12,800-mile 1957 Chevrolet 150 - Detailed Tour, Review, Test Drive and Walkaround - Tri-Five Chevy

How often do you come across a #classic car of over 60 years old with less than 13,000 original miles? And not just any car; but the iconic 57 #Chevy! When we heard about this Chevrolet 150 being for sale by its third owner, we knew we had to make a classic car report about it for LCR.
The car was sold new by Nalley Chevrolet in Atlanta, which by the way is still in business, albeit at a different location. The cardboard dealer plate from #1957 is still with the car, as well as this ‘57 map of Georgia.
This ‘57 four-door sedan is almost entirely original. It proudly wears its original black paint; the cloth upholstery is original and the car is standing on the original whitewall tires from 1957. “They don’t build them like they used to” definitely applies to these 64-year-old tires, that don’t even show any cracks.
The 1957 Chevrolet is one of the icons of the golden age in the USA. Tail fins, rocket-like details inspired by the start of the space age, the iconic curved glass, royal amounts of chrome, everything is there to make it a symbol of the 50s. The design process was led by Chevrolet’s chief designer Clare MacKichan and is one of the most recognized classic car designs today.
The car has a body-on-frame construction, with the body being produced by GM’s prestigious in-house Fisher coachbuilding division.
This 150 is equipped with the 235 cubic inch inline six, rated at 123 hp. It is paired to a 3-speed manual transmission which has the shifter on the steering column.
This model doesn’t have power steering, which despite the large steering wheel is something dearly missing in the 3221 lb. car. No power disc brakes here, either. The car is stopped by manual drums on all four wheels. What it does have, however, is the original tube radio. Still operational in 2021, the radio outputs surprisingly good sound quality through a small grille in the top of the steel dashboard. Especially when you extend the antenna that’s almost longer than the car itself.
Talking about materials: do you see all those plastic parts? Me neither. Cars like these is where the term ‘American iron’ came from. Thick, heavy steel.
Every surface on the inside is made of metal. No cracks ever in this steel dash! The blinker stalk feels more solid than your entire Toyota. Door handles, window winders, nothing is made of plastic.
And look at these woven fabric weather strips. And all of it is original to the car, like the vacuum wiper system and even the fabric seat upholstery with the funky pattern.
So how are the creature comforts in this mid-level sedan from the 50s? The front bench is adjustable and gives a surprisingly good amount of room.
The Chevy has heat and air through a unit under the dash. For natural air, it has these nice lockable so-called cigar vent windows that for some reason have completely disappeared from modern cars. As said before, all windows in this car are manual.
The high beams are controlled with your left foot, which is interesting as this car is not an automatic. The Chevy logo behind the steering wheel lights up when you turn them on. And yes, there are the 12,854 original miles on the odometer! On the inside, it has a dome light that turns on when you open any of the doors, and it even has a lighted glove box! With cupholders inside the door. It furthermore features this beautiful Art Deco clock.
The black exterior paint is beautifully accented with subtle black painted accents on the hubcaps and chrome exterior trim. And look how nice the thin bezels on the mirrors are. Compare that to the big bulky plastic mirrors of today.
It is just incredible to see how this 50s Chevrolet combines function with great design. The iconic curved windshield and rear window for example, provide perfect visibility without having a thick A-pillar right in your face, and the designers managed to also make it look beautiful. It shows how much room for innovation there was in the 50s before the government started deciding everything.
Talking about practicality, look at this nice big trunk. It has the original rubber liner, which also makes a lot more sense than today’s carpeted trunks where everything slides all over the place.
Anyway, how do we get home now?
I wonder if the tube radio is upgradable with an Android Auto or Apple Carplay module?
We want to thank Dick Allis for giving us the opportunity to review this unique classic, and want to remind you that the car is for sale. If you’re interested, drop us a line in the comments!

[@LCR]

UPDATE: The car has been sold to the grandson of mr. Allis. It will stay in the family! Please note: The model in the video is incorrectly identified as a 210. This 57 Chevy is actually a 150, one trim level lower than the 210.

[@ezsgarage1766]

I'm glad it stayed in family hands , I'm restoring the same car for my daughter going to be awesome when done

[@josephconsoli4128]

Absolutely AWESOME! Since I was about 5, I've been in love with the '57 Chevy and this one is really exceptional. If I was at a car show, I'd walk past all the slickly restored Bel Air convertibles and coupes, and go straight to this one. I love lower line cars. I also like the '57 stripped down - no bumperettes, rubber tips, cont. kit, skirts, dual antenna's, etc. I see that the original owner of this one actually was liberal with options. These usually have a radio and clock delete. GORGEOUS surviver!

[@kermitmidthun4306]

When I was a kid, my dad had this very car. A black 4 door 150. Was in the family for 30+ years until it finally rusted out. Went 300,000+ miles.

[@The_notorious69]

That’s cool man, hope you enjoyed the hell out of the car while it lasted

[@knitterscheidt]

For reasons of nostalgia my favorite is the 56 Bel Air, it's the first car I remember from childhood and have a clear memory of falling asleep in the backseat on a drive home one summer night with my parents.

[@ezsgarage1766]

I have a 57 150 4 Dr sedan from Oakland and it's body number 574 . I'm going to restore it for my baby girl

[@kjchicago1]

Looks Real Good For A 1957 Chevrolet

[@TheTechnicalWizard]

7:14 Or as they were called back in the day, "2/60" windows. Jokes aside, great review of this beauty!

[@LCR]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@musimero]

Amazing video I really enjoyed it 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@LCR]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@wildcat64100]

Amazing! But don’t tires deteriorate from the inside out? I would take those tires and store them before you have a blowout.

[@LCR]

I'm not sure. Oxygen levels can be higher on the inside, but the outside suffers more from UV light and temperature changes. I don't know how these have been holding up for 64 years but no highway miles may be a helping factor.

[@josephconsoli4128]

You are correct. What happens is you get a blow out and not only destroy the original rim, but chance wrecking the car. Put those in storage, and put retro blackwalls. It'll look even more impressive and ride better.

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Beautiful old Chevy. Its as original and untouched as my 57 Plymouth.

[@LCR]

Very nice! I like preserving cars' originality to be able to see the complete design.

[@andrewfayers9147]

Would love to see that, nothing beats originality.

[@andrewfayers9147]

My 1962 Vauxhall Cresta PA (part of GM) also has an ignition switch that is unlocked with the key, and operated by turning the bezel, the same as the Chevrolet. It has 13,500 miles, I am the second owner.

[@LCR]

Incredible to know there's another survivor like that! The Cresta looks similar to the Opel Kapitan. It's interesting how GM brought American design and styling to their large European cars.

[@andrewfayers9147]

@@LCR Thank you for your reply. American styling was very much in vogue, and the Cresta, Velox and Victor were the nearest we had in this country.

[@jaydawg2023]

Awesome review!

[@LCR]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jeromebreeding3302]

The video says 210, but it's a 150(bottom-rung). I had a 210 4dr.. At 3200 lbs., not that heavy. Unless you're Harvey Milktoast, power-steering won't be missed.

[@michaelcoonce6694]

I would be afraid to drive it anywhere with those tires

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Not me. I'm more afraid to drive on modern Cokers.

[@lostsoul3154]

Love the Tri-Five Chevys BUT, they were polluters with no safety features whatsoever. Open crankcases, inefficient carburetors, leaded fuel, single-reservoir master cylinder, drum brakes, etc. It is nice to see a survivor though. Can't believe the condition of those tires.

[@LCR]

Oh yes, cars have absolutely improved a lot over the years! The design of these is still gorgeous though.

[@MrMktMaster]

Very nice condition, but it is a 150 not a 210 and there are plastic parts e.g. the armrests!

[@philbarrows2431]

Umm, the 150 didn't even come with armrests.

[@MrMktMaster]

@@philbarrows2431 this one does! 😃

[@philbarrows2431]

@@MrMktMaster hmm, ok

[@eladioleon160]

Is the car still for sale please let me know

[@LCR]

Thank you for your interest. The car went to his grandson and is no longer for sale.

[@eladioleon160]

@@LCR thanks

[@Mike-dh6nb]

That is not a 210. It's a 150. The base model

[@McVaio]

I guess that's why the title says "Chevrolet 150".

[@leebongirno9670]

Car is a 150 not a 210

[@LCR]

Correct

[@garyporter516]

This is a 150 model not a 210.