“Sweet, Smooth, and Sassy” was how Chevrolet described its 1957 models. Surprisingly, one of the most sought-after cars of the post-war era wasn’t the industry best-seller when new. With few exceptions, Chevrolet outsold its rival in the thirty years after Ford stopped producing the Model T. But pushing a third-year re-style against dramatically new Fords and Plymouths caused Chevy to slip to number two in sales for 1957. How things change as today, the ’57 is perhaps the most desirable and iconic of the 55-57 models.

What the company brought to the party was performance in the form of an enlarged 283-cid V-8 with available Rochester Ramjet fuel injection or dual 4-bbl carburetors like this example. The “dual quad” motor afforded 245-hp and with the optional automatic transmission, cost more than $500 extra; nearly one-fourth the price of the car! Owners might argue that the cost of that performance was well worth the price.

This one-owner example is all-original with little more than 46,000 miles showing on the odometer. Having spent its life in Tennessee, it was spared the ravages of bad weather while properly cared for by its first owner. Painted Onyx Black with a white roof and red interior, it has its original carpets and seats and the consigner describes it as a “beautiful original car.” In addition to the special engine, it has bias ply white wall tires, tissue dispenser, dual mirrors and his been carefully fitted with an aftermarket in-dash AM-FM Cassette radio.