Specialty Power Windows offers...
Specialty Power Windows offers a bolt-in power window kit for tri-year Chevys that uses the stock tracks and widow runners. It comes complete with all of the parts and wiring for the conversion. Anyone could install a set in a few hours.
The kit bolts into the door...
The kit bolts into the door using the existing bolt holes. All you have to do is modify the stock door handle hole from round to square to work with the switch in the kit. The rear kit requires drilling two additional holes to mount the regulator.
The kit bolts into the door...
The kit bolts into the door using the existing bolt holes. All you have to do is modify the stock door handle hole from round to square to work with the switch in the kit. The rear kit requires drilling two additional holes to mount the regulator.
The steering column we selected...
The steering column we selected was a chrome-plated ididit tilt unit. It looks great and is designed to be used with the Mullins power steering system we installed previously.
We installed the steering...
We installed the steering column which works perfectly with the stock Chevy dash and column trim. In this photo, the column is 180 degrees from the correct position. You have to index the column so the turn signals cancel when you go around a corner.
The column is secured at the...
The column is secured at the top with a large metal brace that attaches to the dash. The brace diameter is larger than the column, so it's advisable to wrap the column with rubber to take up the slack. When the rubber compresses, the column is very secure.
The column exits through the...
The column exits through the original hole in the floorboard and is designed to meet up with the Mullins steering box.
The Mullins kit comes complete...
The Mullins kit comes complete with a rag joint that couples to the ididit steering column as shown. The column installation couldn't be easier. It's nice when two companies work together to make separate items compatible.
We contacted C.A.R.S. Inc....
We contacted C.A.R.S. Inc. for a complete original Bel Air hardtop interior kit in turquoise and black. The complete kit includes the seat covers, door panels, carpet, and headliner. We didn't have the original door panels, so we also had to order the stainless door panel trim strips from C.A.R.S. Inc. The company also supplied the armrests for the front and rear of the car and the ashtrays.
The back seat matches the...
The back seat matches the front seat's pattern. It may be hard to see in this photo, but we customized the package tray with dual speakers for the Custom Autosound stereo system and rolled-and-pleated upholstery. When we ordered the interior, we also ordered several yards of vinyl upholstery material and carpet so we could upholster the trunk.
We also ordered doorsill trim...
We also ordered doorsill trim strips from C.A.R.S. Inc. to finish off the carpets. They bolted right into the original holes using polished stainless screws from Totally Stainless.
The door panels are identical...
The door panels are identical to the originals right down to the stainless trim strips. The only alteration we made was the installation of the power window button which is in the stock location for the window roller.
When we painted the car PPG...
When we painted the car PPG Tahitian Turquoise with platinum pearl, we painted the dash to match. The original aluminum center section was missing from the car, so we installed a new one from C.A.R.S. Inc. It's identical to the original trim and really sets off the dash. Notice the B&M shifter for the Turbo 350 trans. You can also see the Vintage Air vents, which do a nice job of matching the interior. The gauge cluster is filled with Dakota Digital gauges that illuminate in a blue color that matches the car.
The stock rubber pedals were...
The stock rubber pedals were pretty drab, so we installed a set of Lokar pedals. The gas pedal operates a Lokar throttle linkage assembly. The brake pedal is wider than the original and is much easier to depress in a panic situation. The small pedal covers the dimmer switch mechanism and just looks cool.
C.A.R.S. Inc. also supplied...
C.A.R.S. Inc. also supplied the turquoise blue headliner, visors, and mechanisms. The chrome trim strips are original items.
We selected a Grant steering...
We selected a Grant steering wheel dyed turquoise to match the car. We took a piece of material to the paint shop, and the color was matched perfectly. This is a job for professional upholstery dye and the proper conditioner.
Seatbelts are mandatory in...
Seatbelts are mandatory in any car we build, so we contacted Juliano's and ordered a complete set: two roll-up belts for the front seats and three lap belts for the rear of the car, along with the mounting hardware.
Juliano's roll-up seatbelts...
Juliano's roll-up seatbelts work perfectly with the Chevy seats because they're easy to reach at the side. The installation was easy and straight-forward.
The other end of the front...
The other end of the front seatbelts are located in the center of the seat--also within easy reach for the driver or passenger. This is a great set of seatbelts for tri-year Chevys.
We installed three seatbelts...
We installed three seatbelts in the rear of the car to handle a full carload of people, however, only two belts are generally seen in the car. One set of belts are tucked behind the seat, but are there if we need them. Notice that even the rear of the car is insulated, keeping muffler heat away from the passengers.
Electrical power is provided...
Electrical power is provided by a high-tech Performance Distributors battery, which is compact but delivers more cranking power than a large normal battery. The small compact battery is located in the trunk of the '57.
When we painted the car, we...
When we painted the car, we also painted the entire trunk of the '57. As you can see, the trunk houses the two Custom Autosound bass speakers, the CD changer, and the Performance Distributors battery. We also equipped the car with a small space-saver tire to maximize luggage space.
Mike Ambrose Auto Upholstery...
Mike Ambrose Auto Upholstery started reupholstering the trunk by making a smaller tire enclosure for the space-saver tire. We made the unique bolt arrangement to secure the tire in the compartment. We also lined the trunk with Accumat from Scosche to deaden the sound for a quiet ride and to improve the sound quality of the stereo.
All of the trunk panels are...
All of the trunk panels are made out of thick plywood for strength.
The rear of the trunk has...
The rear of the trunk has a panel to cover the stereo speakers and battery. Two doors are used to access the battery and for general storage. The CD changer is also accessible from the front.
Here's what the trunk looked...
Here's what the trunk looked like after it was finished. The side and rear panels are covered in turquoise vinyl and carpet with a pleat design. The trunk floor is covered with carpet that matches the interior. All of the material was supplied by C.A.R.S. Inc.
Automotive design reached a high point in the mid '50s. The jet age really kicked in and influenced automotive designers, resulting in cars with aerodynamically inspired motifs like tail fins, taillights that resembled jet exhaust outlets, and aeronautical air scoops. It was also a colorful time for paint schemes. All of the auto manufacturers were offering two-tone paint schemes, and just to outdo everyone else, Chrysler offered cars in three-tone combinations. These wild color tones were even carried over into the interiors of the cars, bringing about some very aesthetically pleasing automobiles. One of the best designs in the mid-'50s was the '57 Chevy: the third design based on the '55 Chevy platform. The car was longer and heavier than its two counterparts, due in part to thoughtfully designed sculptured bumpers and streamlined finned fenders. On the outside, the '57 Chevys were available in a long list of colors for both the body and interior.
When we were working on the '57 Chevy we've been featuring, we decided to retain the stock three-tone Bel Air interior, which was the top-of-the-line available. The '57 Chevy was painted original Tahitian Turquoise modified with platinum pearl, so we felt the stock turquoise and black interior would look appropriate with the mildly modified exterior of the car. We contacted C.A.R.S. Inc. and ordered an interior kit that included seat covers, door panels, a car- pet set, and a headliner. We also wanted to upgrade the interior of the car with several high-tech parts, such as power windows from Specialty Power Windows, an ididit tilt steering column, a pedal kit from Lokar, a custom steering wheel from Grant, and an AM/FM stereo radio from Custom Autosound.
The result is an interior that's very attractive and comfortable and worked great when the car was driven on Americruise. We'll give you an overview of the parts we used.