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Like fashion, the collector car market is cyclical. And, like fashion staples, there are some cars that never go out of style. For instance, you just cant go wrong with a comfortable pair of jeans. And likewise, youll always be admired when you pull up in a slick tri-five Chevy. Back in 1955, at a division that was struggling to make its car relevant to American youth, no one would have guessed that, 58 years later, wed be looking at a clean Turquoise Bel Air thinking its one of the coolest classics weve ever seen. But alas, great design endures. And when great design is mixed with modern technology, its a sure-fire bet for success! Featuring an impressive roster of components, a supple leather interior and an awesome 350 cubic inch ZZ4 V8, this do-anything cruiser was built to provide a lifetime of memories. If youve been searching for a striking Chevy showpiece, but want something thats a heck of a lot more fun than a stuffy restored-to-original car, this spectacular Bel Airs combination of vintage style and modern performance simply cant be beat!
The subject of a multi-year frame-off reboot that was executed by Keiths Classic Restoration in Mocksville, North Carolina, this stunning tri-five sedan was definitely built for keeps. From the first glance to the last, the car exudes a sense of quality that only comes from countless hours of work and a few serious credit card bills. With laser-straight panels and impressive fit and finish, the cars body makes good use of a new hood, a new decklid, new lower doors and new lower quarters. There are no notable modifications but, with the absence of its traditional Bel Air trim, that body carries a custom look nonetheless. Covered in layers of slick Turquoise paint, theres timeless style atop a timeless design. And overall, this Chevy presents extremely well, displaying a depth and luster that would give most modern luxury cars an inferiority complex.
In a victorious attempt to appeal to a younger audience Chevrolet gave the 55 Bel Air Ferrari-inspired detailing which has become some of the most beloved car art of the past 60 years. At the front of this sedan, a trademark body-width Bel Air bumper rides below a pristine stainless grille, clear parking lamps and modern halogen headlights that are lined in traditional chrome trim. At the top of that grille, a factory-fresh Chevrolet crest is centered below a new jetbird hood ornament which looks fantastic against the cars mile deep paint. At the back of that hood, tinted glass rides inside new stainless trim, bright stainless wipers and stylish chrome mirrors. At the base of those mirrors, razor-straight fenders are accented by nothing more than simple chrome door handles. And behind those fenders, crystal clear tail lights frame a second pristine Chevrolet crest and a second body-width bumper.
Take a look between this Bel Airs smooth, Turquoise fenders and youll find a hot GM Performance Parts ZZ4 crate engine which utilizes a forged 1053 crank, powdered connecting rods, a hydraulic roller cam, hypereutectic flat tops and stout 10 to 1 compression to create over 355 horsepower and 405 lb./ft. of torque! At the top of that quick-spinning engine, two Edelbrock Endurashine carburetors, which sip fuel through braided JEGS hoses and a high quality Earls canister, split the difference between a chrome Edelbrock intake and a chrome Edelbrock air cleaner thats clamped around a thick, re-usable filter. At the sides of that intake, aluminum L98 Corvette heads prop Turquoise center-bolt valve covers above a slick pair of ceramic coated headers. At the front of those heads, a polished Zoops serpentine system spins a chrome alternator and a polished AC compressor above a modern power steering pump. The big engines fires are lit by a color-keyed MSD distributor which shoots sparks into Accel Hi-Temp Super Stock Spiral Core plug wires. And its cooling comes courtesy of a polished aluminum radiator thats bolted between chrome corrugated hoses, a polished overflow tank, a polished power steering reservoir, a polished AC condenser and a polished support thats complete with two electric puller fans. Aesthetically, the cars big engine bay is super clean all the way from its smoothed firewall to its stainless hood hardware. And theres a whole roster of awesome ancillary components, like high quality braided hoses, bright stainless lines, a chrome fuel pump and a new chrome brake booster, that keep the Turquoise mill looking good and running strong.
The theme of super clean continues at the bottom of this solid 55 Chevy where the cars straight frame and new floorpans have been sprayed in more of that gorgeous Turquoise paint. Behind the stout small block, a rock-solid Tremec TKO600 5-speed, which has been fitted with both a Keisler kit and a hydraulic clutch, sends power to a tough Ford nine inch posi-traction rear end thats equipped with wiry 3.70 gears. Holding that solid drivetrain off the ground is a completely rebuilt double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension which benefits from tubular control arms and fresh shocks. Tight turns and easy apexes come courtesy of modern power rack and pinion steering. Quick stops and excellent pedal feel are supplied by a GM-style power four wheel disc brake system thats complete with body-matched calipers and big drilled and slotted rotors. And a first-rate soundtrack is provided by a stainless true dual exhaust system which swirls spent gases through aggressive Borla mufflers. All this head turning style rides on 235/45 front and 255/45 rear Nanking Sport NS-1 radials that are wrapped around a sweet set of 17 inch polished Coys wheels. And everything from this Bel Airs silver coil springs to its polished fuel tank straps is fully sorted and ready to parade down the boulevard.
Stitched up and bolted together by Roberts Upholstery in historic Salisbury, North Carolina, this sedans tan leather interior presents the kind of quality craftsmanship youd expect in a modern luxury car. Two manual buckets and a traditional bench are covered in soft leather hides which display no significant wear and feature exceptionally comfortable surfaces. Below those seats, like-new carpet props color-keyed floor mats next to a small custom console and a tall Hurst shifter. At the sides of that carpet, custom leather door panels look great between painted frames and traditional chrome hardware. At the front of those panels, a curvaceous dash hangs bowtie-stamped stainless, Classic Instruments gauges and an MP3-compatible stereo above large Pioneer kick speakers. Above that dash, a custom headliner anchors a traditional round dome light between chrome shirt hooks and a stylish rearview mirror. Connecting the driver to the road is a billet banjo steering wheel which spins a color-keyed rim around a painted tilt steering column. And stowing the passengers many accessories is a custom upholstered trunk which hangs a Chevrolet themed back panel above a flat load floor.
The sale of this sweet Chevy cruiser includes a stack of build receipts.
The Chevy Bel Air is an American icon, and this sedan puts a highly unique spin on a familiar face. The cars workmanship is outstanding, and I cant imagine what it would cost to execute this build from the ground up. If youre looking for a fully-sorted cruiser thats comfortable, fulfilling and aesthetically exhilarating, this 55 Bel Air is your ticket! 
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
133392
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