Body Off Restored Bel Air GMPP 502/502 HP V8 TKO600 5 Speed Manual PS A/C Discs

SUMMARY

Do a quick Google image search for "Bel Air" or "tri-five" and you'll see two predominant patterns: a whole lot of pastels and a whole lot of whitewalls. While it's hard not to love a fab classic, a staunch dedication to historical accuracy can definitely stand between some enthusiasts and '50s-era metal. Heck, even if you are a stickler for factory specs, it's still nice to see something a bit different every now and then. That's why this cool resto-mod is such a refreshing change of pace. A lot of time, money and effort was invested into making this classic one bad bowtie, and the quality of that plight shows throughout. From its massaged chassis and 502 cubic inch big block to its rich paint and custom leather interior, the car features the best of everything without drifting in to dreaded 'too nice to drive' territory. If you're ready to experience a different kind of rod, which can be obtained for much less than the hobby's typical build cost, take a minute to check out this killer Chevy!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The essential part of building a jaw dropping classic is knowing EXACTLY when to hold back. And with an icon as detailed as Chevy's tri-five, even the subtlest touches go a long way. While the pros at Charlotte, North Carolina's Fred Hudson Paint & Collision started this sedan's body-off restoration by stripping its fuselage to bare metal, its solid profile needed little attention when it came to significant repairs. That meant the restorers could spend ample time perfecting the car's surfaces, and the result is all-original panels that are exceptionally flat, displaying nary a wave or ripple anywhere. As expected, that 2008 reboot ensured fit and finish that's significantly above '50s factory fodder. And glossy Glasurit pearl 2-stage, which began life as an unholy alliance of Dodge Viper Blue and Cadillac White Diamond, creates an affluent demeanor that most pastels simply can't touch.

Originally sold in Gastonia, North Carolina, this Bel Air has lived with its third and current owner for right at 50 years. The car is an excellent example of what happens when an enthusiast falls in love with a fun project and continuously builds on it. When it comes to appearance, that building manifested in classic tri-five aesthetics that adorn $20K worth of paint and bodywork. At the front of the car, a custom, one-piece bumper traces a polished grille, factory parking lamps and chrome-trimmed H4 headlights. At the top of that grille, a sculpted hood centers a bright crest, a polished jetbird and a polished V in front of a post greenhouse, which founds smoked glass behind polished frames and polished wipers. At the base of that glass, factory door handles and a small driver's mirror reflect flowing quarter scripts, polished rocker guards and ornate trim spears. And at the back of the car, bullet-style tail lamps illuminate a second crest, a second V, bright exhaust tips and a guarded bumper.

ENGINE

Back in 1967, before being united with its current owner, this Chevy, devoid of all drivetrain components, was sold as a cheap dealer special. Naturally, a hot 283 was sourced and the Bel Air was put on the road. That said, as young car guys, most of us are taught that more power is always better. So, the car's new steward purchased a massaged 327 that was much more suited to his casual pastime of street racing. That choice, while a lot of fun, contributed to him losing his license two times before being drafted for the Vietnam War. Today, twisting stout 9.6 to 1 compression into 502 horsepower and 544 lb./ft. of torque, this sedan's 502 cubic inch GM Performance Parts big block proves the owner's mindset of bigger is always better is alive and doing well! At the top of the $11K mill, a polished air cleaner slips wind in to a chrome Edelbrock carburetor, which opens thanks to a liquid-filled pressure gauge and braided stainless hoses. That 4-pot rides a chrome Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, which is bolted between lightweight aluminum heads. Those high-flow heads float slick Chevrolet valve covers between a polished breather, stamped steel rockers, 2.25-inch intake valves and 1.88-inch exhaust valves. Those rockers are engaged by a hydraulic roller cam, which is sequenced to a modern HEI distributor and loomed GM Performance Parts plug wires. A forged steel cranks spins forged steel rods and forged aluminum pistons, which push spent gases through coated, long-tube headers. At the front of those pipes, familiar V-belts twist billet pulleys in front of a polished alternator and polished AC compressor. Everything stays cool thanks to a polished aluminum radiator that's wedged between a polished support, a polished expansion tank, corrugated hoses and dual electric puller fans. And visually, the Viper Blue block reflects a color-keyed engine bay that's complete with a smoothed firewall and fully finished fenders.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Despite having 5K miles on its build this Bel Air took home Best Undercarriage at the 2016 Hendrick Motorsports Car Show. So, it should come as no surprise that one glance at our lift photos reveals a roster of clean, high quality componentry. Behind the awesome big block, a tough hydraulic clutch kicks a proven Tremec TKO600 5-speed, which spins 3.70 gears and a posi-traction differential around a Currie 9-inch axle. That body-matched pumpkin floats in a modified rear suspension, which mixes relocated springs with sturdy traction bars. Opposite that clip, a factory front-half cages a 605 steering box between tubular upper control arms. At the corners of the car's undercoated floors, two GM calipers and two Wilwood calipers squeeze a quartet of vented rotors with the help of a polished booster and polished master cylinder. Custom, coated exhaust pipes funnel spent gases through an H-shaped crossover and coated Flowmaster mufflers. All that premium hardware rolls on a sweet set of American Racing Torq Thrust IIs, which spin 225/55R17 Pirelli P6 Allroads in front of 285/40ZR18 Pirelli P Zero Neros. And fully sorted details like stainless fluid lines, a tough scattershield, a stainless fuel tank and an electric Holley fuel pump ensure years of carefree cruising.

INTERIOR

When you open this sedan's doors, prepare to swim in a sea of first class aesthetics. Centered in $14K of custom upholstery that was installed by Chuck Hanna of Mooresville, North Carolina, the car's modern leather buckets feature power operation for the driver and front passenger. In front of those seats, a body-matched dash hangs full Classic Instruments telemetry between modern audio, Vintage Air climate control and billet foot pedals. Overhead, a sculpted headliner backs a polished mirror with a small courtesy lamp. At the floor, plush carpet floats piped and color-keyed mats beneath big kick speakers. At the center of that rug, a custom console founds a traditional Hurst shifter in front of chrome buttons for both power windows and power door locks. In front of the driver, a polished and leather-wrapped steering wheel spins a blue bowtie around a painted, tilting column. At the sides of the passengers, flowing door panels hang sculpted armrests and billet handles beneath body-matched window frames. And behind the cockpit, a fully upholstered trunk features more tight leather and more soft carpet.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

A lot of hot rods claim to be the total package, but this '56 Chevy actually backs that talk up. The stout big block has surprisingly good manners and, paired with the car's row-it-yourself gearbox and stylish leather interior, serves as the basis for one of the coolest tri-fives we've ever seen. If you're in the market for big performance with timeless Motor City swagger, check out this incredible Bel Air!