00:00I never planned to have this car that long. It just happened. This car is very superior.
00:11It's not just any car.
00:17West Bend, Wisconsin. Home to a much-loved American classic.
00:24It's one classy car, with a distinguished owner to match.
00:31I am Ruiz.
00:35Behind me is my 1957 Bel Air hardtop.
00:45I'm the proverbial little old lady. Takes us to church, goes to the grocery store, and goes to the appointments.
00:55I've owned it since 1957. One owner for 62 years.
01:03Just over 700,000 Bel Airs rolled out of the factory in 1957, but it's rare to see one in such immaculate condition.
01:14I know how to take care of things, and this car proves it.
01:19The book says, change the oil every 2,000 miles. I changed it every 1,000 miles.
01:28I have it serviced, whether it needs it or not. That's how you take care of a car.
01:35And a 1957 Bel Air in this condition could sell from anywhere between $35,000 and $85,000.
01:43It's got 122,000 miles now, but those were put on during my active years.
01:53What we're driving on used to be 4th Avenue, and now they call it South Main.
02:04Here's where I went to school during the war.
02:08So naturally, I'm not putting on a lot of miles now.
02:14I used to be able to look over the steering wheel. Well, no longer.
02:20It's very comfortable to sit back and look under the wheel.
02:26They don't make steering wheels like this anymore.
02:31Whoops.
02:33I didn't turn there.
02:37The Bel Air was a reasonably priced, attractive vehicle, and with it came some special warranties.
02:44Good job Grace kept the receipt.
02:47Midas gave their lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the car,
02:55and I'm sure they never thought somebody would keep their car.
03:00I'm sure they never thought somebody would keep their Midas mufflers for 62 years.
03:07But I needed a muffler.
03:13A beautiful car like this is always going to attract attention.
03:18Nice car!
03:20And sometimes it's unwanted.
03:23Someone tried to steal this car.
03:26The car was 20 years old then.
03:29It's the late 70s.
03:31It was parked on a side street.
03:34I approached the car and somebody was getting out the other side.
03:39I yelled, who are you?
03:42And he was gone in the dark.
03:44And I drove to church because that's where I was headed.
03:50This car is very superior.
03:53It's not just any car.
03:57I never planned to have this car that long.
04:02It just happened.
04:04Year after year they went by and I was so happy with it.
04:10And everybody else is happy with it.
04:13Why give it up?
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