00:00 I never planned to have this car that long. It just happened. This car is very superior.
00:11 It's not just any car.
00:14 West Bend, Wisconsin. Home to a much loved American classic.
00:22 It's one classy car, with a distinguished owner to match.
00:29 I am Ruiz. Behind me is my 1957 Bel Air hard top.
00:41 I'm the proverbial little old lady. Takes us to church, goes to the grocery store, and goes to the appointments.
00:57 I've owned it since 1957. One owner for 62 years.
01:04 Just over 700,000 Bel Airs rolled out of the factory in 1957. But it's rare to see one in such immaculate condition.
01:15 I know how to take care of things, and this car proves it.
01:22 The book says change the oil every 2,000 miles. I changed it every 1,000 miles.
01:30 I have it serviced whether it needs it or not. That's how you take care of a car.
01:37 And a 1957 Bel Air in this condition could sell from anywhere between $35,000 and $85,000.
01:47 It's got 122,000 miles now. But those were put on during my active years.
01:56 What we're driving on used to be 4th Avenue, and now they call it South Main.
02:06 Here's where I went to school during the war.
02:14 So naturally I'm not putting on a lot of miles now.
02:19 I used to be able to look over the steering wheel. Well, no longer.
02:25 It's very comfortable to sit back and look under the wheel.
02:30 They don't make steering wheels like this anymore.
02:35 Whoops, I didn't turn there.
02:42 The Bel Air was a reasonably priced, attractive vehicle.
02:45 And with it came some special warranties.
02:48 Good job Grace kept the receipt.
02:51 Midas gave their lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the car.
02:58 And I'm sure they never thought somebody would keep their Midas mufflers for 62 years.
03:06 But I needed a muffler.
03:10 A beautiful car like this is always going to attract attention.
03:14 Nice car!
03:16 And sometimes it's unwanted.
03:19 Someone tried to steal this car.
03:22 The car was 20 years old then.
03:25 It's the late 70s.
03:27 It was parked on a side street.
03:30 I approached the car and somebody was getting out the other side.
03:36 I yelled, "Who are you?"
03:39 And he was gone in the dark.
03:42 And I drove to church because that's where I was headed.
03:46 This car is very superior. It's not just any car.
03:54 I never planned to have this car that long.
04:00 It just happened.
04:03 Year after year they went by and I was so happy with it.
04:09 And everybody else is happy with it.
04:12 Why give it up?
04:14 [Music]
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