This is Rockin' 57, my favorite ride of all time.  I've owned her for 7 years and she's a near-total "mild custom" restoration.  Originally built in the Van Nuys factory, she's never been out of California, and at least in my ownership, has been consistently garaged. 

There were two primary goals in the restoration:  Maintain as much original as possible, and where not possible, replace original with better performance and better appearing parts. 

For instance, mechanically, the old Rochester 2 Bbl carb was totally shot.  In its place, went a Holley small-intake 4Bbl.  We were astoundingly lucky to find an original 57 chevy 4Bbl intake manifold, again, to maintain as much originality as possible.   The Original 265 V8 was very tired, so a rebuild was done, boring over 0.30, with mild cam and pistons and cylinders designed to work durably with unleaded gas.  The car runs beautifully on Chevron or Mobil Supreme Unleaded. 

The original 3-speed manual had a broken gear tooth.  We decided to install a Borg Warner T-5 manual, and where the original gear shift protruded from the steering column, we installed a tachometer.  Further mechanical upgrades include a Pertronix High Energy Ignition, and conversion to alternator.  There is also a very well-concealed LoJack vehicle tracking device.   With rebuilding of engine, and a new tranny, we decided it would be prudent to replace the differential at the same time, and went with a correct GM 3.57 rear-end. 

With gas prices where they are now, hindsight proves that I spec'd the mechanicals to a "T", increasing both horsepower and torque, but doing so with a rear-end ratio that will allow freeway cruising (once broken-in) at 22+ MPG, NOT BAD for a 275 HP, 3200 LB six-passenger Detroit product of the 1950's!!

Other custom touches included a brand new Vintage Air Conditioner, U.S.A. 101 Stereo Cassette, designed to perfectly match cosmetically in the 57 Chevy dash.  The dash metal insert was also in need of replacement, and we installed a billet aluminum custom dash insert from Danchuk.  New Carpeting, headliner and custom, hand-stitched upholstery completed the "dream-car" appearance I wanted for the interior.  The interior resembles those of custom-interior factory-made Chevy's delivered to VIP customers in the mid 1950's. 

Brand-new Coker Wide Whitewall (Firestone replica) radials were put on the original wheels, which still have the original hubcaps in place.  The car also still has original fender skirts, although I prefer the way it looks without them.  Where indicated, chrome parts were rechromed, or new chrome installed. It's really a cool and fun ride, not even close to broken-in, since I've driven her less than 1,000 miles altogether since the mechanical work was completed. 

This car turns heads like nothing else I've ever driven!