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'57 Chevy family heirloom | The Wichita Eagle

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Cars

January 11, 2013 11:58 AM

'57 Chevy family heirloom

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This stunning 1957 Chevy Bel Air 4-door hardtop has been in Dee Tarrant's family since it was bought new by her grandfather, a western Kansas sheriff. She and Larry Goodnight decided the car, which had sat unused in a carport since 1976, deserved to be restored and brought back to life in 2004.
This stunning 1957 Chevy Bel Air 4-door hardtop has been in Dee Tarrant's family since it was bought new by her grandfather, a western Kansas sheriff. She and Larry Goodnight decided the car, which had sat unused in a carport since 1976, deserved to be restored and brought back to life in 2004. The Wichita Eagle
Larry Goodnight and Dee Tarrant
Larry Goodnight and Dee Tarrant The Wichita Eagle
This is what sets this particular '57 Chevy apart from its brethern: four doors, but no door posts. Many people leap to the conclusion it's either a 2-door hardtop or a 4-door sedan; in fact, it's a 4-door hardtop.
This is what sets this particular '57 Chevy apart from its brethern: four doors, but no door posts. Many people leap to the conclusion it's either a 2-door hardtop or a 4-door sedan; in fact, it's a 4-door hardtop. The Wichita Eagle
The original 283 V-8 was overhauled and reinstalled in the engine bay, which was fully detailed back to stock appearance by Goodnight. Originally equipped with a 3-speed Turboglide automatic transmission, the car now relies on a replacement 2-speed Powerglide.
The original 283 V-8 was overhauled and reinstalled in the engine bay, which was fully detailed back to stock appearance by Goodnight. Originally equipped with a 3-speed Turboglide automatic transmission, the car now relies on a replacement 2-speed Powerglide. The Wichita Eagle
All four doors got the full treatment, with two-tone blue vinyl and cloth upholstery specific to the '57 Bel Air.
All four doors got the full treatment, with two-tone blue vinyl and cloth upholstery specific to the '57 Bel Air. The Wichita Eagle
The rear seat of the Bel Air not only looks great with fresh upholstery, it is easily accessible, thanks to the extra set of doors on this hardtop.
The rear seat of the Bel Air not only looks great with fresh upholstery, it is easily accessible, thanks to the extra set of doors on this hardtop. The Wichita Eagle
The Chevy was missing one of its wheel covers when Tarrant and Goodnight retrieved it; he was able to find the correct matching hub cap in good condition at a swap meet. The car uses its original 15-inch steel wheels, powder-coated, running a set of thin-line whitewall radials.
The Chevy was missing one of its wheel covers when Tarrant and Goodnight retrieved it; he was able to find the correct matching hub cap in good condition at a swap meet. The car uses its original 15-inch steel wheels, powder-coated, running a set of thin-line whitewall radials. The Wichita Eagle
The iconic 3-pod '57 Chevy instrument cluster is color-keyed to the exterior paint scheme; the odometer shows a tad over 88,000 miles, believed to have been actual mileage when the car was brought out of storage.
The iconic 3-pod '57 Chevy instrument cluster is color-keyed to the exterior paint scheme; the odometer shows a tad over 88,000 miles, believed to have been actual mileage when the car was brought out of storage. The Wichita Eagle
Goodnight removed all of the chrome and stainless trim on the '57 during the restoration process. The rear fender sweeps, like most of the trim, were in such good shape that they were cleaned up and reused.
Goodnight removed all of the chrome and stainless trim on the '57 during the restoration process. The rear fender sweeps, like most of the trim, were in such good shape that they were cleaned up and reused. The Wichita Eagle
Dee Tarrant remembers putting this time-worn sticker in the middle of the back window on the Chevy back in the late 1950s. If you were stopped by a KAKE-TV spotter, you could win a sizable cash award for having the sticker on display.
Dee Tarrant remembers putting this time-worn sticker in the middle of the back window on the Chevy back in the late 1950s. If you were stopped by a KAKE-TV spotter, you could win a sizable cash award for having the sticker on display. The Wichita Eagle
Although the original upholstery was remarkably well preserved, it was fragile, so the couple had Morgan-Bulleigh install a fresh factory-style upholstery kit in the '57, including seat covers, door panels and headliner.
Although the original upholstery was remarkably well preserved, it was fragile, so the couple had Morgan-Bulleigh install a fresh factory-style upholstery kit in the '57, including seat covers, door panels and headliner. The Wichita Eagle
The '57 hardtop was treated to a frame-on restoration, with David Holt spraying a fresh coat of Larkspur Blue paint on the car.
The '57 hardtop was treated to a frame-on restoration, with David Holt spraying a fresh coat of Larkspur Blue paint on the car. The Wichita Eagle
Only the rear bumper had to be replaced, having been damaged in some sort of mishap and then tweaked further by efforts to pull it back into shape.
Only the rear bumper had to be replaced, having been damaged in some sort of mishap and then tweaked further by efforts to pull it back into shape. The Wichita Eagle
New carpet is complemented by a matching set of Bel Air floor mats, front and rear.
New carpet is complemented by a matching set of Bel Air floor mats, front and rear. The Wichita Eagle
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