57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

[Marc W.]

Does anyone what Vin # that the lower instrument panel (color) changed to the (2nd des)Beige?
Thanks

[Mike M.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

what's your vin #(approximate will do)? the 56-7 judging manual reviision team is currently addressing this problem. almost certainly would have been red lower if early to late-mid production. mike

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

As Mike states black with red interior and a beige lower dash has always been in questions. Few if any have been seen with this color combination, black exterior, red interior and beige lower dash. It is my belief that "2nd design" meant that the beige lower dash was added as an "Option". At the Boston Convention this last summer there was a '57 Bowtie black exterior, red interior with red lower dash. Hope this helps. Regards, Gary....

[Verle R.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

For the last several years I have been specifically paying attention to the dash colors on 57's. When I questioned several owners of restored cars with beige dash, some didn't know but some said the car had a red dash and they painted it beige during restoration. I suspect "the vast majority" of black with red interior had red dash face.

Verle

[James G.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

Page 56 in my 56-57 judging manual (fall 1992, 3rd printing), has Drawing number # 3722955 dated April 29, 1957 calling out the change from lower dash as red on black cars to Lt. beige. Assume that it took a week or two to be installed on the line, so after May 15th or so.

VIN #4007 Air Box racer of Bill Howe Chevrolet was made on May 12th and the factory could have installed beige lower interior paint. BUT THIS CAR IS RED and the car just went thru a very exacting restoration. I think after 4500 vin is more like reality.

[Calvin M.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

Fwiw, my late '57 black with red interior has the red lower dash panel, which I believe to be original.

[Verle R.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

Cal,

What is your VIN# or, if you perfer, build month.

Thank you,

Verle

[Calvin M.]

Re: 57 Onyx Black with Red Trim

Hi Verle -

My car was built in August '57.

The dash had been repainted another color before I bought the car in 1972, but the red was clearly there when I removed the instruments and the hood release and emergency brake brackets.

Cal