, the 265 ran like a bear and...

[76 Caddy]

MarkV

 

You are EXACTLY right.  That is the way the guys around here act at car shows and cruise ins.

 

Tim

[TAKerry]

2 minutes ago, 76 Caddy said:

MarkV

 

You are EXACTLY right.  That is the way the guys around here act at car shows and cruise ins.

 

Tim

I hate to agree, but I am thinking you guys are correct. My car is 1977, closing in on 50 years old, but I am sure there are many that think its too new! I love(d) going to shows 1. for a place to drive to 2. to look at all of the cool old cars there. Lately the above statement seems more the norm than not. I was at a very large show last saturday, prob 200+ cars. I parked, walked around looking, tried to strike up a conversation with a few people but they were too absorbed with their own self importance to reciprocate. After being there for about 20 minutes I realized the 45 minute drive there and back was much more entertaining, so out the door I went. 

Years ago I spent a lot of time on the Golf course. Until the prices started getting too high and the snobbery level was beyond my limit. Then I started touring/riding motorcycles. I had a comment that I met far more decent people on 2 wheels than I had ever on the golf course. Then it became the 'in thing' to ride a harley and it seemed the golf course crowd moved in that direction. It got to a point that riding my bike was not that fun, def. have no desire to go where other 'bikers' go. Now the car show clique's are in the forefront. Maybe its just me!!

[rocketraider]

It ain't just you, Kerry. People being what they are, a lot of 'em latch onto whatever is perceived as the latest cool and expensive thing to have.

 

I worked with a crowd who got into Harleys, and I hate to say it but pressed chinos and Sperry Topsiders with no socks just don't fit with a Harley. Or any other big touring bike.

 

I've become friends with a Honda tuner kid who works at a pizza joint I frequent. He likes American cars as well but he's said more than once 90% of the people who own them are jerks and look down on him and his import buddies, if they'll even speak.

 

Thinking about it, it's not the cars, it's the owners that turn a lot of people off to old cars. If I'm honest with myself I'm guilty too.

[John348]

3 hours ago, 76 Caddy said:

MarkV

 

You are EXACTLY right.  That is the way the guys around here act at car shows and cruise ins.

 

Tim

 I think Mark has a lot of valid points, I am in that 'boomer' age group, but on the other hand I have been doing this since I was 12 years old. I know the self absorbed characters he refers to, who own the cruise night specials, and I avoid that entire scene. Local car shows I find boring, I will attend with guys from my local region to hang out for awhile, but...... for the most part it's a pretty lame scene on Long Island (for me anyway) So maybe it is not the commonalty of 57 Chevy's, or that I have just seen too many that make me walk past, maybe it is the owners I just don't care for?  There is a huge local show (300-400 cars) 2 miles from house this weekend I doubt I will even go as a spectator.

 

I would not be critical of those who question the Camry for collectability, but one has to admit it really does not have any WOW factor, to me it just seems like another bland design from that era

Edited June 23, 2022 by John348 (see edit history)

[Steve_Mack_CT]

I kind of get it but, as a lifer as well I have run across great guys in each corner to counter any snobby tri five/whatever car one labels as a boomer's car guys, MG guys, Corvette guys, Packard guys, Model A& T guys, and so on.

 

Pursue what you like, and you will find the right folk eventually.

[1912Staver]

I am a boomer, but my muscle car period was when I was reasonably young. Late 1970's up to the 1990's. And usualy a MGA or MGB as a daily driver. All my muscle cars were just the best , cheap examples of the cars I liked. Big block, ram air, 4 speed whenever possible. And all of them were just user grade on the outside. Under the skin they were as up to snuff as my somewhat limited budget would allow. I let the BB torque do the work and not rev the snot out of them as I ran through the gears. 

 0 % show queen , 100 % road warrior . Like Ed says , drive it like you stole it. And I certainly did. Big packet of tickets as proof and even a couple of " driving vacations ". Great times, and best of all I survived. If I still had one that was running , { there is still one tucked inside one of my sheds, 428  CJ , ram air but it hasn't ran in over 25 years}  I might enter one show a year and probably not even that many. 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2022 by 1912Staver (see edit history)