One Among Us: Driving the same vintage car for 53 years
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 12. 2011
- In 1957, Grace Braeger of West Bend traded in her old car, threw down $2,250 hard-earned dollars and bought a '57 Chevy. Since that day long ago, it's been her only car. The now vintage vehicle carries special importance to Braeger and a unique authenticity that you just can't buy. Video by Michael Sears
#vintageauto #vintagecars #chevy #chevrolet #57chevy #wisconsin #car #westbendwi
"One lady owner"
"Low mileage"
"Regularly serviced"
The true holy trinity
"People don't know how to take care of cars"
Truer words were never spoken
SINCE MOST CARS DIDN'T HAVE SEAT BELTS UNTIL 1964; IT'S WORTH IT TO BUY A CLASSIC CAR TO EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM TO NOT HAVE TO WEAR THEM UNDER THE LAW.
superman superman people back then drove safer because they knew the dangers. Nowadays, with front and side airbags, collapsible steering column, ABS, traction control, blind spot and lane departure warnings, so on and so forth, people just don’t care. They don’t drive as safe. There also wasn’t all the distractions in the 50s like there are today. Cell phones, and indash screens and such. ...you seriously wanna share the road with these people when the ONLY thing that may save you is that optional seatbelt? They hit you, they get a new car, you on the other hand, what will you have?
FACTS LOL
Van Damage this isn’t about the car, it’s about the driver. Modern cars are designed to be safer. They’re also designed to be throw away consumables. They take the bulk of the impact because they were designed to have crumple zones and be unibody. You’re also supposed to replace them rather than restore. That’s what the manufacturers want. And, under all those plastic panels, it’s still steel.
I'm not surprised the car is running, but the pristine condition of the body is amazing.
Cliff Yablonski
Not sure how that factors into this car's astounding condition. Most garaged 5 year old cars with over 100,000 miles don't look this good.
That was sorta what I implied.
steve b
How did it roll 100,000 miles.On blocks?
+Cliff Yablonski
Just had to be That Guy, didn't you...?
today cars if they are garaged for long time will deteriorate because of plastics and materials that decay over time.
Grace Lenore Braeger, 94, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023. Thank you for sharing your beautiful car with the world! Rest in Perfect Peace! 🕊🕊
What happened to the car then?
RIP
What a Beautiful Lady. So sorry to hear of her passing. God rest her soul!😇😇
Awh man RIP to an iconic woman 😭
Holy crap, that was four days after my fourteenth birthday. Can’t believe that I am learning about this now.
"I was raised during the great depression". That's all she needed to say to understand why she still has that car.
she's fos. That would put her at nearly a century old. She was raised by parents who grew up in the depression.
@@carl5381dude this video is 11 yrs old. She most def lived through the depression
@@carl5381you’re full of shit. She just passed away at 94 this means she was born in 1929 so yes she did grow up in the Great Depression. Fuck I hate morons like you, the audacity.
when your granny has a car with more cylinders than yours
Sure, but grannies speedo stops at 120 mine goes past 200 :D
AinokeatoProductions sure
@@minista365 I have a 2019 RT Scat pack charger. That Chevy is nice and all but it's not taking on this 392
@DovahKrieg It's a nice car, and it'll look great in my rear view.
Modern 4 cylinder cars are spanking this, but the condition and overall car is nice af.
This lady knows more about cars than most my friends
its like dog owners talking about their dogs
Dank Citrus not really I know a lot about that car as well I call myself a fellow car enthusiast
Eggsthetic Guy im 12 and have been aroud trucks (semi trucks in America ) and cars my jole life amd ik alot
Amie Toohey dad taught me everything about what’s under the chassis when I was 12. Even abused me over it.
@@mondobananas1832 wait a minute...
We’re a “throw away”society, leaving shit for for our youth. Fix your broken items and respect what you have. Respect to this woman
Well, we'll be leaving them debt.
Maybe apply this under a political economic lense
This is why I want a pre 2000s car as a first car, keep old cars running (P.S. I am from the UK so £5000 is $7000 for Americans)
sus
pretty sure this car has been extensively restored
"I kept the car all these years because I really had no reason to get rid of it." Spoken like most from her Generation. Now we have so much waste. It's sad to see. Very refreshing to hear her speak.
HELL BROTHA! YOU FATHER WAS DOING THE LORDS WORK! GOBBLESS!
-VIA SAMSUNG SMART FRIDGE!
FORKLIFT OPERATOR-1960-69
Well said.
I guess it all depends on the era you grew up in. People who grew up before the automobile was invented, held onto their horse and wagon.
@@felixmadison5736 thats only if they couldnt afford to upgrade. if they had a _reason_ to switch to a car, they absolutely would. this woman simply had no _reason_ to buy a new car.
Maybe this woman could not afford to upgrade.@@nikoc8968
Try buying a new car now and see if it lasts as long.
You take care of it like she does this one, you never know. Just gotta get it from the right brand. Some car manufactures build cars betters than others.
***** I own a beige 1968 autostick beetle and I fully restored it in a year and a few months. No one really at my age of 22 understands the gift of a classic car.
Newer cars are proven to last longer than older cars. 100,000 miles used to be about the time an engine would need an overhaul. Many now days can way longer than that. My mom has a Camry with over 300,000 miles on it and my dad's Cutlass Ciera has 250,000.
***** My Grand Am GT is on 260k miles. My Saab (all original, no major work done) at 175k... You just gotta learn how to take care of the car, like she said, change oiler sooner. Take more time to care for the car...
YouonPictures For sure. It certainly won't last if you don't. My dad was a mechanic and had mentioned that cars (especially American) couldn't go nearly as many miles as they do now. He was comparing the 70s and older to 90s and newer, somewhere in there. Maybe he just saw the junk? I haven't really researched the validity in it.
Speaking of high mileage cars, I do see a lot of GM V6s with a ton of miles. They seem to be one of the particularly good motors.
She paid nearly $20,000 in today's cash for it. I'd say she got her money's worth.
More like $65000 in today's currency
Damn cars are waaay overpriced due to all the lies, bullshit and ass-hattery the car dealers commit in the commercials to try to peel your money from you. After all, SOMEBODY has to foot the bill for the commercial. Who even goes from stealer to stealer anymore to kick tires when it can be conveniently done online wheee you can find more details about the car to make an informed decision AND you dont have some fool twisting your arm to buy HIS so he can earn the commission (and you end up with a car that you are not happy with tomorrow)?
I’d buy one if Chevy would make it right without recalls
She’s averaged 2300 miles a year lol. She really didn’t need a car, if we are being honest.
She payed 2200$ to correct you it may be worth something like that nowadays
She must be feeling like an imposter in this society for having such a suspiciously good-looking old-school car.
But still, I am glad that such people exist among us.
😳😳😳 I think we need to have an emergency meeting to find out who sabotaged society, since it doesn’t seem to value holding onto cars.
@@themanguy2110amongst us are suspicious individuals who care little for being responsible for the tasks given
She unfortunately passed away last year. At least she was with us as spme point
As a Sept 2023 update, I've learned that Grace passed away on 8/24/2023 after going into a Senior community in 2021. She also stopped driving at age 92. (My own mother stopped driving at age 95.) RIP, Grace Braeger. You've shown us the value of holding on to real classics. Bless your soul.
I would've REALLY loved to speak with Grace about how she avoided engine failure on a motor that actually required LEADED fuel (for its valve seats). Was it re-built? She didn't say. Also, how did she avoid any wear along bumpers, steering wheel, paint, brightwork, etc. I mean, keeping it in a garage is great, but how does ANY car avoid any signs of wear in WISCONSIN?? From one auto enthusiast to another-- God Bless You, Grace!!!!! 👍👍
She has probably passed by now. She said she grew up during the depression
Maybe not. She would be about the same age as my mother, and mom is 93 years old now and still driving. She stays in town, church, bank, shopping and my house. Her old Caliber has been giving us problems, this might be the last summer for her driving. It seems like a lot more traffic on the road, even in my 40 years of driving. It must be really scary for someone moms age.
Hard to believe, in Wisconsin! Apparently she never drove it during the winter. It would be a total rust bucket if she had.
She died last month.
@@Marc-js8rx No idea.
I wish cars and trucks still came with bench seats. It's like riding down the road on a sofa.
I agree but bench seats are not safe in a crash
That way you can get 6 people in the car.
@@commenter7893 I just like being able to stretch out and take a nap.
I have bench seats, front and rear, in my Ram 1500 Mega Cab. Seating for 6. Bucket seats and a center console are the stupidest invention ever. They reduce seating and give you 2 cup holders.
I’m also no expert on these type of cars, I like them but don’t know much about them. But I don’t think they have seatbelts either
Is no one going to talk about how nice and precious she is?
She is a cutie, isn’t she?
I am Sir/Ma'am.
Way better women than the ones colleges are putting out today. I’d marry her way before any of these feminazi hose beast today.
I'm 35 and I want to spend the rest of my life with her!
Goes without $AYING....$HE'$ PRICELE$$ , this car belongs in the Smithsonian someday !
This just goes to show, when you take care of something, it can last a lifetime
I have an iPhone 6 from 2014, it can barely run any modern app. Technology moves quickly, all the parts in my PC are younger than 3 years old, and I'll still have to replace parts within 5 years. Cars can be a bit different, but my family has had 2 Fords that would cost more to repair than they're worth, both made it to about 160,000 miles. Japanese cars will last longer though.
Yes so true. There was a man in my town who had a 1947 Chevy Aerosedan (fastback) He bought it new and drove it until 1998. The car was never restored (1 engine rebuild at 96,000) His eyes went bad so he parked it.
@@Jake-rs9nq then youre doing something wrong. Im a computer engineer so you wont win this argument. 1680v2 from 2013 is like 15% slower than a 9900ks from early 2020, gpu tech is advancing much faster but as far as processing.... w3690 from 2009 15% off i3 12th gen...
@@kiyanharchegani2588 Cool story buddy.
@@Jake-rs9nq dont be mad you dont understand computers as well as you thought
If everyone did this, the American economy would collapse! 😂
No it wouldn’t. The American economy is not based on the automotive industry. If it was it would have collapsed years ago.
@@vladtheimpala5532 The two biggest factors driving the American economy are housing and cars. This is really just common sense if you think about it. Think about the two biggest things that people spend money on. Most people have more than half of their income tied up paying for a house or rent and their cars. Now imagine that everyone stopped buying cars. A huge number of people would be out of work. It's not just car makers who would be in trouble. Anyone who helps manufacture or mine for materials used in cars would fall on hard times as well. Companies who drill for oil, process oil and other fluids that go into cars, mine for metals, design rubber or plastic products all would be affected. Even many people in the high-tech industry would be affected as today's cars are now full of computers. Millions of jobs would be affected. It would be a disaster if everyone did this.
@@GrnXnham
The automotive industry isn’t even in the top five.
Construction is number three and that includes all construction not just housing but I didn’t say anything about that.
If everyone stopped buying cars the economy would take a significant hit but it wouldn’t collapse. (Although it might collapse pretty soon anyway for other reasons.)
A lot of the cars people buy today aren’t even American cars. That’s not to say that they don’t contribute to the economy but it’s not like it used to be back in 1957 when this lady bought her Chevy.
www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/042915/5-industries-driving-us-economy.asp
@@vladtheimpala5532 thanks to japan and their fabulous ideas of making automobiles into plastic and depriving it of any sense that once said luxury. I hate everything about modern asia, they think their so great by building glass sticks and driving cars that you could practically take insparation from technology because their ideas and minds are so limited to knowledge of creativity and attractive living. Noe I'm not sure if it is Japan or China, Taiwan, or Korea that changed automobiles but it was one of the the corporations.
@@artdecotimes2942 Robert McNamara had a similar approach at Ford during the early 60s, also if you look at f.ex GM they had an entire arsenal of modern, compact cars in their European division to combat the Japanese imports but the US car industry just didn't adapt during the 70s
I agree with her when she said that she’s never seen a car that looks better than the 57
Btterthanyu if old cars were as safe as newer models i’d also by a 57
@TheRango789 "it" being safety?
1970 Dodge Charger. That's what looks better :P
I dont.... beautiful car though.
I personally prefer any European car, don't hate me, but the citroën DS, was more beautiful, more reliable, and more advanced
Now that's a cool looking grandma with a really nice car
I have to agree, back In the 80's my grandma drove a 68 impala ss that was red with a black rag top that she bought new, I thought of it as a granny car back then, It's strange how your perspectives change over time, that was a pretty cool car, I think it had a 427 in it.
Bet all her thing's are well cared for
@MrThirtyTwo I know that now but she was the typical old lady who could barely see over the steering wheel and dove it very slowly, I can remember her trying to pull into a parking spot going back and forth several times to maneuver it straight hearing the low thump, thump, thump from the exhaust. Unfortunately when she died my dad sold it to one of my brothers friends for three hundred bucks in the late eighties who thought it would be a perfect demolition derby car :( The rag top was in bad shape but it ran well and had little rust and the original red paint. Had I only know then what I know now.
It is a 57 Chevrolet Bel Air after all.
Who in the hell thumbs down this vid? This is awesome. Absolutely love it, and would love to go for a ride with this wonderful lady.
Car manufacturer's association. Their worst fear is that people will start keeping their cars one or two years more.
Car companies lol
i'm here for AMOGUS
She is the definition of a responsible adult. Very sharp and independent lady.
And so well spoken...full command of vocabulary....
How can you be so naive
Responsible?...... is that a joke?
She drives without a seat belt and her car is so old that she could of bought a brand new car on the basis of fuel economy alone.driving around with that would cost you more in fuel costs than you would have saved if you had bought a new car.
A brand new piece of shit that has higher costs of ownership and repair bills if anything goes wrong? The car has 116000 miles over 53 years, fuel economy is hardly a consideration for such few miles, and lets be real here, shes pretty old, has a fully working car thats all paid for and won't get anything cooler then that 57 chevy.
"Making a new car creates as much carbon pollution as driving it" it,www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2010/sep/23/carbon-footprint-new-car
ENERGY CAR
5 x New cars in 50 years = 5 x 17 t CO2 = 85 t of CO2
1 x New big car in 50 years = 1 x 25 t CO2 = 25 t of CO2
ENERGY GAS
5 New Cars: 116 000 miles @ 11 mpg = 93 t of CO2
Old Car: 116 000 miles @ 9 mpg = 135 t of CO2
SUMMARY: car plus gas
*5 New: 178 t of CO2*
*1 Old: 170 t of CO2*
Anyone wanna realize how good and lucky of a driver she gotta be to not get in an accident after that lomg
not too hard to avoid accidents when you only drive it 180 miles a month lol. she would only have to fuel up 6-7 times a year lol
Lol zaddy
Yeah I drive super safely and some dude bumped into me while stopped at a stoped light! No damage but goes to show, with enough time and miles
Women dont make accidents. They cause ah hell of ah lot especially when they r too beautiful. Tell meh if ah lie
Common sense is a better safety device than any of the overengineered modern junk i cars now.
This is a big reason why I’m a car guy. Cars are so much more than just transportation. Like with her, a car carries a story with it and becomes a part of major memories of a persons life. My car is a 2018, but I hope in 50 years I can look at the car in my garage and say the same thing
You definitely won't have a 2018 in anything more than 20 years LOL.
If you take care of it, I’m sure you’ll still have it! 👍
No surprise that the car still keeps on going, but the way you took care of the car! It looks like it just came out of the factory, you did an amazing job! No rust marks, no dents, no ANYTHING! Imma say you found yourself a hidden gem!
116 thousand? She’s just breakin in.
'Oil changed every 1000 miles'. THAT'S why it still runs. This lady took good care of her car. I remember the owner's manual for my '60 Mercury, it recommended 6,000 mile intervals.
An average of 2,189 miles per year.
Wyatt's dad woah buddy, it’s not a diesel relax
If I remember from the Day, when a vehicle hit 100,000 miles it was done for and ready for bone yard on average.Materials and specifically manufacturing tolerances were not what they are today,
@@FINEDENTIST Exactly, my grandfather told me you'd be lucky to get 70k out of a car back then.
For her sake, I would really hate for that car to ever be stolen.
Or wrecked
She passed a year ago, unfortunately.
@@Rachietutu thanks Mr downer now I'm sad
it would be easy to steal, put the starter solenoid to positive and arc the poles until it starts, and you're off.
She sold it before she died
I had a 1955 Chevy PU in 1976. It got slammed hard in the front by a speeding car while it was parked. It was totaled and a junk yard took it away. I had a good time in that truck. Carried a lot of loads in that truck. Fire wood, Coal, Brush, Furniture, and many Friends. I drove it to high school prom with a white king size sheet covering the seat. The only time it got stuck was if the mud or snow exceeded the ground clearance. One time I had it piled high with firewood and both back tires went flat. I had to unload it to change the tires cuz the jack would slip sideways. It would get stuck in 1st gear sometimes and I had to pull the shift linkage back into alignment.
Many great adventures in that truck. I sure miss those days.
when she said, "I can't say that I've seen a car that I like better than this"
I felt that
“I have a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air in perfect condition”
Rick: best I can do 20 bucks
Lmao 🤣
ReefleksPlayz lol yeah
Rick: I’m really taking a risk here
1950s: let’s make cars look futuristic and colorful with metal hub caps and colorful seats. Feeling cool in your cars.
2010s: let’s make cars cheaper. No thought in design. black or gray interior in basically every car and basically throw away cars no excitement in cars much at all.
Rick: I mean it’s hard to sell, there’s really no market for them.
Alright folks you know the drill. I’ll see you when CZcams recommends this in 5 years
I'm already here from 5 years ago
See ya soon buddy, hopefully the world didn't end and someone in 50 years is watching this on a terminal they stumbled upon.
that thing was made in 2011, see you in 5 years when ill reply back here
K cya
See you in 5 years 👍
2 gal coolant in the trunk + regular services!
...and the 57 Ladies roll on!
Fantastic!
AMONG US
She’s gotta be the coolest lady on the block.
Gotta be
RPT Enterprise you are the CEO of unnecessary rude comments
Daniela V who? There is no comment
Love it. She can drive this land yacht but "city girls" these days can barley drive the fuel injected pea pods.
+Kevin Isam That's because they don't make women like her any more, just like the car she drives. Better times.
no need to drive if you live in a city is there?
Eightbanger not better times at all. She lucked out and bought a car that parts are readily available for. Most aren't that lucky.
john smith YEE YEE brother
@john smith what does that have to do with not needing a car when living in a city? Everything is in walking distance where I live, so I very rarely use my car and even then for only carrying my hobby equipment and driving to our summer homes.
Growing up in Cuba this was my favorite American car. Still is, among the 50s cars still rolling in Cuba.
It truly doesn’t get more og than this
I really love her style but if everyone could keep cars for that long, 95% of car dealers will go broke.😂😂
Dealerships...err, I mean stealerships can go bankrupt for all I care!!!
@slight o hand planned obsoletion iphones are good at that
@Alex Frideres go back to north korea
technically it's not lasting any longer than a normal car, it's just being driven a lot less. Any car could last for a long time if you're putting less than 2500 miles a year on it. I bought my car brand new in 2009 and I already have 10,000 more miles than this car.
Maybe then cars will be cheaper lol
I've seen cars that were in worse condition from 2019 in 2019, this lady knows how to take care of her car.
Fuck yeah she does, I own an 08' ford edge with twin turbos and it doesn't look as good as her chevrolet
True
So True my 2019 Altima is a piece of shit my 2017 Maxima is much better I drove both off the lot New
Yeah I wonder who her detailing / maintenance guy is
@@thetranspanzer3692 for real. There is no way that paint is original.
*AMOGUS*
one *AMONG US*
Been driving the same Corolla since 1980. Got it when I was 17 I'm now 56 and still driving it. 710,000 miles on it and still runs good.
The ideal car story everybody wishes they had. Glad you have that experience!
My respect to you !
Al Bundy’s dodge had over a million!
You should tell Toyota about that car, they might put you in a commercial.
Can you make a video about it
When everything was built to last.
When people took care of their property.
Kudos to this awesome lady!
You crackhead cars are still built to last today. Some don't last as long, but the last thing a car manafacturer wants is a premature failure that causes someone to die.
Alec Bailey Cars aren’t built to last today. Come to think of it nothing is built to last nowadays.
People say that today cars are build to be obsolete, but they are really are build for safety. This car here looks nice, but it is a brick. If you crash with it, even at low speeds, the car may survive, but you will be hurting.
@@LetsTakeWalk at low speeds these new vehicles are not going to survive. They will be "totaled" by the insurance companies. Because they are built to "crumble". Older (pre-1980's) vehicles were not built to crumble upon impact.
Don't bend out of shape by that.
Vehicles of today are built with " crumble zones" for safety... OK.
And there's a TON of other "safety features" in them... I personally don't trust them to function properly. They are operated with computerized sensors... And I have witness them malfunctioning.
Give me a good old fashioned vehicle that won't crumble and break my face with 200 mph airbags.
Vince Dunn you don’t understand WHY people die in crashes do you
Sales guy: “It was owned by a little old lady the whole time! She barely drove it. This thing’s a peach.
Customer: “Sure buddy, whatever!”
Yeah😞
AMONG US!
This is what's called spending money wisely
Investing. The car was even in 2010 more worth than new.
Why spend money wisely when you can vote for government's who'll spend your money on things that most people don't want, and by your money I mean the poors money. :'D
Living frugally is the best way to live, being debt free, having a good credit score, really enables fleeing from socialist countries in search of capitalist ones. Spend wisely, live free.
@@rhedinrage1601 being debt free and having a good credit score cannot coexist. You get a good credit score by taking on debt and predictably paying it off at an agreed and prescribed rate. Even paying off things early to reduce your interest expense hurts your credit score, albeit less than not paying it at all. People who have zero debt, always pay in cash, have zero credit, because no financial institution can reference your financial history to determine you coefficient of risk when determining a potential interest rate.
@@rhedinrage1601 also, most people don’t realize the difference between what they want versus what they need, hence the need for govt in the first place. If people could omit paying taxes for fire departments and police and roads and retirement and such, then the ones who choose to do that will invariably require the use of each of those soon enough. Paying taxes is a good thing. Wasting tax money is a bad thing. Giving the ultra rich tax breaks is wasted tax money. Increasing the defense budget when the military leaders are telling congress they don’t need it is wasting money. Paying a fair tax to pitch in for police protection, fire help, and solid infrastructure is a very, very good thing.
Until you get arrested for not having a seatbelt, this is the problem with having an old car.
"Many people have told me 'i had a 57 Chevy and I wish I had kept it'... Well, why didn't they?" -savage af old lady
davetube because they has hard times and bills and couldn't afford the gas or insurance they didn't have 10s of thousands in 20 different banks with millionaire dad's like u did you old prune
I.C.E Agent MAN, are you dumb? He just quoted the lady at the end.
This is what a car looks like when you take good care of it. The low milage is a product of driving out of necessity. Great looking car ma'am. Good Job! 😊
Josey Wales doesn’t cost much to take care of your car. Oil is cheap, you need to pay for gas one way or another, and keeping your paint nice is a matter of spending a bit of time each week to keep it nice and waxed. Nobody cares enough though.
Try doing this today and you'll still be making payments on it 30 years later
In todays money you could get a lot of cars for cheaper than she bought that for
@@vis108 She paid $2,200 in 1957. That would be $20,500 in 2021. There are very few cars that sell under that price, modern starter cars tend to cost $25,000-$30,000. The Camry and Accord are famous starters/cheap options, both start at $24,500 now.
Recycling in it's purest form. Grace has certainly loved and looked after her Chevy and it rewards her every day.
She is literally the perfect owner for the car. She drives it like a shopping cart but changes the oil ever grand! That’s crazy
Edit: I could give a fuck about the stupid analogy I used or what she does or where the car it as now. I make the comment well over 2 years ago but CZcams says it’s been 2. This just showed that you can’t even say something simple without having SOMEONE feeling the need to say SOMETHING about it. Fuck outa here
Inpaintballwetrust the reason is probably because its takes like a year or so to reach the 1k mileage
@@tserchintan2417 she said sometimes it takes less miles becasue she drives it less, which means she changes in every few months , not only when she passes that 1000 mile mark
@Frank What for real ?
@Frank But didnt she say she was 80 something in this video ?
@Frank You gotta be wrong man
Bless her heart... May they both keep running for many miles to come!
Trondyne um I think she sold it:/
@@leonardo-ed9kk and I oop
Jonathon um what
@@leonardo-ed9kk I don't know
Jonathon ok
Four door hardtop, 4-barrel carb on a V-8, power steering and brakes. What a great configuration of a vehicle. God bless her for keeping it and having it maintained for all that time. I've been driving my 61 Impala for 45 years but it's not as nice as hers.
Two door
What impressed me to no end is this woman has at least basic knowledge about cars. My kind of lady !
Our roads need more vehicles built from from 1955 through 1972. These years are good local drivers. So glad you kept this classic on the road since 1957! Great story......thank you for sharing.
3:25 "I have the oil changed every 1000 miles and do everything by the book"
When someone's grandma who only drives 2000 miles/year has better sense with cars than 1/2 of today's car buyers...
Well chevys are not made like they used to .. you would be lucky to get to the first oil change before the engine blows up I have seen a few videos were the AFM failed 3 times with in 7500 miles
for a new 2021 model.
after 2014 model year they jumped off a cliff ... (as long as you had the AFM disable chip you could get 250k or more miles out of them)
facts
@@punker4Real 3 times out of one truck, how many out of all the trucks have they died within 7500 miles? you also got to remember they produce alot more cars, alot more cars mean alot more things to go wrong, Yes some fail right out of the factory but wasn't that the same with the classics as well when they came out? I say cars are alot better nowadays, before you had high fuel consumption/ no seatbelts or airbags. the cars and engine's themselves were heavier; now cars have much lower fuel consumption have safety features are much lighter and majority of the time if taken care of it can get hundreds of thousands of km as well. unlike older cars the newer ones can actually warn you ahead of time if something is going to go wrong it does depends on what is breaking. it can also tell you when to change the oil and such. but they are weaker first of all the engines are no longer made out of cast iron; some are still made out of cast iron but now most are made out of aluminium, they are lighter but cannot deal with someone missing a oil change or not letting it heat up slowly or driving it for 20 miles parking it for a hour and driving again. a cast iron block would do much better. In the end cars are much better then the classics when it comes to almost everything, yes some do die right out of the factory but i bet it would be the same for the classics.
@@hunterbear2421 3 random engines were duds out of the box though?
@@hunterbear2421 we can agree that the engines made from 1990 to 2006 5.7L 4.8L,5.3L,6.0L,6.2L, were the most reliable engines made
many of them made it to 250-300k miles with basic maintenance......
3:33 look at that parking 😂 bless her heart
Oh, sweet jesus 😂
Thats funny as hell. I didnt notice that park job. Not centered and a tire on the sidewalk. LMAO!
CamKai82 “gee willackers what was that thump ?”😂
@Patriot Jefferson what about other side of the door..
If she's had the car that long and kept it in such pristine condition, and even keeps it so CLEAN, she can park however and where ever she wants 😂
I'm driving a landrover discovery which was bought 35 years ago but still runs great and can go cross country from Ghana here to any other country. It can attain a speed of 160km/ h if you wish to accelerate.
3:48 she's literally parked on the sidewalk
And she's walking over the grass hahaha
53 years no accidents
Generalbob989 no seatbelts...she better be a good driver.
To be fair, one accident in a tri-5 (aside from a light fender bender or scrape) and you'd be severely injured, if not dead.
Dilly Dally actually they did indeed have seatbelts. I think they were a factory option since seatbelts weren't required back then and they were only lap belts so its possible she either doesn't have them or is wearing them and its just not noticeable.
Seat belts were not an optional feature for Chevy's in 1957. They were for Fords but only lap belts.
@Hideika Exactly. Most people don't even know what a speed limit is
Paid $2,250 for it, now it's worth $50,000.00+. You did pretty good there lady.
Luckystrike 50k if it’s all original. She said it was restored in the 80s so she most likely won’t get much over 20k for it today.
there is no way she's spent anything under 20K for replacement parts on that thing
@@karlosbricks2413 It totally depends on how many miles she has put on it.
No only the two door Bel Air is probably worth that much, this is a 4 door Bel Air but still it would attract more than 2 grand...........
For 53 years of ownership, I'm sure $50,000 isn't really a profit considering what she's spending on maintenance and parts. She said it's 116,000 miles. So it's definitely been driven a bit. She's spent a good chunk to keep it in that condition, think about it.
What a sweet lady. She loves the 57 Chevy and has taken care of it all theses years. When a design is timeless, why buy anything less.
I watch a lot of car videos, this one made me smile. She is absolutely right, she could never find a better car.
"I had no reason to give it up". Consumerism disliked this.
this is what happens when you take care of your vehicles
soulless one
or rarly drive them
or both
And when there not built like junk
HOPE SHE'S STILL DRIVING IT
what a lovely story and a perfect example of why all of us don't need to "upgrade" or get the newest model of whatever. Beautiful car and a beautiful story of resilience.
Yepper. When I inquire about a classic car and someone starts this upgrade or aftermarket stuff then conversation ends there.
Chevy should have used this woman as their mascotte or at least for marketing purposes.. before things got bad..
This was nine years ago. A good chance she's dead. And someone picked up that car in half a heart beat.
Frequently Cynical Also good chance she’s alive. Looks pretty healthy there.
Frequently Cynical She’s not dead, and she finally bought another car
@@manny3918 aww she did? why?
Chevy needs to give her a Corvette ZR1
Give it a doug score
Lmaoooooo
Not until she goes over the quirks and features
V sparkyAK lol
well slap my ass u watch him to lol
I’ll start off here with the doors
The 57 Chevy still looks beautiful than todays cars!
Kinda sus doe
I have a restored 57 Chevy and they are real solid, great car.
A testament to the way things used to be in this country. When we built things to last in this country before we settled for overseas crap. This story is both nice and sad.
Baldi Locks Like the 58 caddie for example a real tank and before all the government regulations regarding emissions controls and fuel economy. Gas was cheap then and there were far less cars on the roads polluting like now.
Another sappy American drinking the environmental kool aide ,you cant even see fucking china from space and you are worried about American cars
Jane, don't be a tree-hugger, it's soooooo boring.....
you clearly don't know jack shit about cars
Baldi Locks true but its the world we live in now
Oh my god I love this woman. She just said "Preventive Maintenance". Not many people understand the importance of PM.
@@MidwestFarmToys Irrelevant. Im stating that she understands the importance of PM, Preventive Maintenance, which she stated. Has nothing to do with the car whatsoever.
Miles doesnt mean much when components fail due to lack of maintaining the working systems...or part failure
@Adolf Kitler (nice name) what does PM mean?
@@koenigsschwert2452 preventative maintenance*
Ace B oops i wanted to know what preventative maintenance means i just made it short to PM
That's the dream, man; an absolutely beautiful '57 and the resources to maintain it.... Someday, I hope that's me.
My grandma's last new car was a 1963 Buick LeSabre, which she kept until the day she died.
I work at Braeger Chevrolet and I am SO SO SO SO SO proud of Grace and her beautiful '57 Chevy. Way to go Grace!!!!! :-) We are glad you kept her on the road all these years and are taking such good care of her!! From all of us at Braeger, Thank you and happy motoring!!! :-)
Jamie, how did the undercarriage of Grace's car keep from rusting up?? It should
be in the scrap pile! I congratulate her. Sweet lady.
this be a nice video to send to Chevrolet of GM as a testament of how good their cars were made of the early years.its rare to find someone like her or anyone doing what she did.
Because she only drives about 2000 miles per year.
so maybe you can solve the mystery
- the video shows her parking the car outside-
I see no way the car could maintain the shine on that paint after 53 years in the sun and the inside dash on top exposed to the sun would be cracked and faded and in really bad shape after sun / ultraviolet rays for that long.
And a 4 barrel that did not sell during the model year ?
That would have been a hot car - why no sale ?
I watched the whole video. So what if it was a demo?
I once bought a demo myself.
If there were lots of 4 barrels available then I understand why they may have kept the demo.
I suspect there were not that many if any 4 barrels around very long and someone would have snatched up the demo -
maybe granny got it for drag racing.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix (or replace) it!
Sanbika well that car has pretty much no safety features. So the car will crumble in any accident
@@BenDover-zq6ey - Crumble? The extent of your foolish ignorance truly slays me. Do yourself a favor and stop trying to speak knowledgeably on subject matter about which you obviously know absolutely nothing.
Problem is people want something new all the time. Even if they made cars to last much longer wouldn't matter. most people like change. I am like that lady though, I hate change and would keep the same car, chair, anything forever. Why are things made with built in obsolesence? Because people don't want something forever so why make it last forever.
When it breaks, no matter how small, fix it. It will never become an old beater.
@@BenDover-zq6ey more like that car will crumble anything it hits! Lol go do some research kid this car is a tank
Gorgeous example of a ‘57 Chevy. She bought a really nice car. I cannot imagine it wasn’t parked in a garage and never winter driven. That’s the way to make cars last for decades. Keep them out of the elements when not in use in the summer and keep them in a heated garage all winter. Then, of course do all the required maintenance and keep them clean. I bet this woman did all of those things.
Compared to modern cars, this car is a chrome spaceship
Thx for so many likes
Cars were ALL about style back then
Killcard101 I miss that
@Sparky Runner, actually no. Every bone in her body would break and you would walk away. You're car is not made out of plastic, it had steel crumple zones which take the brunt if the impact, but makes a car like hers dangerous. Look up "Chevy Malibu vs Chevy Bel Air crash test"
@Sparky Runner, huh???
Today's cars are ugly, cramped, over engineered, bland, weak, junk. I do not see many of them ever being sought out for restoration or collection. They are the ugliest cars ever to come out.
grandma know how many cylinders in her engine. RESPECT!
That's rude. Don't assume that anyone is stupid only because one is no longer 25! When she bought the car back then, she was a young woman and she certainly had enough basic education to know what she was going to go for.
What car did you buy back in 1957?
@@karstent.66 womb car.
@@karstent.66 Most women don't know what a dipstick is.
t. Works in an instant oil service center
@@karstent.66 Open a dictionary, and learn what the Word "rude" means
@@eE-wn3fs rude mean e E, a nameless individual that hits itself behind a blue e. That's rudeness!
Grace's spirit of contentment was truly exceptional. Godspeed, ma'am.
🙏 So inspirational to be a Good Person & to Do Good Deeds with Wisdom like Miss Grace Braeger with her 1957 Chevy! ( Chevrolet ) ... Proper care & good preventive maintenance do prolong the life of mechanicals indeed! 🙏 Thank You So Much for the illumination & wishing Many Happy Good Blessings in Return to Miss Grace Braeger & her '57 Chevy! 🌷🌿🌍💜🕊
The finance department really worked with her she only has three payments left.
Anthony Nelson lmao made my day
Hahaha truly funny!
Anthony Nelson simple, dont buy things you cant afford
Hahahaha thanks for the laugh
Good one.
If I had a car for 53 years, I would use the car as my coffin when the time comes.
That would be a waste of a good car. I'd rather pass it on to someone who will cherish it in life rather than be selfish and let it rot with me. But that's my opinion.
cars are rolling coffins made of steel , rubber , n glass.......
They would want a million dollars to bury you in it
It already costs a fortune for a small wooden box
Funny lol, but yea i agree with @@HostileLemons it would be a waste of a nice car
@@driver4011 Don't forget the plastic. Lots of plastic.
Very sweet. And thanks for keeping it up and sharing it.
This car is truly a automotive thing of beauty it's not a hot rod not a lowrider it's just perfect just the way it is ORIGINAL 😊😊😊😊😊
Yea i agree but hot rods and lowriders are beautiful as well
Lennie yes sir, how it should be!
Yep, the good ole days when a fender bender would give you whiplash so bad you'll be lucky to walk afterward.
Lennie Hunter i hate the cut roof shit low ridershit
It's a deathtrap with a deadly frame defect.
Should be renamed Staying classy for 53 years
Yea definitely
Amazing! What a testimony to workmanship in those days and her care and maintenance!
What a delightful video, story and charming lady!
i love this old lady!
You should offer to marry her , nice young healthy man would bring her alive again .
Bruce Burns true, haha!😂👍✌
She will out live you so you don't get her car. These old people will live to be 101 & still live 10 years more if you piss them off
Michael. RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ driving around camera crew
Michael. RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ "shes a danger om the road", yeah moron i bet, is that why her car is 60 years old and its never been in a crash? dumbass.
Imagine having her as a grandma
I have her as a dad. He's had his 57 Bel air for 55 years
Well my father's car was a 1998 Nissan Micra for 19 years and 5 years later I still remember the day we took it to the scrapyard.
@@florjanbrudar692 boohoo. A late 90s Nissan. So sad...
Said no one ever. Probably a CVT failure or some plastic timing chain stretching LOL
Among Us
And that’s a testament to how cars were made back then…incredible 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
3:57, savage grandma walking through the grass
LMAO
LOL. Thanks.
Et Cetera Ya she said screw it who cares.. i agree with granny
Et Cetera wow😂😅🤣
When you see people you dont like
This is literally goals. Think of how much money she saved from buying new cars every few years... and how much fun she has driving it
And NO smog checks!
@@michaelbenardo5695 Or seat belts.
not 'literally'.
@@keithhinchcliffe5629 touche
The car is a gas guzzler though, a new car would pay for itself in gas savings.
But it's an antique, a collectible.
Old is Gold. Carry on dear Lady.
You and your car are true classics. I wish I knew you and we could enjoy your '57. My thanks to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for producing this video and your intelligence to know a classic when you bought it.
some kid will end up with this and tear it up
This car will never end up in the hands of some "kid". Beautiful one owner car, matching numbers and all original.
This will someday be purchased by a true collector like Richard Griot ( Griots Garage), Richard Rawlings (Gas Monkey Garage) or Danny Koker for his collection/museum in Las Vegas.
oreilly auto parts raffled off a custom built 57 chevy..some kid totaled it, think it was called the chubster.
Eddie Knox well good for the chubster, its still extremely unlikely.
I am just a kid but I plan to preserve the past not destroy it don't assume most kids will(though I do agree with you)
Eddie Knox really unlikely it'll just be bought by a old man with 50 other cars
Damn that's beauty's in mint condition.
I ordered 66
I know, the car isn't bad either.
+Rogue-Spear. lmfaooo
steve b why! inflation that bad
The cars not bad too.
Hopefully you are still out there and driving this treasure. Thanks for this video ☺️🌴🇫🇯
I don't think it's necessary to change the oil every 1000 miles but it sure doesn't hurt. This lady is full of class she is old school all day keep it up, Grace!
Back when cars meant something, back when companies cared...
And that's the reason that I hate newer cars
@Robby Dey Three years? Most cars from the 1950s lasted about 10, depending on where you lived. Rust of one of the biggest issues in colder climates. Yes, cars from the 2000s are more reliable; it's common to see cars over 15 years old. However, they are still older cars with less electronics. Many newer cars are shockingly unreliable, like the Range Rover for example. We don't know the long-term reliability of new cars because they are too young, but they are becoming increasingly complicated.
Arun Parkin Range rovers have been shit since the 90s. British cars being unreliable turds is nothing new.
Still like some though
Odins Spear shut the fuck up.
Or are you blaming a group of people for a fault of capitalism, which you’re too scared to admit?
Odins Spear I’m not saying communism is better, because it’s not by any means. But why the hell are you blaming jews for all of this? And if jews are at fault for both the greed that causes planned obsolescence, and the total oppisite, then what?
“I had a 57 Chevy and I wish I had kept it.” “Well why didn’t they?” WELL DAMN GRANDMA, out here hurting feelings while flexing her mint condition car haha
this kinda annoyed me, i mean if u never have a big problem with ur car over fucking 50+ years than great of cause u can keep it but if ur car is falling appart or u want a car that isnt a paperbox on wheels that protects u in an accident than u need a new car...
@@A_Human_Male same, grandman in video was just lucky... :P
I had a 1968 Dodge Coronet R/T and I wish I kept it. Why didn't I? Because I sold it and bought a 1969 Firebird. I wish I would have kept that car. Why didn't I? Because I sold it and bought a 1970 Roadrunner. I really wish I would have kept that car. Why didn't I? Because I sold it and bought a 1971 2door Chevelle with factory console and bucket seats. I wish I would have kept that car, but I didn't. I sold it. Why? Because I wanted a 1971 Satellite Sebring Plus. (and more) I just traded a 2018 Cherokee Limited for a 2020 Cherokee Trailhawk. Why do I keep doing this? Because it gets boring being stuck with the same car. For some guys, it's kinda like women. I got my eye on a Grand Cherokee SRT, or maybe a Power Wagon, or...
@@A_Human_Male what car do you own? some cars are just unreliable
@@nemesisgaming1951 Not really, I daily a 69 Impala the last 3 years. Its definitely more upkeep than a new car and rust is a issue because my car is entirely unrestored. As parts go and rust sets in I fix it, because I love it. Probably cheaper than getting a new car every 3 years anyway