Man finds classic rusted-up 1957 model abandoned in barn and takes it home – he made it look just like new

AN OLD man’s rusted classic car has been given a complete makeover – after it was left sitting in a barn for decades.

An iconic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air four-door hardtop has been thoroughly fixed up – at least on the outside – having been left abandoned since 1973 before it finally saw the light of day again in 2025.

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In a video posted by YouTube stars WD Detailing, the old Chevy was given a whole new look thanks to their painstaking work.

The team was asked to pull out the Bel Air, give it a thorough cosmetic touch-up, and present it back to the former owner.

However, with the Chevy stuck, with its front against a wall and completely blocked off by heaps of junk, the detailing team found it easier to simply take apart the barn wall and push the car out.

Thankfully, the car had the majority of its 50 years of abandonment with a tarp pulled over the top of it, meaning it was kept relatively dust free.

However, moisture caught underneath has led to rust and erosion of the bodywork, while mice had taken over the interior, with several nests found under the seats and in the glove box.

While the detailers didn’t say how many miles were on the car’s odometer, the interior is in good enough shape to suggest it was well looked after and used sparingly.

Brilliantly, it was relatively ahead of its time, with the former owner adding power steering, dual mirrors, radio, and a dual exhaust – meaning it would likely fetch a high price if fixed up and sold.

However, little is said about the car’s mechanicals and whether the engine even starts – largely because the keys were long missing.

It’s likely that the brakes will need a complete overhaul before hitting the road, too.

Other changes will likely include the spark plugs, while the oil in the engine and air filter will need replacing.

Chevrolet dominated the car industry in the 1950s, becoming the most sought after car marque in America during the decade.

Millions of units were sold each year, with the famous ’55-’57 Chevys synonymous with the three-year timeframe.

The brand then reinvented itself in 1955 when the stylists ditched every last reference to the prewar period and added the V8 to the lineup to create the most emblematic automobile of its time.

One-Fifty, Two-Tens, and Bel Airs become instant favorites, with the top-trim Bel Air the best of the lot.

This comes as another worn-out Chevy was recently discovered on sale on Craigslist for just $2,500 – and there’s a reason for its very low price.

A 1961 Chevrolet Impala recently appeared on the classified advertisements platform, but due to its rough condition, the sports car icon will need a lot of work done to it.

The Impala, which first debuted in 1958, quickly became a best-seller in the US – with the 1961 model year a particularly important part of its long history.

Enthusiasts will tell you that the ’61 iteration saw the introduction of the bubble top styling – which has since become extremely desirable.

But while this Craigslist example is one of them, it will need extensive work done to it by a very patient and dedicated owner, as rust has seemingly caused a number of issues.

Indeed, it might not even be salvageable and, instead, could simply be used for parts.