My mom and dad both purchased new 57 Chevys before they were married. Dad lost his left leg in Korea so he only drove automatic transmissions since before I was born. His 57 was a Bel Air and had the Turboglide transmission with a 283. It had dual 4 barrel carbs on a T manifold, but he swapped them out for a single carb because it burned too much gas. He liked bench seats because they were easier for him to get in/out, but he didn't have those fancy red seats hike her Bel Air does.
Mom's was a Two Ten and it had a three speed Synchromesh manual (column shifter) with a 235 straight six. That car is still sitting in the field behind their old house, but it's just a rusted shell. Somebody shot out the windows and the radiator was stolen for the copper a few years ago. Dad sold his to a restorer sometime in the mid 90's. Mom died in 86 so there was no way he was ever going to sell her car.