BUTCH

The Story of Barry and Nancy Wallner’s 1957 Chevy 150

We originally met up with Wallner back in the late-’80s, when his 270hp three-speed Sierra Gold Nomad was a top show car example, having won Best Original Restored at the National Nomad convention—twice.

A Car with History

Nicknamed “Butch,” Wallner’s white ’57 150 grew up in central California near Bakersfield. It was a heater-delete car that moved in with Wallner and his wife, Nancy, when it was just a lad of 20. Evidently, Butch was a seasoned drag car that they purchased without engine and transmission. On the upside, it had the very rare California one-piece front and rear bumpers and a seamless (lighter) frame. It was restored at home with assistance from friend Butch McDow. The chassis features all-new suspension, brake components, fuel and brake lines and body mounts.

Power and Performance

A legitimate ’57 283 Power-Pack V-8 engine was machined and bored out 0.060 inch for 292 ci at Gillespie Machine in Roodhouse, Illinois. Carlinville, Illinois’ Casey Boyett did the assembly. The compression ratio is about 9.5:1. A Duntov 270hp solid-lifter camshaft, otherwise known as an “098,” lets the engine make power to 6,000 rpm. The induction consists of a factory 270hp dual-quad setup. A pair of 350cfm Carter WCFB four-barrel carbs sits on the Chevy aluminum intake manifold. A Mallory electronic ignition system fires the cylinders, while highly sought-after Stahl fenderwell headers scavenge the exhaust to a pair of Purple Hornie glass-pack mufflers, with full tailpipes exiting at the rear.

Transmission and Drivetrain

Chevy’s first four-speed, the Borg-Warner T10, became available in May 1957. Butch has a four-speed, but it is a heavy-duty Muncie unit produced in the ’60s. It is actuated by a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. The clutch pedal actuates a heavy-duty GM truck clutch—just like the good ol’ days! Covering the clutch assembly is a vintage Ansen scattershield.

Restoration and Aesthetic Details

In the looks department, Wallner performed most of the body prep and then McDow applied many coats of the car’s original color, Imperial Ivory. The 150’s interior was renewed at Bill’s Custom in Bethalto, Illinois. All of the same silver and black fabric was purchased at C.A.R.S. in Detroit. Butch also has an exact-reproduction rubber floor covering, since 150 models usually had no carpet. If one did, it was an extra-cost option.

Rear End and Suspension

The original differential now packs a 4.11:1 positraction thirdmember. The leaf springs are held in check by a pair of traction bars. While the car is generally not raced, the Wallners uncovered a very rare set of J.C. Penney-brand 800/850×14 cheater slicks.

On the Road and at Shows

Butch is driven all over rural western Illinois, but for car shows a few hours or longer from home, Butch rides inside an enclosed trailer so that Barry and Nancy can survive humid summers in their air-conditioned Chevy pickup tow vehicle. Sitting in front of Butch in the Wallner garage is a rust-free ’57 Bel Air two-door hardtop with a numbers-matching 283 Power-Pack, Powerglide transmission, tinted glass, dual rear antennas and skirts, and in the final stages of a full restoration.

A Crowd Favorite

At the 2003 Fred Gibb Memorial Car Show in La Harpe, Illinois, last August, ol’ Butch was like a magnet. Droves of onlookers crowded around staring at its antiquity. All then gave Wallner a smile and a thumbs-up! Multiple questions then usually followed. If there were a Most Popular Chevy award, Butch certainly would have been a top candidate.

A Legacy of Classic Chevys

In all, the Wallners have owned 10 ’57 Chevys and a pair of Cameo pickup trucks. While their Sierra Gold ’57 Nomad was a flawless two-time national show winner, we believe “Butch” will be how folks best remember Barry and Nancy Wallner.