VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 57 Belair restoration

I have a 57 Belair two door post. I've been trying to get info on how it came from the factory. I've seen articles that make think that it is a 210, but I'm not for sure about this. I'm new at this. My brother bought this car when he was 21 and he died at 22. He has been gone now for 18 years and he loved the car so much that I want to restore it in his memory from his little big sister.

You may check the serial number.It is on the left front door post (on the body-visable when door is open) and can then be seen when sitting in drives seat.There will be one or two letters before the numbers 57.If two the first will be a V which indicates an 8 cylinder engine.The next (or first if not an 8) will be a B if a 210 and a C if a Bel Air. Also can be identified by body number under hood.Style 1011 is a 210 and 1011D a Bel Air.

Merry Christmas Lady,

There is some data you need to post here for us to assist with the lineage of your '57.

In addition to the VIN Plate information previously mentioned...

Open the hood. On the firewall (cowl) you will see an aluminum plate (it may be painted the cowl color). It is approx. 3" x 4" in size.

Copy that info down and post it here.

I have found the numbers on the door frame. They are B 57 J 132550. I haven't found the other plate yet, but I am still looking.
Thanks

Hello Lady,

Thanks for the VIN info....

B - 210 Model

57 - model year of 1957

J - Produced at Janesville, WI

132550 - made during the early part of December, 1956.

This car was an original 235 engine model.

Hope that helps with your restoration! :love:

The other plate.....seeing that its an early 1957,will be on the fire wall,behind the engine and just to the drivers side of the center.Fire wall is the part of the car body just behind the engine.On later 57s its on passenger side below the heater valve.

The other plate.....seeing that its an early 1957,will be on the fire wall,behind the engine and just to the drivers side of the center.Fire wall is the part of the car body just behind the engine.On later 57s its on passenger side below the heater valve.

Thanks so much for your info.
We had to get play dough to make out the vin # under the hood. It had been painted over and it's very hard to read, but here is what we managed to get:

Style 57 1011
Body N J 3874
Trim 654
Paint 811C

Did I get it all?

Thanks, Ladyfisher

Ladyfisher. 57-1011=57 210 2 door body #HJ 3874 ? may not be an H but J indicates the body was made in Janesvile Wi. (serial number had told us entire car was assembeled therr also) T 654 is the interior trim-indicates charcoal cloth and ivory imatation leather P 654 is the paint number-India ivory top (and between mouldings on rear quarter panel also) tourquise lower body( a medium shade) at this point don't know what the C is after paint number.....There is an ACC below that number-did you pick-up a C from
that?

Th C is right after the 811. I don't think there is anything else after the paint, except that it had Fisher in part of the line.

The "C" after the 811 determines the paint pattern.

(i.e.) roof is white, roof is primary body color, insert is white, etc).

There were three patterns. A being solid colored and not two toned, B being roof only, C included the spear area....

There is also a D which is on my '57 Belair Two Door Hardtop.

My guess would be aluminum insert -Bowtieollie will confirm I hope.

I'm a little cofused now. My car was painted white where the insert goes on the back back fender. Is this right or should it have the insert? If it's suppost to have the insert, that's the way I want to restore it. Thanks!!

Because your car is a 210 there is no insert.Inserts were used on the Bel Air only.If car is kept original insert will be white-as well as top.

Thank you all for your answers to my questions. This helps me out alot! Thanks!!