Skip to main content

EBay's auctioning Bruce Springsteen's ride, a yellow '57 Chevy convertible

bruce springsteen 57 chevy ebay 1957 bel air
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Want to own an iconic piece of rock and roll history? Bruce Springsteen’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible is up for  auction on eBay. The current bid is $350,000 and the reserve has been met, so that means the car will sell. If you have the interest (and the bucks), the auction ends Monday, December 19, 2016, at 11:50 p.m. ET.

The Boss sold the car in 1976, according to the eBay listing. The Chevy has changed hands twice since Bruce sold it, so you could be the fourth owner. Also according to the listing, when this car was exhibited at the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, it was appraised and insured for $850,000, half a million higher than the current bid. It will be interesting to see if there’s flurry of last minute bids on eBay.

Just to be clear about the vehicle, it’s a used, 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible model 150/210. It has a custom-built V-8 GM 350 engine and a rebuilt Muncie 4-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. The exterior is yellow with red flame outlines and the interior is black. The engine is not stock nor are many of the mechanical and electrical parts. The listing claims only 2,600 miles but you can assume that means miles put on since the new engine was installed, which the listing says “rumbles like a Harley.”

While the mechanical and electrical systems were entirely redone, according to the listing, the body and frame are “untouched just the way Bruce owned it.”

The Chevy is mentioned in or was the inspiration of a number of Springsteen’s songs. Legend has it that he wrote the songs Born to Run, Thunder Road, and Backstreets while actually sitting in the car. Included in the auction are copies of Time, Newsweek, and Playboy magazines with feature stories about the car.

So Bruce Springsteen’s car on eBay is much more than just a ’57 Chevy, as wonderful as those are. It’s a piece of rock and roll history waiting for its next owner. Could that be you?

Bruce Brown
Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more