My love for Chevy's started when I was growing up and I heard stories from my Father and Mother about Dad's 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 Dr Post. They both agreed that it was the best car they ever owned and as most, regretted ever selling the car.
Years later when I was a Police Officer at Pinellas Park, my Partner and I received permission to leave jurisdiction and follow-up on a theft lead south of 62 Ave N on Haines Road. As we crossed over and into St. Petersburg I noticed a huge amount of classic cars behind an old house. I particularly remember a 1957 Chevy Hardtop. I thought to myself....I would really like to own a 57 one day.
A few years later I decided to start looking for a 57 Chevy with some help from my friend Dave. Dave is a huge Chevy fan, collector and restorer. Over the years he has restored and sold everything from the basic Camaro to a propane fire breathing Corvette to a real Yenko Nova. He currently has a 63 Nova SS and a 72 Nova (which he is restoring). Dave has an unnatural ability to find classic Chevy metal locally and at very reasonable prices. When Dave found out I had about 20 Franklins the search was on! One day as we were working on his 63 Nova Dave informed me he thought he found me a 57 off of Haines Rd. Could it be? Nah... But sure enough when I followed Dave over it is at the same location. However the scene had changed dramatically. No more classic Chevy gold mine. Only the lone weathered looking 57 sitting out in front of this old wooden Florida house. We talked with an old Puerto Rican guy running a used car lot next to the house and he informed us that the “old” man passed away and his sons sold everything except this 57 Chevy. The car dealer told us that the sons want “too much” “moolah, moolah” (money) and the car was a “wreck”. However if we wanted we could call the owners at the number on the “for rent” sign that is in front of the old house. I jotted down the number. As I was writing the number Dave found a hole in the fence where a Hurricane had moved a fence post “over”. Dave and I scrambled through the break and took a look at the car. All I could say was “wow”. It was all there. The original 4 bbl 283 with Power Pack Heads, power steering, power brakes, heater delete, Power Glide Transmission and the original rear end. By Vin # a true 1957 V8 Chevy Bel Air 2 Dr HT. In addition it has all the stainless, seats, windows etc. Now the reality check. The car was in “very rough” shape. I could see where grass had grown up through the rust holes and into the back seat and the engine compartment. This project would be more of a “resurrection” than a “restoration”. Thus I told Dave “Let's Do It”!
HERE IS THE CAR AS I FOUND IT
I contacted the “sons” and found out that they are willing to sell. Especially the “older” brother. We agreed upon a very reasonable price. In talking to the older brother I found out that he is a Lieutenant at Pinellas Park Fire Department. We had even gone on a few calls together. The “older” brother tells me his Dad was and “younger” brother is very sentimental about their cars and when his Dad passed away it took a lot of effort to sell all the vehicles behind the house that sits on about 2 acres. The last car to go was the 57 which his “younger” brother was reluctant to sell. After a few calls his brother agreed and facilitated the title transfer. As a side note this “younger” brother like his father has a couple of “unrestored” cars. A 1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible and a 1969 Plymouth Cuda Mod Squad. “My Gosh!”, is all I could say when I saw them just sitting there at his house rusting away.
With car in possession I started disassembly and thus bagging and tagging.
57 CHEVY SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY
It became very apparent that the body would need extensive body work. Thus Dave recommended I come over to the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona to see what we could find... What?????? I had no idea what Dave had planned but he did! :-) Sure enough Dave found a guy selling a 57 Chevy Bel Air 2 Dr HT Body w/o engine, transmission. However, the car had everything else including the title. And as per Dave's uncanny ability the car was very “reasonably priced” and in Orlando! Needless to say four months later to my wife's chagrin two old 57 Chevy's are sitting in front of my house!!! My son remarked as the second car was being pulled into the driveway. “Oh No Not Another One!!!”. My son “loves” the old “Hot Rod” and has helped me all throughout the tear down and current build up. I am starting early and training the next Chevy Generation!
SECOND CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH DAVE AND KIDS
I am currently re-building my car with the help of my friend Gary who owns his own company that builds and restores brakes and suspensions. He is a great friend and I could not have gotten this far without his help. Gary and I are done with the frames and are working on the Engine(s), drivetrains and bodies.
Needless to say building a car at this magnitude is a labor of love and takes a lot of people and time. My goal has been and is that every week I will get something accomplished on the 57. And you know what?....because of this the the car is moving forward. I get sincere joy out of working on the car and I recommend anyone thinking of doing this to join TBCCC or any car club where you can get help and advice as needed.
Dale Seiter
