I have always wanted an old cruiser. Initially I really wanted a '49 buick sedanette fastback but realized that is just a bit out of my league for right now. I loved what Justin Hills did to his (gooogle Hills and Co customs Australia). Well, I found a '57 Chevy 210 being sold locally and, well, she's mine now. She is a beast and sometimes feels like she has a mind of her own, kinda like a stubborn mare, but she will grow to love me. The car is a project as you will see from the pics but will be a clean street custom when I'm done. As of this post, the 350 motor is getting swapped with a 383 stroker (no pics yet). I have new mirrors, weatherstripping and headlight bezels ready just waiting for the engine compartment paint and motor to get finished. I will also be swapping the brake system for 4 wheel discs hopefully by the end of the year. As for the Xterra, it will get new wider tires (and maybe a BL) when the BFG AT's wear down some more. Until then, the '57 owns my paychecks.
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2117.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2115.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2113.jpg

Gorgeous. I love the 55-57 chevy's. I cannot wait to see more pictures, lets see what is under the hood!

Hell yeah! Congrats!

Sweeet!

Paul

I can't wait to get the 57 up to snuff so i can take a glamor shot with it and the X side by side. i will get pics of the new motor and engine compartment paint when its done in a week or so. I am having the block painted gloss engine black and the interior engine compartment the same silver as the outside. the motor wil have Edelbrock valve covers and Summit heads along with a nice looking alternator. Plan is motor/engine paint first, all new brake system, new bushings and possibly springs by end of the year. Then in 2012 Dakota digital gauges backlit in blue and vintage air conditioning system added along with dynamat and dynaliner. Interior and audio will be last. i hope to get it done by next August.

That is sweet... looks like the one my Grandpa had but it was baby blue... :) Nice, keep us posted on the progress...

Ok some updates. Here are some before and after pics of the motor swap and engine compartment updates. I had this work done by some good guys i met thru the guy i bought the motor from. The electrical system and A/C have yet to be done and an optima yellowtop will be going in soon. Baby steps.

BEFORE:
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2215.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2144.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2217.jpg

AFTER:
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2425.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2423.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2424.jpg

It drives nice but I haven't opened her up and won't until the brakes are upgraded to discs.

The hood springs are shot hence the yellow prop rod.

Gorgeous man.. Gorgeous..

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i152/racerxxl/Mbrd/orson-wells-clapping.gif

Bravo sir, Bravo.

Forgot to add these:

http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2137.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2139.jpg

http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2152.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2155.jpg
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee345/Jackal_TEF/57%20210/PICT2158.jpg
Will add the finished bezels once i get a photo.

Hey Jackal, it is great to see the 55s through 57s still live!
I owned (in 60s/70s) a 57 Chevy Belair that looked like yours with the fancy stainless steel inserts on the rear fenders. Also a 57 Nomad, which I hated and sold (wish I had it now! LOL) I also owned (13) 56 Chevys, two that were 2 Door hardtops that I turned ito show cars and one convertible (my first).
I miss the big old American cars, but I am glad to see you are upholding their memory!

I also owned a 57 Belair 4 door hardtop with the factory 270 HP 283 with the twin Carter CFB four barrels. I had not mentioned it, as I took the motor out and gave the perfectly good body to a friend. I just could not own a 4 door in those days (even if it was a cool rare car).

Thanks everyone for the positive comments. It helps when things get frustrating. Itsme, I like the old cars too but only certain eras. You must be an expert if you owned that many oldies. The tri-fives are simply Americana which is why they are so popular. Being a Gen X'r, it took some getting used to the old technology. I love those aluminum inserts on the rear and I will get a set eventually. The funny thing about old cars versus, say, customizing our xterras, is the money you want to spend on the want-to-have-stuff seems to go to the need-to-haves first which can be frustrating. Anyone getting into the hobby of old cars definitely needs to have a lot of patience.

Of course, I am an old fart and they were not so old back then, it was not hard to get parts cars in the 60s/70s.
The 56 was my car of choice, but I love them all!
Your plans on a fast custom are great!
Leave the hood tips on and have them re-chromed if they need it. They are the icon of that year!
Keep giving us updates as you move forward. I do understand the complications of trying to get it back up to snuff on "needed items". I am guessing it can eat up plenty of dollars now!