This is a point I may touch on too often but it is fascinating and it really points to the fickle nature of styling in the world of hot rodding. This huge dollar 1957 Chevrolet convertible is built to the nines but it was built to the nines about 10 years ago now and it kind of looks like it. For the asking price of nearly $190,000 is someone buying the car with the hopes that it someday comes strongly back into style? That may sound harsh but hear me out.
This is a gorgeous car. It is built by the Roadster Shop and just saying that answers any questions on quality or construction method or components used. All of that stuff is completely unassailable because the Roadster Shop reputation is pretty much above reproach. When this car was built around 2010 it touched all the styling bases from the wheels right through the interior. Just like any high fashion item from art to clothing, eventually tastes and looks change. A $3,000 gown from 1987 ain’t exactly something that’s worth $3,000 in 2017 because it won’t really fit the “look” of today’s world. The same as this car. When someone builds a high style 1957 Chevy today it does not look like this car and in 10 years it too will look a bit dated.
It is a cruel and weird reality with custom cars. At some point, this thing will go into retro-awesome mode and be worth a big chunk of change but at the moment I don’t think that it can get this kind of money. The insane part is that on part is is worth every penny just in materials and labor alone, right? The hours to modify the body, do all of the work to the chassis, big ticket items like the ZZ572 engine, the custom interior, there’s way more than $188,000 sitting there but since it doesn’t “look” like a car that was built yesterday it may struggle to find a buyer.
Boy, what a fickle deal huh?
CLICK HERE to see the eBay listing for this supremely big dollar 1957 Chevy
That thing is fugly no matter what year it was built or how long it lives .
Agreed. 57 Chevy is my favorite car too, had 4 of ’em. They found a way to destroy a beautiful design. That’s what stupid money can do.
Easy boys – it has a Sonic order button on the console!!
Project X straight out of Hollywood Knights- timeless classic perfect. If that was in the garage it would never look “wrong” .
I saw this car in person at a classic/hot rod dealership in Scottsdale, AZ 3 years ago and it looks worse in person than in pictures. There is a reason it is still up for sale and for around 57 cents on the dollar that it cost to build.
This is the automotive equivalent of a custom made suit that fits the taste of the original owner and no one else: Chrome that looks like plastic, low line 150 trim and a rear bumper that looks like afterthought. No thanks.
Is this for real? Looks like a toy.
I love 57’s but this one is pretty dang ugly.
The only people that make money on “custom ” new built cars are the shops or people that build them. This guy claims 300K build cost ,using that much money on a custom car makes about as much sense as being a crack head with your money. Really come on what do you think you will get in return for 300K. Magazine stories,that don’t pay. Notoriety and fame ,nope that goes to the guy you wrote the check out to.And yes it is very dated in its looks .I am a big believer in if you like it who cares what others think. That applies to all cars in the hobby I think ,until you go to sell them .Too much custom kills sale price. I would say this may be ,And I am only a car price expert in my own mind. Is worth 30 to 50K at most. Some one will buy it and spend 20K to bring into todays style.
Maybe if they’d keep it a little more along the traditional lines it would’ve been okay. Fugly is right. How come no pictures of the rear – one can only guess.
Looks like a snap together model from the 80’s, all the beauty of the ’57 is lost!
MEH!
I do not think it will ever approach 60% of the asking price. But I would wager that the roadster shop or someone similar could drastically improve the visuals with just a front and rear bumper re-work without touching the paint – – moving toward a more traditional cosmetic. Its not as bad as the 1980s pastel and monochrome stuff.
Ugly or not, sure a lot of craftsmanship in there and it would take a lot of money to do that kind of work today.
remember Chezoom( I think I spelled it right) anyway it changed hands a few years ago and the gentleman that bought updated some.
Headline:
Huge Dollar 1957 Chevrolet Convertible Is Built To The Nines…And Tragically Hip
Should read:
Huge Dollar 1957 Chevrolet Convertible Is Built for The Nineties… And Tragically Unhip
(And Totally Yoogaly)
I really like the look of that car, minus the wheels. Swap out some different shoes and damn. I don’t see what the problem is with that car at all. I think the bumpers are great, it has a big block not an LS and the red is gorgeous.
Nothing wrong with the look in my books.
I agree, some tweeking would make a huge difference !
Who would do this to a classic?!
Take it to Dave Kindig, he’ll make it right
Gotta agree with just about everyone, “What were you thinking? It does seem fixable, starting with rims and tires, some different paint, and yeah that back bumper… I don’t get it.
For 190k…. It better run 6 second 1/4 mile, on pump gas, and get 30 mpg. But it just takes 1 person to fall in love with it. Best of luck to the seller
Lose the 572, put a twin turbo LS and an automatic in it, fix the rear bumper, put Bel Air trim on it and paint it a decent color and you would have something.
Not sure I would (or could) pay that money but I would gladly drive it. If you Google “The Tragically Hip”, I don’t believe you will see that car but instead a great band.
“the homer” instantly comes to mind…..