Chrome, And More Chrome.

It is without a doubt that the '57 Chevy had quite a bit of chrome. Most 1950's cars were anything but shy on the chrome department, and the 57 kept up with its peers, albeit in a more refined way. Comparing the 57 Chevy to a Cadillac of the same vintage, the chevy is noticeably less chrome heavy.

The beast had one option that my first 57 did not have.... Extra chrome. Where on earth would you put extra chrome on a 57 you might be asking yourself?  It is a good question, but, alas, I am going to give you the answer you seek.

You see in the '50 before Ralph Nader, and his (sometimes warranted) complaints about car safety, most of the interior of the 57 was what would be considered today an injury prone environment. You could easily impale yourself with the steering wheel, or just crash into the metal dash. However, this metal dash tended to be painted the same color as the car. My car stands out because of 2 things. Somebody took the time to actually pad the dash with the same hideous material as the seats, and I have chrome front windshield trim, chrome glove box, chrome ashtray, chrome door moldings... In fact very little of my car is painted the original black. 

Seeing as I live close to Key City Plating, and they have a good reputation within the restorer community, I might go over there and have them give me a quote. Yes, it will be expensive but the chrome is in bad shape. It also "cheapens" the look of the car when the chrome happens to be flaking off of it.

Here is the box full of chrome...

Another neat little thing that is going to be expensive, but at the end will be well worth it. Oh by the way, even the locks are chrome plated...