Bruce Springsteen's 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210
This is your chance to own a huge piece ofRockn'Roll History.
The carin which the boss actually crafted his signature song, "Born To Run".
- Rumors as to the vehicle's whereabouts have perplexed Bruce's fans for the
- past 7 years. Articles have been written that the car seemed to vanish from
- the publiceye. However, the 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible has now
- surfaced once again. It is now beingoffered for sale, undoubtedly the
- mostsignificant if not the only Bruce Springsteen car to be owned privately.
1.Bruce’s first set of wheels, purchased May 21, 1975 for $2,000.
2.The artist’s signature songs “Born To Run”, “Thunder Road” and “Backstreets” were written in this car.
3.Featured in Bruce’s autobiography titled, “Songs” he writes:
“In ‘70’s New Jersey, the car was still a powerful image. That summer I bought my first set of wheels for two thousand dollars. It was a ‘57 Chevy with dual, four-barrel carbs, a Hurst on the floor and orange flames spread across the hood.”
4.The lyrics for the song “Racing In the Street” came from this ’57 Chevy:
“I got a sixty-nine Chevy with a 396
Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the floor”
5.Featured in the book titled, “Backstreets” by Charles R. Cross, noted Rock n’ Roll historian names this vehicle “The Ultimate Springsteen Collectible”.
6.After the release of Bruce’s record “Born To Run, the car was featured in the October issues of both Time and Newsweek Magazines, ironically
both on page 57.
7.The car was featured in the March 1976 issue of Playboy Magazine and appeared on various promotional items including a poster and t-shirt. This 1957 Chevy Convertible became virtuously synonymous with Bruce Springsteen.
8.From October 2008 until January 2010, the Chevy was featured in the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame Annex in New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg posed in the vehicle for pictures. This car was the most popular artifact at the museum.
9.In January 2010, the Chevy was moved to the main Rock Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH where it became part of the largest Bruce Springsteen exhibit ever.
10.Bruce was forced to sell the car in the Spring of 1976 due to his “new found” fame, it stood out too much, so he purchased a more subtle 1960 Corvette in black, which he still drives to this very day. No other Bruce Springsteen car has been offered for sale.
11.The ORIGINAL vehicle registration, temporary insurance card and Allstate insurance card in Bruce’s name and address are included with the car.
12.The Time, Newsweek and Playboy magazines featuring the car are included.
13.An extremely detailed color book encompassing 80 pages has been compiled by noted Bruce Springsteen historian, Michael E. Crane including all documentation and known history of the vehicle. A copy is included in the sale.
14.The current owner has invested over $35,000 in overhauling the mechanical and electrical systems of the car, the body and frame are untouched just the way Bruce owned it.
15.Mechanical: The motor was replaced with a custom built gm 350, a single barrel chrome plated carburetor by Edelbrock was installed. The car’s got balls. Chrome plated custom valve covers with Chevy logo, chrome plated PVC valve and air intake as well. All belt pulleys are chrome. Power brakes were installed with new rotors. Muncie 4 speed manual transmission was rebuilt, replacing gears 2 and 4, original Hurst shifter with wooden knob remains. The radiator is rebuilt, steering rods replaced, heating coil and fan replaced with OEM parts. Gas tank was dropped, cleaned and re-installed. The entire engine compartment was stripped, power washed and repainted black. The manufacturing tag is present and highly visible. The exhaust system is a pair of aluminum coated magnaflow mufflers with chrome plated tips on the pipes. The car rumbles like a Harley!!
16.Electrical: The wiring harness was replaced with new. A chrome, extra large alternator was installed to power the electrical system. The $5,000 stereo system features Audison amplifier, Hertz component speakers custom built into kick panels at the front of the car. Bass speakers are built into the floor panel in rear of car. The stereo is unbelievably loud and clear at high speeds with the top down. The motor for the convertible roof was replaced in addition to the hydraulic pistons. The clock was replaced with an OEM part. New voltage, oil pressure and engine temperature gauges are featured under the dash and a new tach mounted on the steering column.
The Chevy was appraised and insured for $850,000 while on display at the
Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame.
For a copy of the book "Out In The Street: Bruce Springsteen's 1957
Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible"(80 pages) documenting ownership,
history of the vehicle, the appraisal and including many rare photographs
never seen before:
Please send an 8.5 x 11 self addressed envelope with a money order for $18
payable to:
"Blindedbythelight.com"
1180 Avenue Of The Americas
8th Floor
New York, New York 10036
theboss@blindedbythelight
- Condition: Used
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Bel Air/150/210
- Year: 1957
- Mileage: 2,600
- VIN: VC57B204492
- Color: Yellow
- Engine size: GM 350
- Transmission: Manual
- Interior color: Black
- Options: CD Player, Convertible
- Vehicle Title: Clear Want to buy? Contact seller!
