Chevrolet Custom 210, Green, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $21,995.

Go to any car show today and you'd be hard-pressed to imagine that in 1957, 4-door sedans were the most popular body style. It seems like most of the convertibles, hardtops, and 2-door sedans survived just fine, but finding an original 1957 Chevrolet 4-door is next to impossible today. And finding one that has been restored to original specifications? Unheard of! So if you're looking for something different, but still stylish and maybe even a little practical, how about this lovely '57 Chevy 210 sedan? With a 283 under the hood a very '50s two-tone paint job, it will be all the convincing you need to understand why these cars were so popular when they were new.

The paint is code 813C, two-tone India Ivory over Surf Green, which are this car's original colors. The 210 was the middle model, offering a lot of the trim and upgrades of the Bel Air at a more reasonable price. The cool triangular sail panel on the rear quarters is still there, but instead of being an anodized aluminum panel as on the Bel Air, it's painted the same color as the top for a sharp contrast and high style. And wow, the finish on this sedan is really good! Nobody restores sedans to this level of quality, do they? Fit and finish are impressive, and the paint job looks as good in our showroom as it did in the Chevy dealer's almost 55 years ago. All that chrome and stainless probably cost a fortune to restore, and all of it is in very good condition. Details include new Chevrolet script emblems, beautiful chrome bumpers fore and aft, and those trademark bullet-shaped hood ornaments that probably gave Ralph Nader nightmares. Seriously, I just can't get over how nice this car is.

This car also sports a correct code 655 two-tone green cloth and vinyl interior that has been restored using correct fabrics and patterns. The 210 four-door sedan was Chevy's volume leader, and offered six-passenger comfort with a modicum of style that extended throughout the entire lineup. Up front three-across seating is possible thanks to the column-shifted automatic, and the cushions are firm and supportive. In back, there's plenty of room for passengers, and they have a bright, airy environment for travelling. New dark green carpets keep it from being pastel green overload in there, and the lovely Chevy dashboard has been fully restored. The gauges are one step above basic, and it doesn't have the flash of the Bel Air models, but it is functional and attractive with everything within easy reach. Cracked steering wheels are common in these cars, but the unusual color of this one didn't stop the restorer from having it re-cast and restored to new condition. Nice! There's also an original AM radio and aftermarket seat belts for a little added safety.

There's no way to know what engine originally lived under the hood of this 210 sedan, but today there's a very authentic-looking 283 cubic inch V8 that seems to think it belongs in a Corvette. With a nice rumble to the exhaust, it provides delightful performance that will make this car a favorite road trip vehicle for you and your family. Chevy Orange paint really stands out against the pastel and satin black panels under the hood, and the Chevrolet logo valve covers are correct for '57s. And kudos to the restorer for keeping it all stock except for a chrome air cleaner which is easier to maintain and looks better than the old oil bath unit the car wore originally. But otherwise there's an original generator, singe master cylinder, and power steering system that give it an authentic feeling on the road. Underneath, there's a very clean frame and solid floors, all wearing a light coat of rustproofing compound, but no signs of previous damage or rust. The stock suspension remains intact front and rear, and a recent dual exhaust system gives the little V8 a great voice. A new gas tank out back helps make it reliable, and it rolls on a set of original steel wheels that have been painted to match the body and fitted with low-key dog dish hubcaps as it would have been in '57.

Often used up and discarded, the four-door sedans were never all that popular with collectors. But with coupe and convertible prices soaring out of sight, the sedans are starting to get some second looks. If you want to maximize the amount of '57 Chevy you can get with your money, you can scarcely go wrong with this lovely green sedan. The mere fact that it survived and remained so solid for all those years is a testament to someone taking very good care of it, and the restoration it has received undoubtedly cost twice the asking price. Best of all, everything that makes the expensive '57s is intact here: beautiful trim, a powerful V8, and a comfortable, stylish interior. Don't make the mistake of overlooking this sedan if you're in the market for a '57 Chevy-from behind the wheel it feels exactly like a hardtop. Call today!