What is the difference between the 57 and 56 Bel Air?
The 1957 Bel Air is the flashier, more performance-oriented update, famed for its quad headlights, prominent chrome, and optional Ramjet fuel injection or Tri-Power carburetion. The 1956 Bel Air stays closer to the mid‑1950s look with a more conservative front end and fewer high‑performance options. Together, they bookend Chevrolet’s celebrated Tri‑Five era.
Exterior styling and design
Key visual cues that separate the two years include the front end, lighting, and rear styling. The following highlights help distinguish them at a glance.
Exterior cues to compare
- 1957 Bel Air features a wider, more dramatic front grille with four headlights and larger chrome accents than the 1956.
- The rear end of the 1957 uses more pronounced tail fins and a bolder taillight treatment, compared with the more understated 1956 tail design.
- Overall profile and chrome trim on the 1957 are more aggressive, contributing to a more “fins-and-chrome” appearance that has become iconic for the Tri‑Five era.
The exterior changes between the two years were largely styling-focused, helping explain why 1957s often attract stronger collector interest today.
Mechanical performance and options
Engine choices and drive-train setups mark a clear divide in what each year offered to buyers seeking performance. Here’s how they differ under the hood.
Powertrain highlights
- 1956 Bel Air commonly offered Chevrolet's 265-cubic-inch V8 as the base engine, with additional 283-cubic-inch variants and four-barrel options; Powerglide automatic transmission was common.
- 1957 Bel Air expanded performance options, notably the 283-cubic-inch V8 with multiple carburetion setups, including the famous Ramjet fuel injection option and the Tri-Power 3x2 carburetor kit for higher horsepower.
- Manual transmissions typically included a 3-speed, with a 4-speed manual available on some 1957 models; automatic options included Powerglide as well.
In practice, the 1957’s performance options—especially Ramjet injection and Tri-Power—made it the more coveted year for enthusiasts, while 1956 offered robust but less exotic powertrains.
Interior comfort and trim
Inside the cars, Chevrolet modernized the cabin for 1957 with improved instrumentation and more options, though both years offered a well-appointed experience for the era.
Cabin features to note
- 1957 Bel Air interiors featured a redesigned instrument cluster with sweep-style gauges and a more modern dashboard layout; upholstery and two-tone interior options were more prevalent.
- 1956 interiors were comfortable and well-appointed for the era but leaned toward a simpler, slightly more utilitarian layout with fewer optional features as standard.
- Options across both years included power windows, power seats, and upgraded trims, but the 1957 offered more as factory options or dealer-installed packages as part of its premium Bel Air trim.
Overall, the 1957 interior is generally regarded as more refined and up-to-date for the period, reflecting Chevrolet’s push to modernize the Tri‑Five cockpit.
Market presence and collector value
Today, collectors and enthusiasts weigh these models differently based on styling, rarity, and performance options.
Collector considerations
- 1957 Bel Airs, particularly those equipped with Ramjet injection or Tri-Power, tend to command higher prices at auctions and classic car markets due to their iconic styling and performance heritage.
- 1956 Bel Airs are widely collected as accessible gateways into the Tri‑Five era, valued for their smoother, less aggressive look and solid mechanicals.
- Both years benefit from the broader Tri‑Five appeal, but 1957’s bold design language makes it a more standout icon for many buyers.
For buyers, condition, originality, and documentation (engine options, trim, and dealer history) heavily influence value for either year.
Summary
The 1957 Chevy Bel Air stands out as the more flamboyant and performance-oriented version of Chevrolet’s Tri‑Five era, with quad headlights, dramatic tail fins, and optional high-performance powertrains like Ramjet fuel injection. The 1956 Bel Air offers a more conservative styling approach and solid but less exotic engine options. Both cars are emblematic of mid-1950s cruising culture, but the 1957’s showmanship and performance options tend to push it higher in the collector market.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the aggressive styling and rare performance options of the 1957 or the more conservative, approachable charm of the 1956, both Bel Air models remain defining symbols of Chevrolet’s Tri‑Five era. Your choice often comes down to aesthetics, mechanical interest, and the significance you place on period-correct performance options.
Summary note: The primary differences between the 1957 and 1956 Bel Air lie in exterior styling (front end and tail design), available powertrains (notably the Ramjet and Tri-Power on 1957), interior refinement, and market desirability among collectors today.
How to tell the difference between a 1956 and 1957 Corvette?
The 1957 Corvette was the second year of a redesign of the original model. The only visible difference between a '56 and '57 Corvette is the locking nut on the dash mounted rear view mirror. It's a wing nut on the '56 and a hex nut on the '57.
What was so special about a 57 Chevy Bel Air?
1957 Chevy Bel Air Engines
In fact, not only was the Ramjet Fuel Injection system a first for General Motors, but the Bel Air became the first production V-8 passenger car with the technology.
What is the difference between the 56 and 57 Chevy?
The simple aspect of the grille that identifies the '56 are the huge, square-ish signal lamps encompassed within the grille, where the '57 has round signal lamps and huge round bumperettes. Both '55 and '56 have a smooth hood, but the '57 has a pair of 'Rockets' that make that hood specific to that year.
How much is a 1956 Belair worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $34,505 for a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air at auction over the last three years was $247,500.
