Vehicle Description
Over the past few years, many of the world's finest tri-fives have
graced our RK Motors Charlotte showroom. According to sales,
'55-'57 pro-tourers are often considered our best offerings. And
it's easy to see why when something like this incredible Bel Air, a
car that backs smooth Chevrolet Performance power with a choice Fat
Man chassis and timeless two-tone upholstery, gets busy casting
bright glares in our sedate photo booth. Searching for a sizzling
custom that mixes proven mechanicals with neck-snapping appeal?
Congratulations, you've found your next classic!
THE MOTORAMIC CHEVROLET
Sealed in a superb combination of red and white two-stage, this
slick Bel Air is the beneficiary of a body-off, nut-and-bolt
restoration that's both clean and precise. That professional
rebuild, completed by the pros at Mooresville, North Carolina's
Chewnings Unlimited, massaged the car's enticing drop-top profile
into the most perfect surfacing possible. That surfacing is founded
on sinuous panels that are solid and well aligned. And today, this
Chevy rolls as a first-rate classic that mixes polished tradition
with rich customization!
Not surprisingly, this double-nickel's familiar fifties pigment
creates a fabulous foundation for a select array of choice
bolt-ons. At the front of the car, a fully optioned bumper bends
around a polished grille, clear parking lamps and chrome-trimmed
halogen headlights. An ornate Chevrolet crest leads a requisite
Jetbird hood ornament that's centered on smoked and
stainless-trimmed glass that's cleared by polished wipers. Tight
white vinyl shades tidy mirrors, which reflect guarded door handles
and traditional Bel Air Speed Spears. Speaking of Bel Air, correct
Bel Air ornamentation looks great between stylized rocker guards
and factory fuel door armor. And at the back of the car, a second
fully optioned bumper frames a second Chevrolet crest, brilliant
tail lamp emblems and traditional halogen taillights.
THE SMALL BLOCK CHEVROLET
Engineered by the experts at Chevrolet Performance, this classic's
350 cubic inch ZZ4 twists a stout 355 horsepower into 405 lb./ft.
of gravel-churning torque! At the top of the bright red mill, a
billet air cleaner funnels breeze into a coated and electronically
choked Quick Fuel 4-barrel, which is supplemented by stainless
lines, a Lokar linkage and a coated fuel pump. That pot pours
through a chromed Edelbrock Performer EPS intake, which is married
to lightweight aluminum heads. Those heads tilt chromed billet
valve covers between chromed billet breathers and billet-loomed
plug wires that are snapped to a reliable HEI distributor. Spent
gases are jettisoned through a slick set of Sanderson block hugger
headers, which dodge a fully polished starter. Cooling comes
courtesy of a polished aluminum radiator, which hangs quick
spinning puller fans and a polished expansion tank between
corrugated tubes and a polished core support. The cam keeps
spinning thanks to a chromed Billet Specialties V-Trac pulley
system, which spins an Edelbrock water pump between a polished
alternator, a polished AC compressor and polished power steering
components. The compliments keep flowing thanks to a highly
detailed, well-executed engine bay that stacks a smoothed firewall
behind smoothed inner fenders. And everything, from the car's
billet hood latch to its chromed brake components, is set up to be
as impressive as it is enjoyable!
FAT MAN FABRICATIONS
Park this Chevy on a lift and you'll find a super clean
undercarriage that's nice enough to show and tough enough to go.
The choice motor twists a predictable 700R4 4-speed, which spins a
proven Ford 9-inch that's finished with 3.55 gears. That
restoration-fresh pumpkin rides a tough 4-bar rear-clip, which,
along with a big sway bar and adjustable QA-1 coil-overs,
integrates nicely into a sturdy Fat Man Fabrications frame. At the
other end of that frame, a Mustang II-style front-half centers
power rack-and-pinion steering between tubular control arms, a
second thick sway bar and two more coil-overs. Quick stops are a
cinch thanks to power-assisted discs. Stainless exhaust pipes spent
gases through crisp Magnaflow mufflers. And at the corners,
polished Billet Specialties Vintecs spin 235/45ZR17 Nitto NT555
Extreme ZRs in front of 255/45ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs.
TRADITIONAL IS GOOD
The spectacular cockpits in second-generation Bel Airs need no
introduction, but here goes. Depress the button on this
convertible's mirrored door handle and you'll find a gorgeous red
and white interior that stays very true to the car's factory
scheme. Rebuilt front and rear bench seats are all-day comfortable,
featuring supple, French-stitched hides that fit well and feel
great. Beneath those seats, fresh Daytona Carpet floats matching
Bel Air floor mats next to clean kick panels and bright Fisher
sills. At the edges of that rug, retro door panels anchor small
armrests and stainless handles beneath color-keyed toppers. A
curvaceous dash hangs hardware for Vintage Air climate control
beneath clean telemetry and modern, direct-fit audio. And the
driver spins a red steering wheel around a full horn ring and a
polished, titling column.
The product of a detailed, ground-up build that would probably take
a second mortgage to duplicate, this Chevy rolls on the right side
of impressive. It's a highly desirable tri-five that's been
carefully fitted with all the right stuff to be one seriously cool
cruiser. If you're dreaming of the perfect blend of lavish '50s
style and modern, reliable performance, you've found the ultimate
classic!
HIGHLIGHTS
Striking Bel Air pro-tourer that's the product of a professional,
nut-and-bolt restoration
350 cubic inch Chevrolet Performance ZZ4 V8 with 355 horsepower
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
Ford 9-inch rear axle with 3.55 gears
Modern air conditioning
Power rack-and-pinion steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
Full Fat Man Fabrications chassis
Red and white vinyl interior with modern audio
White vinyl top
17 and 18-inch Billet Specialties Vintec wheels
Stainless exhaust with Sanderson headers and Magnaflow mufflers
Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point
inspection
We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world
