The above Chevy isn't mine.. I would like to get mine looking like this tho..
Anyway... Here's the Story of my 57.
It must have been around 1965. When I was 7 or 8.
One day Dad came home with the 1957 Chevy.
Dad only used the car very occasionally over the years.
Once or twice a month at most.
That's why the car is in almost original condition still.
He taught me how to drive in it when I was about 15.
After that I used to back it up the driveway to wash and polish it.
Not because I was made to. Just because it was the Chevy.
Having a Chevy in Australia, at that time.
Was a bit of a status symbol I guess.
The locally built GM equivalent is called a Holden.
The EK or FB series Holden is very similar to the 57 Chevy.
Same basic body shape.
But it is a cut down version. The Holdens have been scaled down a bit.
Although the shape of the doors etc is almost identical.
I never really liked the locally built EK/FB Holden.
Mainly because the only engine offering was pretty tame.
As well as the over all finish wasn't up to the same standard.
Plastic Seats and Flooring compared to Leather seating and carpet.
You could tell it was a poor cousin to the original. At a glance.
No where near as much chrome or Style. lol.
However, nowadays those old Holdens have started to appeal to me. lol
| Holden Logo |
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| 1961-1962 Holden | Greymotor | 1960-1961 Holden |
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| Years of Production: FB
1960-1961/EK 1961-1962 |
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| Australian EK Holden 1961-1962 |
| Click Image to find out more. |
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Anyway.... Enough about Holdens.. lol Back to my story.. Over the years.
I've had a long, if distant love affair, with Dad's 57 Chevy.
Mum and Dad knew this.
They always promised that one day the Chevy would be mine.
I borrowed the Chevy once during 1986.
I drove her from Victoria to N.S.W. (About 1600 Miles)
Everywhere I stopped for petrol. People crowded around the car.
I had a big smile firmly stuck to my face.
During the year 2000. Just around Easter.
After he lost his licence due to failing health. :(
My Dad finally relented and allowed me to take her home.
When I got to her.
She was in Dad's garage.
Covered in dust.
The battery was flat. As were a couple of tyres.
I charged up the battery and pumped up the tyres.
Told my sister that I was going to drive the Chevy back to Adelaide.
My Sister and her Husband thought I was crazy.
Because the Chevy hadn't been driven in ages.
Adelaide is nearly 600 miles from Mum and Dad's place.
However the Chevy never missed a beat.
Took me all the way home without any problems at all.
Just after I got home to Adelaide.
The brakes failed. (Master cylinder and wheel cylinders)
The petrol tank developed a hole in it.
And the diff has started leaking some oil.
Looks like I might have been lucky. :)
I have fixed the master cylinder.
But I still need to do the wheel cylinders.
I temporarily stopped the petrol tank leaking with a piece of soap.
(Rough.. I know.. But I needed to move her..)
The Chevy was in storage at Kev and Josie's place.
(2002-2003)
They kept her out of the wind and rain for over 12 months.
A HUGE Thankyou to Kev and Josie. ;)
During 2003 I left Adelaide and moved
to the South East of South Australia.
I put another tempory registration permit on her and drove her again!
This time it was 350klms. To get her in my own garage finally.
Or so I thought. lol
Early 2004 the QOD and I split again.
(QOD=Queen of Darkness)
Lets just say.. Its 2005.. I find myself single and renting again. lol
Unfortunately the Chevy is again under a carport. :(
But at last I have started in earnest on her.
New brake slave cylinders, Rear Springs, Tyres, Taillight Lenses.
All done.
(The petrol tank is still holding - Cross fingers.. lol)
Very Very Close to proper yearly registration now..
(All I need is an original air cleaner assembly.. Hmmm)
BTW: Both the car and I are 1957 models.. :)
If you click on any of the following Images.
You will get a much larger picture.
| Front On | Rear/Drivers | Front/Drivers | 6 Cyl Engine |
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| Dashboard | Petrol Filler | Rear View | Headlining |
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| Drivers Side | Front View | Glamour Shot | Pass. Side |
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| Rear | Distance | Front Pass. | Front Drivers |
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During March 2001 I visited the 57.
(While it was in storage at Kev and Josie's)
Click on the Link (Below) to see those Images.
Other Tri 5 Chevys I have found on the internet.
A real nice 57 2 door for sale?
Spare parts and nice images too
A nice red 57 2 door
A 55 and 61 Chev. And parts for sale
Bob's 409 - Lots of good info here
Old Chevy Classics - Car sounds and more
57 hardtop for sale
Classic Chevy 57 Showroom
55, 56, 57 Car Club site - Very well done
57 SOLD Nomad
Rewind the fifties Cars
57 Chevy worldwide registry
1957 Chev Heaven
H&H Classic Parts
Dave Kerr's Stainless
Tri Five dot com - Not much at the moment
Victor Bray's 57 Drag Machines
Chevychick's Cool Website
Dale's 57 Chevy Page
4 Door pillared 57 Chevy
57 Chevy Rebuild
Want to link to my 57 Chevy webpage?
You can use the following banners if you want.
(Or make up your own..) lol
(This website was totally handcrafted using notepad)
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