Iconic 50s Cars: 1957 Chevy Bel Air vs1957 Cadillac Series62

Few decades have the same nostalgia as the 1950s. Drive ins, soda fountains, Elvis, and, of course, the cars. With the economy - and the U.S. population - still growing after WWII and people moving out to the suburbs, automobiles with space for families and convenient new features were in demand by consumers in the 50s.

Automakers delivered. Styles in the post-war years dictated bright colors and sleek, sweeping lines. By the mid-1950s, GM was a top automotive manufacturer and refined their popular designs to continue targeting the new, middle class American family. In 1957, GM had 2 cars in production that would become icons of the 1950s - the Chevy Bel Air and the Cadillac Series 62.

Outside, each of these cars showcased long bodies, jewel tones, tail fins, and chrome accents. Inside, they were roomy and had enough power under the hood to compete with other cars of the day.

Today, these two of these cars are iconic pieces of classic Americana. They are fun to drive, fun to show, and can be worth a significant amount of money. When you are considering which to add to your garage or make your next restoration project, here are some important factors to consider when deciding which model is right for you.

Iconic Design with the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

The Bel Air was not a car model, but rather the highest end trim for the 1957 Chevy. Yet the Bel Air has become so recognizable as the car of the late 1950s that it has gained a reputation of its own. The lower end trims for 1957 - the 150 and 210 - have similar looks and can be a great alternative project if you don’t want to invest in a Bel Air.

What made the 1957 Chevy Bel Air stand out from other years was its style. The body was long and low. Chrome and gold accents were abundant, from the front grille that spanned the width of the car and the tips of the tailfins. Those tailfins were at their most prominent, although still tame compared to the Cadillac. The Bel Air was the height of late 1950s automotive fashion.

The dashboard and two-tone upholstery inside matched the exterior color, along with interior chrome accents. Families loved the Bel Air for its spacious interior. Optional features included power steering, power windows, power seats, seatbelts, and air conditioning, although the last two were rarely ordered.

Chevy offered the 1957 Bel Air in 7 different body styles:

• Bel Air 2 Door Sedan
• Bel Air 4 Door Sedan
• Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop Sedan
• Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
• Bel Air 2 Door Convertible
• Bel Air 2 Door Station Wagon
• Bel Air 4 Door Station Wagon

The 4 door sedan and sport coupe were the most numerous, while the 2 door station wagon, called the Nomad Wagon, had only 6,000 produced. Today, the sport coupe and the convertible are most in demand by collectors.

The Chevy Bel Air provided more than desirable options and fashion. It also had more than enough power for the average consumer. The 1957 Bel Air was available with an inline 6 engine, a V8, and a fuel injection V8, which was rare and is now highly sought after. Transmissions available for in 1957 were the:

• 3 Speed Manual
• 2 Speed Powerglide Automatic
• 2 Speed Turboglide Automatic

There was an optional overdrive as well. With the right combination of features, the Bel Air could go fast. 1957 Bel Airs with the fuel injection engine raced and won in NASCAR at the time.

Chevy Bel Air Restoration Pros and Cons

Because the Bel Air was so popular in its time, it is far from a rare car. Chevy produced over 700,000 cars with the Bel Air trim in 1957. The years before and after had similar production numbers for vehicles with very similar parts and trims. This makes finding the various parts you need to get an old Chevy Bel Air running again relatively easy.

There is also a great market for replacement parts produced by third parties. Many considered the 1957 Chevy Bel Air an instant classic, and parts manufacturers have long been creating replica and performance mechanical parts to fit Bel Airs. You can find a range of vintage car parts for electrical, ignition, lighting, accessories, and other components at Vintage Auto Garage for Bel Airs from 1957 and other years.

Many classic restoration auto shops are experienced with bodywork on Bel Airs. Some specialize entirely on the Bel Air and you can find trusted experts to help you with any parts of the restoration you do not want to manage on your own.

Still, most vintage car restorers find the Bel Air is generally straightforward to work on and there are many resources online to guide them. The original parts were well made and not prone to breaking. Repairs for rust and general aging and wear may be all that is needed mechanically.

Defining Design of the Cadillac Eldorado and Cadillac DeVille

While the Chevy Bel Air was designed as an affordable car for the average American family, the Cadillac was the equivalent vehicle for those looking for luxury. Cadillac offered special features and superior mechanics on their Series 62, with the Eldorado and Coupe de Ville as the two most popular trim styles.

The visually defining features on the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado and 1957 Cadillac Coupe de Ville were the impressive tail fins and the dual bullet tail lights. Other changes for this year were the implementation of an X-body frame that made the car longer and lower but did not sacrifice interior space. This was another high fashion look for 1950s automobiles and a sleeker approach to the more boxy Bel Air as the Cadillacs transitioned to the memorable 1960s models.

In 1957, Cadillac offered the Series 62 in several different body styles and trims including:

• 2 Door Coupe de Ville
• 2 Door Eldorado Seville (Hardtop)
• 2 Door Eldorado Biarritz (Softtop)
• 4 Door Sedan de Ville

The Eldorado and De Ville trims were more luxurious than the standard Series 62 trims, and Cadillac released them as their own models two years later.

All Cadillac models came standard with an overhead V8 engine, power steering, power brakes, and an automatic Hydro-matic transmission. Options included air conditioning, power seats, white wall tires, and an automatic headlight dimmer.

The production numbers for Cadillacs were less than those for the Chevy Bel Air at only about 100,000. The Coupe de Ville, Sedan de Ville, and Eldorado subseries sold the most units.

How to Restore a Vintage 1957 Cadillac

Restoring a 1957 Cadillac is going to be a similar challenge to many other 1950s cars and depend on the condition of your vehicle. A leaking rear main engine seal or significant mechanical problem may require hard to find parts and an experienced Cadillac mechanic.

As a popular domestic car, parts for many of the more common restoration steps are readily available either as OEM from a parts car or trade, or as replacement parts made to modern standards that are often more powerful than original parts.

One cost to keep in mind is any body work. Because the Cadillac is larger than other contemporary cars, you will pay more in paint and materials to refinish it. But a beautifully refinished Cadillac will turn heads, so most collectors justify the cost.

Comparing the Value of a 1957 Bel Air vs a 1957 Cadillac Series 62

Following GM’s loose pricing structure, the Chevy has always been the entry level car while the Cadillac is top of the line. The Bel Air started at $2,000 in 1957 and the Cadillac was around $5,000.

Cadillac made almost 119,000 Series 62 cars in 1957, so they are moderately difficult to find and priced accordingly. Restored Series 62 models are currently on the market for $20,000 to $80,000

Far more Bel Airs were produced in 1957 and so far more remain. Yet the larger number of cars does not translate to a lower price. The Bel Air has been popular with collectors almost since its inception, and is one of the most in demand American classics. There are many out there, and many people who want to purchase one. You will see this reflected in the costs.

Prices for Bel Air project cars range between $3,000 and $7,000 based on the amount of rust, if it runs, and what parts are included. Once restored, they are valued between $40,000 and $130,000. This is a wide range and the value of your car will depend on the quality of the restoration and the body style.

Before you purchase a project car and put money into it, understanding the potential return on your investment can help you make your choice. Both cars are relatively simple to work on and fun to drive. Vintage car enthusiasts looking to add a classic to their garage and the joy of fixing it up themselves cannot go wrong with either one.

Where to Find 1950s Car Parts

Vintage Auto Garage offers wiring, starters, ignition coils, lights, alternators, and the other products you need to restore any 1950s classic car. We also offer an array of parts to make your vintage Chevy Bel Air or Cadillac Series 62 safer and more comfortable to drive, whether you are going to a car show or driving around town.

In addition to our own brand, we carry performance and high quality car parts from PerTronix, PowerMaster, Borg Warner, United Pacific Industries, and more. Check out our website to see our products or call us to get personalized assistance from a member of our team.