Exemplary of the Horsepower Wars that were raging across the country, this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air packed a powerful 270 HP punch from its Duntov solid-lifter cam, dual 4-barrel carbureted 283 CI V-8 engine. Largely developed for NASCAR specification, the only way to get more power from the 283 was to order the Rochester fuel-injection system, which would deliver 283 HP, or 1 HP per cubic inch, a major accomplishment. Either was an engineering marvel, both were fairly expensive, and, therefore, very few were built. This Harbor Blue Metallic Bel Air Coupe retains its factory-installed 283/270 HP dual-quad V-8 with bat-wing air cleaner element and 3-speed manual transmission. Once part of the Imperial Palace Collection in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Bel Air underwent a comprehensive, nut-and- bolt restoration by Harold Louisiana, a well-known Tri-Five expert, emerging in what appears to be exquisite condition. Rife with factory options, it’s a wonder that this car might have been a dealer demonstrator in its day—it’s fitted with power windows, a power front bench seat, the Wonderbar radio, a rear seat speaker, vacuum ashtray, tissue dispenser, dash- mounted compass, in-dash clock, dual power antennas, fender skirts, hydroboost brakes, E Z-Eye tinted glass, Continental kit, wide whitewall tires wrapping steel wheels with full-width spinner hubcaps and more. The interior is like a trip back to the Chevrolet agency in 1957, with the correct graphite cloud pattern cloth offset by turquoise and black throughout, and the aluminum and brightwork gleaming as expected. In fact, the chrome, aluminum and stainless all-around seem to sparkle better than new. While this car packed a powerful punch, it also offered effortless style with amenities that approached Cadillac levels. Equipped with the 283/270 HP V-8 engine, the Bel Air played in the performance fringes of the mighty Chrysler 300C, the heftier Mopar likely being held back by its roughly 1,000 pounds of additional weight. Regardless, it was an exciting place for a Chevrolet to be, and it truly showed the world what could be done with some engineering and a good small-block.
