QuestionWhat do you think I can sell the car for?
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I have a 1957 Chevrolet 210 two door hard top. It has no motor or transmission. All of the rest of the car is there including the seats. It has rust in the quarters and the floor would have to be replaced. It will need a lot of parts and labor to restore. What do you think would be the top dollar for the car? Thanks
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The answer to your question has a lot of variables depending on what options the car had. If it was a 6 cyl car then top value in AS-NEW (#1) condition could be up to $25,000. If it had fuel injection or dual quad carbs when new, it could be worth 50% more than that.
If you "clone" it to one of the more valuable versions, then it would be worth less but more than a 6 cyl car.
If you are a top notch body man and can do your own work including paint, then you have to decide what to pay yourself to finish the car. But for most purposes if you have to pay someone else to finish the car, then no, it won't be worth restoring, you can easily put $30,000 or more into restoring a car like this. The one good thing is that almost everything for the 57 Chevy is available from most trim, to interior to full sheetmetal.
Get a copy of Hemmings Motor News on any newstand and start reading the 55-57 Chevy section to get an idea of values and what is available.
Generally though, it is cheaper to buy a quality restored car than it is to rebuild it. But if you are going to restore one, do a car that people want, and the 57 Chevy IS popular and is likely to remain so for many years. If the car has sentimental value, then that counts too.
It is easy to buy a nice driver quality 57 Bel Air hardtop that will win trophies at local shows for $25,000 to $35,000 that looks VERY good and you can enjoy tomorrow. Top quality Bel Air 57's can run $40,000 to $100,000 depending on colors/options with convertibles even more. BUt 210's always will run quite a bit behind the Bel Air, even though the only difference is a little trim and interior.
I hope this helps. Also consider joining one of the many 55-57 Chevy clubs out there. Do an Internet search or find them in Hemmings.
AnswerThe best answer I can give was already in my earlier answer. A Chevy 210 2 dr HT can be worth up to about $25,000 or so, but if it is a rare engine combo, it can go for 50% or more extra. color makes a difference, light green would not be worth as much as red. Totally original is worth more than non-original except a modified car with GREAT features and lots of HP is worth more than a stripper 6 cyl car.
There have literally been books written on the subject.
I recommend you buy a copy of "Old Car Price Guide" at a magazine newsstand/bookstore. Also get a copy of Hemmings Motor News. Look through those for prices and trends, and what is out there.
Also just Google 57 Chevy 210 on the internet and see what comes up.
Again, nobody can give you a firm price of what any car is worth without knowing all the options, colors, miles and seeing it. You haven't done the restoration yet, and a poor restoration with a 6 cyl engine could be worth $5000, a great restoration with a fuel injected engine could be worth $40,000 or more. A modified or Restified car with poor choices might be lucky to get $5000 and great job to the right buyer could be worth $50,000!
Again, I will say that buying an already restored car is almost always cheaper than doing the car from scratch, especially a rusty one. A Bel Air is worth more than a 210.
Without seeing the finished car, it is impossible to get more specific.
Good luck with your project whichever way you go.
