Woman Bought Her 1957 Chevrolet 64 Years Ago and Has Been Driving It Ever Since

Grace Braeger 1957 Chevy

According to the latest report from IHS Automotive, the average person buys 9.4 cars in their lifetime. For many drivers, however, it can be hard to let go of a car you really love. This was the case for an elderly lady named Grace Braeger. She bought a 1957 Chevrolet the same year it was released and has been driving it ever since—that’s 64 years!

In 1957, Braeger bought the car for $2,250, just before the 1958 models were released. Her particular car was a demonstrator, meaning it was used as a display model in the car dealer’s showroom. The '57 Chevy, as it is often known, is an auto icon. At the time of its release, it was popular among drag racers, and a later model (Chevrolet 409) even inspired the Beach Boys song, 409. The '57 Chevy is now a highly sought-after collectible classic car, but Braeger isn’t keeping it as a status symbol. She continues to drive it simply because she loves it.

In a video produced by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Braeger is interviewed about her car. “I chose to keep the car all these years because I had no reason to give it up,” she says. “I had no major problems with it.” Today, Braeger doesn’t drive too far, but she has used her '57 Chevy for long journeys in the past. And surprisingly, the classic car is in almost-perfect condition. “I was raised during the Depression, and we learned to take care of things,” reveals Braeger. “I think that’s had a major bearing on my still having this car today.”

Watch Braeger talk about her '57 Chevy below.

Grace Braeger bought her 1957 Chevrolet 64 years ago, and it’s still the only car she drives today.

h/t: [Laughing Squid]

Related Articles:

MINI Created an Electric Model Putting a Sustainable Spin on the Classic Car

Retro DIY Lawn Mowers Inspired by Classic Cars

Classic Posters of Iconic Movie Cars

This Cutting-Edge Company Can Transform Any Classic Vehicle Into an Electric Car

Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Staff Writer and Video Editor at My Modern Met. She earned a BA in Fashion and Textile Design at the University of Ulster in Belfast. Originally from Northern Ireland, she lived in Berlin for many years, where she fostered a career in the arts, dabbling in everything from illustration and animation to music and ceramics. She now calls Edinburgh home, where she continues to work as a writer, illustrator, and ceramicist. Her ceramics, often combined with hand-painted animation frames, capture playful scenes that celebrate freedom and movement, and blend her passion for art with storytelling. Her illustrations have been featured in The Berliner Magazine as well as other print magazines and a poetry book.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits