1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Resto-mod, custom built on a Corvette frame.
Cars like this absolutely incredible 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe don’t come along very often. Professionally built and one of the more beautifully detailed cars ever featured, it is a road map for how to build an absolutely dialed-in Tri-5. Featuring 350 ZZ4 crate engine, all the creature comforts, and head-turning bodywork, it’s an updated version of an iconic car that stops traffic everywhere it goes. No doubt It’s a 55 Chevy Bel Air, but there’s definitely a look to this car that’s tough to quantify in a single glance. All the sheet metal is stock and unaltered (no chops are outrageous body augmentations on this beauty), albeit finished to a high standard that makes it stand out like a beacon among lesser cars. Perhaps it’s the paint, a combination of white and teal that gives the traditional two-tone a modern look that’s blindingly well-finished. The perfect stance seems to make it look longer and definitely lower than a stocker, but I assure you that the only bodywork this car received was the hundreds of hours spent getting it laser straight. All the original Bel Air trim was replaced with quality reproduction pieces and then correctly reinstalled, including all of the trim, door handles, badges, grille, and those custom 1-piece bumpers that add a super smooth look. In short, cars just can’t get much nicer than this unless you start knocking on the six-figure price-point. Step inside and you’ll see that the custom interior is this cars calling card, a beautifully crafted bespoke design that upgrades the OEM look with a Dakota digital dash. The bucket seats fore and bench seat aft should look familiar even with their upgraded upholstery, and they’re both incredibly comfortable and barely look like they’ve ever been used. Gorgeous new door panels were installed to match the seats and the headliner is beautifully stitched and braced with chrome trim to give it a modern look. Everything inside is handsomely finished to complement the bodywork, including the Teal dash that matches the exterior paint, and there’s not a single component that wasn’t massaged or addressed in some fashion during the comprehensive restoration. Options include power windows, a power driver’s seat and the Flaming River leather-wrapped steering wheel that rests atop a polished tilt column, an R134a A/C system cleverly installed in a custom panels underneath the dash, and a Retro-Sound AM/FM/AUX stereo installed in the factory slot from Custom Audio Sound, meaning that the dash remains clean and uncluttered. Dakota Digital gauges replace the factory units and provide much more accurate readings of the engines vitals, and they’ve been neatly fitted inside a factory bezel ahead of the driver to maintain the correct set-up of Chevrolets brilliant dash design. The mechanicals of the car were as carefully crafted as the slick interior and lifting the hood you’ll find a sparkling 350 cubic inch ZZ4 V8 that’s like industrial sculpture. Rated at a stout 355HP, 405 FT. Lbs. torque and topped with an FI Tech fuel injections system, the motor is very strong and moves all that metal with relative ease, while a thick aluminum radiator with an electric fan keeps the whole show nice and cool. Everything in the engine bay was neatly detailed, polished or chromed, the inner fenders and firewall were smoothed and painted in the matching Teal color, and all the plumbing and electrical wires were either purposely organized or completely hidden out of sight. The custom exhaust system tucks up tight to the chassis for great ground clearance and barks through a set of Flowmaster mufflers that sound great. A 700R-4 four speed automatic powers a corvette rear-end, and power disc brakes along with power steering make the driving experience incredibly pleasurable. The car is built on a Corvette frame utilizing corvette disk brakes. with gorgeously staggered Budnik wheels with 9X17 front and 10X17 rear Nexen radials round out this awesome Tri-5. The car also features Halogen headlights and LED tail lights with the third brake light as part of the Chevrolet emblem on the trunk. The asking price doesn’t even come close to covering the cost to build this car. This is a show-off worthy trophy machine that is fully sorted and ready to drive. They simply don’t get much better than this at this price point. Always garaged and covered. If you are looking for a show quality resto-mod, this is your car. Recent Best in Class and Best in Show winner of 179 cars in the show.
No trades please as I’m of an age that it is time to reduce my holdings. Thank you.
