On the Block: Ringo Starr’s Custom 1957 Chevy
January 23, 2014
Ringo Starr’s custom 1957 Chevy Bel Air is up for grabs! The car is scheduled to be auctioned off in Paris, France on February 7th. It’s expected to fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $54,000-108,000. But, even without the added attention of belonging to a Beatle, this car is special.
If you’re familiar with the legendary George Barris, then you know that the King of Kustomizers worked with the stars of yesteryear. In fact, Barris worked with dozens of legendary actors to customize dozens of cars, including John Wayne’s Pontiac station wagons! And, in the 1960s, Barris was the one responsible for customizing Ringo’s Chevy Bel Air in a way that made it the talk of hot rod enthusiasts.
What made this Bel Air really stand out, aside from the beautiful flame paint job, was the Corvette style side tailpipes. That slight visual modification drastically changed the style of the Bel Air, enough to make the jaws of hot rodders around the world drop!
If you look inside the Bel Air, you’ll notice an eight ball on the gear shift and black dice at the top of the door locks. Kitschy? Yes, but we think they also hold the essence of both Barris and Ringo. Oh, and the six is on top, in case you wondered.
For more pictures, check out autoevolution’s report… and contact us if you want to sell your custom car at the next Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show on March 2nd. You’ll have a chance to mingle with some of the most knowledgeable car collectors in the United States. Who knows… maybe a discussion about Ringo’s Chevy can help you break the ice!
I remember when they raffled it too it was in the mall of the bluffs colorado springs i was 7 yrs old at the time i used to walk right by it untill they raffeled it off
I would like to know who won the contest for Ringo Starrs 57 Chevy ? I believe I’m related…….