How many 1957 Chevy 2 door hardtops were made?
In broad terms, there isn’t a single official tally for all 1957 two-door hardtops across every trim; most credible car-collector registries place the total somewhere in the low hundreds of thousands—roughly 150,000 to 190,000 units—depending on how one accounts for options and regional variations.
The following report explains the question in more detail, the factors driving variation in counts, and how enthusiasts and researchers approach assembling a reliable figure.
Context: 1957 Chevrolet and the hardtop silhouette
The 1957 model year was a landmark for Chevrolet, featuring a bold restyle that emphasized chrome, curved bodylines, and the introduction of new V8 powerplants. Within this lineup, two-door hardtops were a popular body style, typically offered across the Bel Air and mid-trim 210 series, with Bel Air often representing the best-remembered trim. The term “2-Door Hardtop” refers to a coupe-style body with no fixed B-pillar, a style that appealed to buyers seeking a sportier look without a convertible’s expense.
What qualifies as a 2-Door Hardtop in 1957
For counting purposes, a 2-Door Hardtop is any two-door Chevrolet model whose roof design lacks a fixed B-pillar, regardless of trim level. In 1957, the two-door hardtop configuration appeared in several trim families (notably Bel Air and the mid-range 210), and production figures are usually reported by body style and trim rather than by a single, universal badge.
Why precise counts are elusive
Exact production numbers for 1957 Chevrolet two-door hardtops are not published in a single official GM source. Instead, researchers rely on period production logs, factory records (where accessible), and retrospective registries maintained by car historians and enthusiast clubs. These sources often disagree on minute details, because counts can be influenced by regional assembly variations, factory option packages, and post-production re-assignments of body styles in third-party catalogs.
Sources researchers consult
Historians and collectors typically cite comprehensive registries and reference works such as the Standard Catalog of American Cars (covering 1945–1975 models), Hemmings Motor News archives, and period Chevrolet factory documentation where available. These sources synthesize production totals from Chevrolet’s own records and dealership delivery data, but they rarely provide a single, universal figure for “2-Door Hardtops” across all trim lines for a given year.
What researchers generally estimate
Most credible estimates place the total production of 1957 two-door hardtops somewhere in the vicinity of 150,000 to 190,000 units when aggregating Bel Air and mid-range trims (such as 210) across all regional markets and option packages. It’s important to note that this range reflects aggregation across multiple trims and does not imply a precise count for a single badge or model line.
How to approach an exact figure for a given interest
If you need a precise count for a specific trim combination (for example, Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop versus 210 2-Door Hardtop), consult the standard reference catalogs and, if possible, request factory order/production summaries from Chevrolet archives or relevant museum collections. Local and national car clubs sometimes publish compiled breakdowns that reflect the best available totals for particular body styles by year.
Summary
While enthusiasts strive for precision, there is no single, publicly released official total for “1957 Chevy 2-Door Hardtops” that covers every trim and region. The consensus among registries and historians is that roughly 150,000 to 190,000 units were produced in total across Bel Air and mid-range 2-Door Hardtop configurations. For definitive numbers, the best path is to consult the Standard Catalog of American Cars or Chevrolet historical archives, recognizing that counts may vary by source and interpretation.
In the end, the 1957 2-Door Hardtop remains a coveted silhouette of Chevrolet’s mid-century era—iconic in design and cherished by collectors, even as the precise production tally proves difficult to pin down with a single, authoritative figure.
What is the nickname for a 57 Chevy?
The 1957 Chevrolet was called by some a "Baby Cadillac", because of many styling cues similar to Cadillacs of the time. V8-optioned cars got a large "V" under the Chevrolet script on the hood and trunk lid; the "V: was gold for the Bel Air trim level, and silver-colored chrome for the 210 and 150 trim levels.
What is the rarest 1957 Chevy?
The rarest 1957 Chevy is the El Morocco, a limited-production custom luxury car built with a Cadillac-inspired style, with fewer than 35 convertibles made. Other extremely rare models include the Black Widow and certain highly-optioned Nomads, particularly those equipped with the Rochester Ramjet fuel-injected V8.
El Morocco
- What it is: A customized version of the Bel Air, built by Reuben Allender to look like a more expensive Cadillac.
- Key features: It had unique trim, badging, and tailfins to mimic Cadillac styling.
- Production: Only a handful were made, with fewer than 35 convertibles produced, making it exceptionally rare.
Black Widow
- What it is: A specialized, factory-built car intended for NASCAR racing.
- Key features: It was a high-performance 150 model with a "fuelie" engine.
- Production: Only eight were made for racing purposes.
Nomad
- What it is: The two-door sport wagon variant of the Chevy, and is the rarest of the "Tri-Five" Chevy models.
- Key features: Some rare Nomads were equipped with the powerful Rochester Ramjet fuel-injection system.
- Production: The 1957 Nomad itself was produced in low numbers, making it desirable and valuable.
How many 1957 Chevrolets were made?
1957 Chevy 150, 210, and Bel Air Production Numbers
| 150 2dr Sedan | 71,135 |
|---|---|
| 210 2dr Delray Club Coupe | 25,952 |
| 210 2dr Handyman Wagon | 17,996 |
| Bel Air 2dr Sedan | 62,942 |
| Bel Air 4dr Sedan | 264,449 |
What is the most desirable 57 Chevy?
Less than one percent of 1957 Bel Air production (6,264 units) were in Nomad form. Today, '57 Bel Airs of any type are highly sought after, but it's the 1957 Bel Air Nomad that stands atop the mountain due to its rarity.
