I took this ’57 Chevy story back in 2009 when I didn’t question what I heard from the owner—who turned out not to be the owner.
I’ve learned to fact check since then, but in 2009 this car’s story was one of the early MyStar owner’s stories.
The real owner contacted me about the real story after he spotted the 2009 MyStar story behind his ’57 Chevy.
Jerry Sutherland
Rick Nelson is the proud owner of this beast, and he provided a boatload of information about his car. He was clear on why he owned the car: “I always loved the ‘57 Chevy and felt they epitomized the 50s-60s hot rod”.
Rick described his first impressions of the car: “I found the car in Regina–rare because there was no internet back then, and you kind of heard about cars by word of mouth. The ‘57 was red, had no interior, and had a 283 2bbl. carb engine with a 3-speed standard transmission. The car ran if you sat on an orange crate, was one color, but had paper mâché repairs and a big paint run on the passenger side”.
Rick did what every smart car guy does—he mapped out the project: “I kind of formulated a game plan, as I wanted a “post” car. I had a hardtop, tunnel-rammed small block, wanted to try a supercharged small block”.
Body work was also high on the list: “I had a friend correct the body work, and spray it a color I never had before, similar to Popular Hot Rodding’s Project X”.
Rick handled the mechanical side: “I built the blown 355 small-block Chevy and tied it to the narrow 12-bolt Chevy diff with a built Super T10 4-speed and competition clutch. suspension, drive train, etc., was all home built. It has a 4-bolt main, steel crank and blower pistons paired to a camshaft I designed and custom large c.c. combustion chambers with 2.05” intake valves, etc.”
Rick’s ’57 Chevy was a family build: “Our family did the interior at home (mom, brother & me)”.
He built it for the street: “I drive it when I get the chance, and the car was in my wedding party. The car is a beast, but is modulated through a trained right foot, and the mentality that “I break it, I fix it!”.
This ‘57 Chevy does the car show circuit and it’s been a great experience for Rick: “We have travelled to various events in Canada & the U.S., most notably standing in for Popular Hot Rodding’s Project X at Super Chevy Sunday Seattle in the late 80’s at the request of George Elliott(editor/chief)”.
There were other highlights: “The ‘57 was the cover car on Northern Wheels 2nd issue, without a formalized photo shoot. The cover photo was taken by the editor, Clancy Adams, parked on our main drag in Regina, Albert St. My brother borrowed the car to take his girlfriend to a wine and cheese party at the host hotel for the Western Canadian Nationals”.
The ‘57 was also the feature car in the Lethbridge Car Show in 1986.
Rick has even met car guy royalty thanks to the car: “At a car show in Regina in the mid-late 80’s, I was videoing the car with my new “Beta” machine, when I received a tap on the shoulder. It was none other than car customizer extraordinaire, Mr. George Barris! He motioned for me to keep videoing, as he stepped over the ropes and started to describe my car in very kind words. After a few minutes, he gave me a “cut” sign and walked to me to tell me to keep that tape with the car, it will add to its value if I ever sell it. I was floored and told him I never will”.
The real story behind this ’57 Chevy has to have a happy ending, so Rick summed it up this way.
This car has always been mine, since I bought the “red” “partial” car in the late 70’s. Our family has always enjoyed it and it will be passed on to my son when I am gone.
Rick Nelson
By: Jerry Sutherland
Jerry Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer with a primary focus on the collector car hobby. His work has been published in many outlets and publications, including the National Post, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Regina Leader-Post, Vancouver Sun and The Truth About Cars. He is also a regular contributor to Auto Roundup Publications.
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