But the AMA only "recommended" this edict. General Motors, worried at the time about pressure from the government, followed it. But the AMA never mentioned anything about vehicle manufacturers making parts available to racers as well as for sale to the general public. So, manufacturers skirted the edict and "back-doored" newly developed parts and pieces to racers for testing and evaluation in actual competition.
50 Years Of Influence
As you can see, the 1957 Chevrolet has meant much to millions. It also helped start a restoration industry. Folks talk about the '57's really cool multi-colored interiors and dash, the hood rockets, the front bumper bullets, the Bel Air's trio of gold front fender indents, and the awesome rear fender tail fins. And folks probably always will.
Back in the late '50s, many '57s were customized into doo-wop and rock & roll song-blastin' chariots for the majestic World of Wheels car shows, local shows and for magazine stories. They were lowered, had Desoto or Olds Fiesta wheel covers, dual spot lights, tubular front grilles and were nosed and decked.
Many also sported names on the lower front fenders or the right bottom corner of the trunk lid with names such as "Earth Angel" after a song by Little Anthony and the Imperials, "Lightning Strikes," a song by Lou Christie, "Little Darlin'" by the Diamonds, "Angel Baby" by Rosie and the Originals, "Rockin' Robin," and many more.
For 50 years, the '57 Chevrolet has never left the world arena. It has only gotten better and better and better. Amen.
Chevorlet Production Versus Ford
To set the Ford versus Chevy sales records straight, we checked many sources including Jerry Heasley's "The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars" (produced in 1977). From 1931 (the year before Ford introduced its flathead V-8 engine) to 1970, Chevrolet's total calendar year car production exceeded Ford's in every year except 1935, 1945, 1959 and 1966.
| YEAR | CHEVY | FORD |
| 1954 | 1,414,352 | 1,394,762 |
| 1955 | 1,830,029 | 1,764,523 |
| 1956 | 1,621,005 | 1,373,542 |
| 1957 | 1,522,536 | 1,522,408 |
| 1958 | 1,255,935 | 1,038,560 |
Chevy's 1955 sales bested its 1954 totals by 415,677. Ford's 1955 sales bested its 1954 total by 369,761. Chevy's 1956 cars sales dropped 209,024 from the 1955 record total. Ford sales also dropped by a whopping 390,981. In 1957, Chevy sales still declined but only by 98,469. Ford sales declined by 148,866. The U.S.A. economy was headed into a recession in late 1957. Many attribute this to not only the 1957's drop in overall sales but to 1958's further sales decline by both manufacturers.