Vehicle Description
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 handsome 210, standing out is
guaranteed to be a nonissue. Benefitting from a comprehensive
restoration, this sedan's time-tested looks are backed by an
impressive list of hardware that includes 502 cubic inches of
Chevrolet big block, a tough Tremec 5-speed and an Art Morrison
chassis that rolls on sweet Budnik wheels. Virtually timeless and
universally loved, tri-fives are always crowd favorites. And with
twice the swagger of its restored-to-stock brethren, this custom
bowtie is one of the most enjoyable classics 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 silky silver and
pearl orange 2-stage. That glossy pigment 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 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 '55 model
essentially perfected the art. At the front, a 1-piece bumper
frames a polished grille, clear parking lamps and modern halogen
headlights. At the top of that grille, a domed hood centers a
color-keyed crest and polished jetbird opposite smoked glass that's
caged in polished frames and mirrored wipers. At the base of that
glass, classy fender scripts complement traditional door handles
and flashy speed spears. And at the back of the car, a second
1-piece bumper frames correct taillights, monochromatic corner
emblems and a second color-keyed crest.
ENGINE
Toss this 210's hood and you'll find 502 cubic inches of buff Chevy
big block that's perfectly aligned under trick tri-power induction!
At the top of the Chevy Orange mill, a body-matched Demon air
cleaner funnels air in to coated Demon carburetors that feed a
coated Triple Induction intake. At the edges of that intake,
aluminum Chevrolet heads prop polished bowtie breathers on pearl
orange, Chevrolet-branded valve covers. At the back of those
covers, an MSD Blaster SS coil jolts and MSD Pro-Billet
distributor, which fires loomed MSD Super Conductor plug wires.
Beneath those wires, coated, long-tube headers snake around a trick
dipstick. In front of that stick, a modern serpentine drive spins
polished pulleys in front of a polished alternator, a polished AC
compressor and a polished water pump. In front of those
ancillaries, a polished core support hangs a polished radiator
between a corrugated hose, a polished expansion tank and four
electric fans. And aesthetically, this Chevy's massaged, pearl
orange engine bay is attractive and well-thought, from its polished
master cylinder and coated hood supports all the way to its braided
fluid lines and fabricated oil pan.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Slide under this classy cruiser and you'll find a sturdy Art
Morrison chassis that's clean, calculated and ready to hit the
road. That Gloss Black frame creates a nice contrast to solid,
Satin Black floors. Behind the big engine, a proven Tremec 5-speed
centers a color-keyed scattershield in front of an aftermarket
third member. That power team pushes a modern 4-bar rear-half
that's finished with a beefy sway bar, polished control arms and
Strange coil-over-shocks. Opposite that 4-bar, an independent
front-clip sandwiches two more Strange coil-overs between more
polished control arms. Turns come courtesy of power rack-and-pinion
steering. Stops are provided by polished calipers and a quartet of
drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust gasses float through
large-diameter pipes, which thread polished Borla ProXS mufflers on
the way to polished stainless tips. Power meets the pavement
through stylish Budnik wheels, which spin 245/45ZR18 Nitto NT555
Extreme ZRs in front of 275/40R20 Nitto NT555R Extreme Drags. And
details like a quick mini starter, a custom fuel tank, Goodridge
brake lines and Aeromotive fuel components fill out a roster of top
notch equipment.
INTERIOR Pop the doors and you'll find a custom leather cockpit
that's every bit as stylish as the car's polished fuselage. Front
and center, a quartet of plush buckets provides placement for
bottoms. In front of those mitts, a customized dash hangs crisp
Auto Meter telemetry next to Vintage Air climate control. At the
bottom of that dash, a custom, full-length console founds a booted
Hurst shifter between a JVC CD player and buttons for the car's
four power windows. At the bottom of that island, quality carpet
floats color-keyed mats between custom side panels and billet foot
pedals. And in front of the driver, a polished steering wheel spins
a half-wrapped rim around a polished, tilting column.
The Bel Air started out as America's first low-priced hardtop, and
today, tri-five Chevies are some of the most in-demand collector
cars of all time. If you've been searching for a top-notch custom
that's as much fun to drive as it is to show, this cool 210's
attractive combination of great performance and classic style
simply can't be beat!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a detailed, body-off restoration
502 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 / Demon tri-power induction
Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
Vintage Air conditioning
Art Morrison chassis / 18 and 20-inch Budnik wheels
Custom leather interior / Modern audio
Power rack-and-pinion steering
4-wheel disc brakes
Silver and pearl orange paint
Aftermarket rear axle
