While not as luxurious as the Bel Air or even the mid-range 210, the Chevrolet 150 was a popular car for economy-minded buyers and those managing fleets. It has also become a popular model for hot-rodders because it is essentially a blank/basic canvas. While badged as a Bel Air, today’s featured car is actually a 150 in disguise. More importantly, it has a few tricks up its sleeve, like a fuel-injected V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Pick of the Day is a 1957 Chevrolet 150 two-door wagon listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“The main components of this 150 wagon’s powertrain date from the 21st century,” the listing begins. “The engine is a 6.0-liter iron-block LS V8 sourced from a modern Chevrolet truck that showed about 25,000 miles on the odometer when the engine was removed.”
Throughout its lifespan, Chevrolet touted the 150’s value. One advertisement said, “You get more to be proud of in a Chevy. You’ll take extra pride and pleasure in the way it looks—the way it acts—and the way it’s put together. No other low-priced car is quite so sweet, smooth and sassy, or so solidly and finely made as Chevrolet.”
As for this car’s performance powertrain: The LS engine was reportedly torn down and rebuilt using LS3 components, including the cylinder heads, camshaft, and intake/fueling components. The seller says, “The engine bay is executed cleanly enough to nearly pass as factory.” Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission pulled from a 2011 Camaro.
The car’s two-tone Surf Green and Highland Green paint theme continues to the interior, where they work together nicely. While details of the options are not itemized in the listing, the photos show features that include a floor shifter, under-dash climate control vents, lap belts, radio, and wood-rimmed steering wheel.
My take: I love how the car is impressive on paper, yet so unassuming in person. It’s a wagon, it’s not a super flashy color, and it even has a set of simple retro-look wheels. But underneath its skin, it has more to offer—and it moves with the power and confidence of a modern fuel-injected V8. Yes, please.
The asking price is $60,000 or best offer.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
