The Chevrolet Tri-Five, a timeless icon of the 1950s, fascinated the automotive world with its sleek design and powerful performance. Produced between 1955 and 1957, this full-size car became a sales sensation, moving nearly five million units.
A key factor behind its popularity was its affordability and availability with Chevrolet’s innovative small block V8 engine. The Tri-Five lineup offered a diverse range of options, encompassing six body styles and three trim levels, catering to every preference, from the basic 150 to the luxurious Bel Air.
Despite the passage of seven decades, the Tri-Five remains a beloved classic, though many examples have succumbed to the ravages of time. However, certain variants stand out due to their rarity and desirability.
The Nomad, with its distinctive two-door station wagon body style, is among the most sought-after, with annual production figures below 9,000 units. The 1957 Utility Sedan and Delivery Sedan, though less coveted, are still relatively scarce with their four-digit production numbers.
The pinnacle of rarity, however, is reserved for the “Fuelie” variant. This designation signifies the presence of fuel injection, a revolutionary technology introduced by Chevrolet for the 1957 model year. This system allowed the 283-cubic-inch V8 to achieve an impressive one horsepower per cubic inch output.
While the V8 engine was a popular choice for the Tri-Five in 1957, the fuel-injected version was a limited production run, with only 1,530 units produced. This represents less than 1% of the total 1957 production, making the “Fuelie” a highly prized collector’s item.
One such gem that recently caught my eye is a 1957 Chevrolet One-Fifty “Fuelie.” This two-door sedan, one of 71,135 produced in 1957, is currently up for auction in Raymond, Mississippi. While the seller claims the engine and fuel injection system have been rebuilt, the absence of a “V” stamp on the VIN raises questions about its authenticity as a true “Fuelie.”
Despite this uncertainty, the car presents itself beautifully with mostly original paint, new floor mats, and a restored interior. With three days left in the auction, four bids have pushed the price to $38,100, and over 100 people are watching closely.
The potential value of this car hinges on the authenticity of its fuel injection system. A genuine “Fuelie” could fetch upwards of $50,000, while a non-original car might struggle to justify a price tag above $25,000.
