There are 10 Chevrolets in 1957

This Chevrolet Bel Air, decorated with Eldorado-style tail fins, is the creativity of a Canadian businessman who dreams of building a smaller Cadillac

Cadillac’s 1975 Seville is the brand’s game-changer, bringing GM’s most luxurious nameplate to the Americans in search of smaller, affordable cars. Twenty years ago, buyers were unable to use the option, so a Cadillac fan in Canada set out to build something in the same way, and one of the very rare surviving examples is about to break into the auction scene.

Reuben Allender is not in the automotive business. He made money from textiles – a lot, but he also liked Cadillac and thought a smaller version of the 1955 Eldorado would be popular. So he set out to create one, building his first car on the 1956 Chevrolet, which had a 195.6-inch (4,970 mm) shorter than the Eldorado.

Related: 1957 Chevrolet “Hellair” hides a dirty surprise

But because the fiberglass Eldorado-style tail fixed to the rear quarter of Chevrolet has a similar look, and it also has a very similar name, El Morocco, which was obviously used from the Manhattan nightclubs at the time.

Other changes include a modified grille containing a pair of “Dagmar”, rocket-shaped protrusions named after the glamorous girls and TV stars of the time. These are actually inverted ’37 Dodge Headlight Cannonballs.

Steel fins and small pieces of power supply

Next season, Allender’s Team changed from fiberglass fins to steel fins, and the Chevrolet in the next race turned into a 1957 newer Chevrolet, while the lower body side styling mimics the appearance of Caddy’s flagship store Brougham. The front end this year isn’t that gorgeous, but the grille is cleaned up by removing its central bar, while Moroccan lettering replaces the stock Chevrolet name chosen to retain above the V-hape Hood Emblem Allender.

Photos Mecum

These engines hold the standard, but it’s not a tough one, as Chevrolet’s legendary tiny debuted only in 1955 and was ahead of the competition. In 1957, it ranged from 265 cubic meters (4.3 liters) to 283 Cu-In (4.7 liters), and has optional four-tube carbs, just like one of the carbs in this car, rated at 195 hp (198 PS) of solids, which is sent to the rear wheels via a two-speed motor autopilot.

Mecum Auctions said the drop was one of only 10 cars built for 1957 (other sources suggest only two convertibles were produced that year). It covers only 78 miles, as the recovery of the recovery must make the owner pay a small fortune.

An expensive passion project

These cars aren’t cheap either when new products, and the car is reportedly priced about 30% higher than Chevrolet’s donors and is too close to the price of a real Cadillac. Even so, Allender failed to make money on the joint venture and called it the day after two years.

This is the auction on May 17, as there is no reserve, it will be sold possible. But to give you some kind of stadium estimate, Mecum sold the same car for $220,000 in 2021. You can view the auction list hereor learn more about Allender’s crazy Chevillac project and check out the archive pictures that add these fins coach.

Photos Mecum