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The 1957 Chevrolet is one of the three most iconic cars to come out of the 1950s, and the final year of Chevy’s fabled Tri-Five lineup. The best-known trim line is the top-level Bel Air, but the Tri-Fives also came in trim lines of 210 and 150 models. The 210 was middle of the road, while the 150 was as entry-level as you could get, and many lacked most features that had become almost standard by the late ‘50s.
The Classic Industries instruments are a nice touch to the interior.
This 150-series two-door ’57 Chevy was built by Roy Brizio in South San Francisco, California, in 2013. It belongs to Pat Liebel of Sequim, Washington. “The 150-model was as cheap as you could get,” Pat explained. “This car started with a six-cylinder engine, three-speed transmission, and no clock, radio, pr heater.” This was a low-option car, even for the 150-trim level.
The Wilwood brakes are essential for stopping power to counter the 485 horses worth of go power.
“The reason I chose this car, is because it’s an oddball,” Pat said. While there are plenty of ’57 Chevys out and about, they’re mostly Bel Air models, wagons, convertibles, or the 210s. The 150 is the least common model, and they also have unique trim. One guy even thought that Pat had ’55 Chevy side trim put onto his ’57 Chevy, not knowing this was how the 150 model looked from the factory!
All of the lines and gaps are perfect, and every inch of this car is polished and ready for a show. The silver grill is killer on this build with the silver paint and bright chrome.
No longer a stripped-down model, this 150 is anything but plain. The body sits on an Art Morrison GT Sport chassis, and has a 485 horsepower, LS3 engine nestled between its silver fenders. The transmission is a Tremec TKO five-speed manual, and it has a 9-inch rearend to complete the drivetrain. Overall, a significant leap from the old Stovebolt six-cylinder engine and three-on-the-tree transmission.
That LS3 definitely looks right at home under the hood of this Chevy.
The upholstery was done by Sid Chavers Upholstery. It’s all leather, and the split bench has been modified for greater comfort. It’s not the same old flat-backed bench seat anymore. The added bolstering on each side better cradles the driver and provides more support. The headliner is also a rich suede instead of the old vinyl or cloth headliner that is often found in a 1957 Chevy.
The understated look of the 150-model horn cap is actually a very attractive feature on this car. And who can argue the classic style and utility of a Hurst floor shifter?
The exterior of this ’57 Chevy features a few subtle body modifications. The hood humps and rear fins have been reshaped with peaks instead of the rounded top. It’s a subtle change that most wouldn’t notice, but it sets the car apart from others, and really finishes out the aesthetic of this extremely clean and simple build. The paintwork was done by Darryl Hollenbeck’s Vintage Color Studio, and is a light silver over a dark silver, for a two-tone that’s hard to differentiate in one light, and starkly contrasted in another.
It’s hard to see, but the peaks on the hood humps and rear fins really add an extra dimension to the build, and the two-toned paint with the light and dark silver make for one heck of a good looking car.
