A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, parked along Central Avenue in downtown Faribault during the July 20 Faribault Car Cruise Night.
DARWIN LINGERS, gripping the handles of his wife’s stationary wheelchair as he admires the 1957 India Ivory and Matador Red Chevrolet Bel Air.
Alma seems equally mesmerized, transported back in time to the days of early motherhood and mobility—of youthful legs and a Chevy that hauled her family from farm to town and beyond and back home again.
When the family grew too large, the couple ditched the Bel Air and upgraded to a roomier station wagon.
Admiring the popular 1957 Chevy Bel Air in downtown Faribault.
But on this Friday evening so many decades later with the kids grown, one deceased, the aging farmer and his wife lock their eyes on the Bel Air waxed to a glossy shine. They remember the days of kids piling into the backseat of the 57 Chevy.
Darwin wishes out loud for that Chevy, just like the one parked on a Faribault city street on a late summer evening. Alma, hands clasped in her lap, nods ever so slightly in silent agreement.
I placed my camera on the sidewalk and angled it up to capture this rear view shot of the 57 Bel Air. And, yes, the date on the license plate says 1956. My husband insisted the car is a 57 and I checked numerous sources to verify the year.
I wonder, as I wander away, how many other such memories are sparked by the old cars and trucks parked along Central Avenue during Faribault Car Cruise Night.
As treasured as those vintage vehicles are for their monetary worth, it is the memories which hold the most value. Just ask Darwin and Alma.
Just another shot of the 57 Bel Air because it was so photogenic and I simply fell in love with this Chevy.
© Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
My favorite color!! It is a beauty and what a great narration—I am sure there were many memories washing over folks as they viewed these!
That Chevy Bel Air was my favorite car at the show. Unfortunately, the owner was not around when I was taking the shots so I couldn’t quiz him/her. I wish I had included Darwin and Alma in some of my images. Why didn’t I? They were such a sweet couple.
Thanks for clarifying how you got the shots. I had some really funny mental images going through my head! ROFL! A friend of mine had a pastel teal blue Bel Air. Gorgeous cars!!!!
They are gorgeous cars, especially the color of this one.
So you thought maybe I was wiggling around on the sidewalk taking these shots. I’m way too old for that and probably wouldn’t do that even if I was much younger. Last summer I saw a news reporter/photographer take shots like this, by setting his camera on the ground. I only recently tried this myself and like the interesting angle and perspective. You never know, though, what you’re going to get since you’re basically shooting blindly. I’ve been pleasantly pleased with many of the results.
I really think your photography is just getting better and better…so professional! Can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog and am so thankful I ‘found’ you, dear bloggy friend!!! Hugs, D
Thank you, Doreen. Glad I found you, too.
Beautiful car. Next week at the Paradise car pARTs: a juried exhibit about cars is opening. A lot of the pieces are about old and collectable cars.
Just got my postcard in the mail about car pARTs. So wish I had gotten an entry in to this juried show. I know you suggested I enter, but time, oh, time was too short. Will that excuse work? You should coordinate with the Faribault Car Cruise Night people to promote car pARTs.
Beautiful story – I owned one (actually two) of those 57 Chevys and they were the best!
Thank you. And I bet you wish that you still owned one of those Chevys.
What a beautiful car and I bet the family wishes they had never sold it! xx
Pretty much they wish they’d kept their Chevy.
I love this and the story that goes with it. That last shot with the bank title above it, is spectacular…well…all of them are great. I wanted a 1950 pickup but my husband said I’d have to learn to work on it If I was going to get it. Kris
Thank you, Kris. How the bank image turned out surprised me as I set my camera on the street, angled and clicked without seeing what, exactly, was in my frame. So, when are you taking your first mechanics class?