American Muscle 1957 Chevy Bel Air 1/18 Scale Die Cast Vehicle ERTL 1991 NRFB

The 1957 Chevy Bel Air has become a "classic" American car in every sense of the word and, when powered by the new fuel-injected 283 horsepower 283 cubic inch V-8 engine, it was capable of performance to make it one of the first "muscle cars" as well.

Dramatic changes from one model year to the next were expected in the 1950s. Although the 1957 Bel Air was primarily a restyling of the 1955 and $56 models, the '57 incorporated the engineering and styling developments so successfully that it has become the definitive American car of the 1950s.

Mechanically, the biggest news was the "Ramjet" fuel-injected 283 horsepower 283 cubic inch V-8 engine, one of the first to produce one horsepower per cubic inch. Teamed with the close ratio 3-speed manual transmission, the Ramjet 283 was capable of 14-second quarter mile times and a top speed near 120 mph. Though many other engineering changes were incorporated into the 7, it was the engine and styling which made this car so desirable.

Styling included the massive chrome front bumper and grille unit, chrome side ornamentation to accentuate the longer and lower look and, of course, tail fins.

It is this blending of performance, engineering improvements and classic styling which has made the '57 Bel Air one of the most famous, collectible and sought after American cars. It was the last, and the best of the "classic" Chevys.

1/18 Scale Die Cast Vehicle - Collector's Edition - Contains 1957 Bel Air - Ages 8 and up - ERTL 1991

There is some wear on the outside corners and edges of the cardboard box. Additionally, there is some dents and wrinkles in the plastic display window.