THIS stunning Chevrolet Bel Air has been the pride and joy of the same owner for more than 60 years. Grace Braeger, from Wisconsin, US, bought the car for around $2,250 in 1957 and never imagined she would still have it all these years later. During her ‘active years’, Grace drove the Chevrolet all over the country and through Canada, racking up over 122,000 miles. Now, she uses the dependable vehicle to go to church, shopping and appointments. Grace said: “What I love most about this car is what fun it is to drive it.” Nicknamed 57 Lady, the car regularly encounters admirers with people taking photos or giving Grace the thumbs up as she drives along. Someone even tried to steal the car in the late 1970s but Grace confronted them. She said: “As soon as I got to the vehicle, the light went on. And somebody was getting out the other side. And I yelled, who are you? And he was gone in the dark.” Grace would only consider serious offers for the car and hopes the future owner recognises the value in it. What is the secret to its longevity? Grace said: “When it needs something, you take care of it. You replace it, you always try to keep it clean and you try to keep it waxed. And you go by the manual."
00:00I never planned to have this car that long. It just happened. This car is very superior.
00:11It's not just any car.
00:17West Bend, Wisconsin. Home to a much loved American classic.
00:24It's one classy car with a distinguished owner to match.
00:30I am Louise. Behind me is my 1957 Bel Air hardtop.
00:45I'm the proverbial little old lady. Takes it to church, goes to the grocery store, and goes to the appointments.
00:54I've owned it since 1957. One owner for 62 years.
01:05Just over 700,000 Bel Airs rolled out of the factory in 1957. But it's rare to see one in such immaculate condition.
01:15I know how to take care of things, and this car proves it. The book says change the oil every 2,000 miles. I changed it every 1,000 miles. I have it serviced whether it needs it or not. That's how you take care of a car.
01:37And a 1957 Bel Air in this condition could sell from anywhere between $35,000 and $85,000.
01:47It's got 122,000 miles.
01:48It's got 122,000 miles now. But those were put on during my active years.
01:59What we're driving on used to be 4th Avenue. And now they call it South Main.
02:05Here's where I went to school during the war. So naturally, I'm not putting on a lot of miles now.
02:18I used to be able to look over the steering wheel. Well, no longer. I look. It's very comfortable to sit back and look under the wheel.
02:29They don't make steering wheels like this anymore. Whoops. I didn't turn there.
02:42The Bel Air was a reasonably priced attractive vehicle. And with it came some special warranties.
02:48Good job Grace kept the receipt.
02:51Midas gave their lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the car. And I'm sure they never thought
03:01somebody would keep their Midas mufflers for 62 years. But I needed a muffler.
03:10A beautiful car like this is always going to attract attention.
03:17Nice car.
03:20And sometimes it's unwanted.
03:22Someone tried to steal this car. The car was 20 years old then. It's the late 70s.
03:30It was parked on a side street. I approached the car and somebody was getting out the other side.
03:38I yelled, who are you? And he was gone in the dark.
03:43And I drove to church because that's where I was headed.
03:50This car is very superior. It's not just any car.
03:57I never planned to have this car that long. It just happened.
04:04Year after year they went by. And I was so happy with it. And everybody else is happy with it. Why give it up?
