Body Off Built Bel Air EFI LS1 V8 4 Speed Automatic PS A/C Disc Brakes Leather

SUMMARY

Go to just about any car show and you're likely to find at least a few Bel Airs. One of Detroit's most adored creations, late '50s Chevys continue to be restoration magnets for builders and collectors alike. The only problem is: once you've joined the ranks of tri-five ownership, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out. Well, with a classic like this striking hardtop, standing out is guaranteed to be a nonissue. The beneficiary of comprehensive restoration, this Chevrolet's time-tested looks are backed by an impressive list of hardware that includes a modern GM small block, a smooth automatic transmission and a thoroughly updated chassis that rolls on tough Billet Specialties wheels. Virtually timeless and universally loved, Bel Airs are always crowd favorites. And with twice the swagger of its restored-to-stock brethren, this custom bowtie is one of the most enjoyable tri-fives on the planet!

BODYWORK/TRIM

A solid foundation for building a lights-out resto-mod, this slick Chevy's smooth, all-American body is covered in a silky coat of vivid red 2-stage. That glossy pigment, bearing striking similarity to the brand's recent Torch Red offerings, creates a classic hot rod profile that's been buffed, sanded and polished to near perfection. Panel gaps appear to be at better-than-factory tolerances, creating straight surfaces that are likely much cleaner than when they originally rolled out of the showroom. And today, this reborn classic rolls as a stylish testament to storied Detroit excellence!

As a collector car enthusiast, you really can't go wrong with any '50s Chevy. But for many folks, the division's '57 model essentially perfected the art. At the front of this five-seven, a custom billet grille hangs a polished bowtie between chrome-trimmed halo headlights and a fully polished bumper. At the top of that grille, a nosed hood centers polished 'spear bullets and spoons' in front of tinted glass that's draped in polished frames. At the base of those frames, polished wipers and trick mirrors complement traditional door handles and flashy 'speed spears'. And at the back of the car, a guarded and fully polished bumper frames LED taillights and a custom Center High Mount Stop Lamp.

ENGINE

Take a look under the hood and you'll find 5.7 liters of stout LS1 small block that's good for over 300 horsepower! Straight from GM, that proven mill combines a sturdy aluminum block with lightweight aluminum heads, coil-near-plug ignition and aluminum flat top pistons to create razor-sharp throttle response and a torque band that's as wide as Texas. At the front of the engine, a polished air tube shuttles wind from a reusable filter element to a factory throttle body. Behind that valve, a composite intake caps completely stock internals. High-octane fossils are provided by electronic fuel injection. Sparks are sequenced through fresh Packard plug wires. Spent gases roar through coated long-tube headers. Cooling comes courtesy of a polished aluminum radiator, which seats two electric puller fans between a polished support, a polished cap and a polished expansion tank. And GM serpentine components spin a coated alternator opposite a coated AC compressor. Aesthetically, both the Cast Silver mill and its assortment of bright accessories seem right at home inside a brilliant red frame that's founded on a smooth firewall. And details like trick dipsticks, a polished hood latch, polished hood supports, a polished oil cap and a slick carbon fiber engine cowl ensure this Chevy has a steady balance of looks and performance.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Slide under this classy cruiser and you'll find a thoroughly upgraded chassis that's clean, calculated and ready to hit the road. The car's Satin Black frame, upfitted with modern crossmembers, creates a nice contrast to solid, undercoated floors. Behind the big engine, a proven 4L60E 4-speed twists power to a hooped driveshaft, which spins what appears to be a factory rear axle. That power team pushes the car on a modern 4-bar rear-half that's fitted with adjustable air bags. Opposite that 4-bar, an independent front-clip sandwiches two more adjustable air bags between tubular control arms. Turns come courtesy of power rack-and-pinion steering. Stops are provided by quality Wilwood calipers, which utilize a polished Wilwood master cylinder to squeeze vented rotors. Charred dinosaurs float through coated, Mandrel-bent pipes, which fill coated Flowmaster mufflers. And power meets the pavement through polished Billet Specialties Stilettos, which spin 245/40ZR18 Nitto Motivos in front of 315/35ZR20 Nitto Motivos.

INTERIOR

Pop the doors and you'll find a custom leather cockpit that's every bit as stylish as the car's polished red fuselage. Front and center, a quartet of plush buckets sport '57-themed buttons. In front of those mitts, a custom dash hangs Classic Instruments All American telemetry over controls for a modern climate system. At the edges of that dash, red-topped side panels anchor custom trim and polished hardware on a quartet of power-operated windows. At the bottom of those panels, sleek Daytona carpet floats color-keyed mats beneath aftermarket foot pedals. In the middle of that rug, a custom, full-length console founds a booted Lokar shifter between an MP3-compatible CD player and controls for the car's air bags. Opposite that console, a chrome mirror leads a leather headliner that's propped on polished trim. In front of the driver, a chromed steering wheel spins a carbon fiber-weave rim around a stamped bowtie, which laps a tilting column that's tinged with modern cruise control. And behind the passengers, a custom-upholstered trunk features almost enough room for one season's plunder of trophies.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

What started out as America's first low-priced hardtop has now become a legend. And today, the 1957 Chevy is one of the most in-demand collector cars of all time. If you've been searching for a top-notch tri-five custom that's as much fun to drive as it is to show, this cool sedan's attractive combination of great performance and classic style simply can't be beat!