For Sale: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air in Lutz, Florida

On the outside is the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible you love. The interior is a great classic style with subtle upgrades, like A/C. And beneath the skin is a screaming LS2 V8 with an upgraded transmission, suspension, and brakes. And the total package makes it one of the most awesome restomods you'll ever see.

It's hard to find a better symbol of the open road than a '57 Bel Air drop-top. But this one lets you know the difference between turning heads and being absolutely memorable. It starts with a slick application of black paint. It has that kind of extra gloss and shine that you really want on a sunshine-friendly convertible. And so the light just loves to roll off those All-American curves. You have all the desirable pieces, including the mirror-like shine of the hallmark chrome front end, dual jet-inspired hood ornaments, and the special tailfin trim that only belongs on a real-deal '57 Bel Air like this. Plus, this gets the details correct, right down to the gold anodized pieces that correctly point to potent V8 under the hood. In fact, you also have the classic Fuel Injection badges that only the best Bel Airs got in '57. But you also want to let the world know that this one is a speedier machine than stock. So those polished 17-inch Boyd Coddington wheels fit in with the overall superior shine while also giving the car a modern and sporty stance.

The black convertible top has a crisp and clean look against the black exterior, and it only gets better with the flip of a switch. The roof powers down to reveal a two-tone interior. You still have black to coordinate with the exterior, but now there are also classic light-gray/ off-white inserts. It all has a fresh look that's done in supple leather. So the overall feeling is the style and sophistication of a tuxedo. The dash, steering wheel, door panels, and details look stock, but as you dig deeper, you can really start to understand the well-integrated upgrades that make this a real driver's car. There are features you don't find on many other Bel Airs, like power windows. Plus, cold-blowing air conditioning makes this convertible a comfortable all-day cruiser. And the driver's seat is a true command position with upgrades like the tilt steering column and Classic Instruments full upgraded gauge package.

The upgrades are a whole lot less subtle when you open the hood. After all, the Tri-Five Chevys were known for providing legendary V8 power, but this heart is far younger. It's a 6.0-liter LS2 motor. That means the fuel injection callouts on the fender were not lying, and in fact, it's something much wilder than what most people will be expecting. The installation took the extra time to make sure this modern motor looks right at home in the engine bay. And it has all the right pieces added. This includes the aluminum radiator with dual electric fans to help keep this running cool even in traffic, and the dual exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers that gives this restomod a high-octane tune. The motor is mated to a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission that's great for performance kick-downs or all-day overdrive highway cruising. As you look underneath, you'll spot suspension upgrades, like the Fatman front end with tubular front A-arms and a four-link rear with adjustable coilovers and a diagonal link. Add in power steering, four-wheel power disc brakes, and modern Michelin tires, and this is a great car that can be driven all day before teaching lesser coupes a few lessons at night.

Complete with restoration photos, this is a custom build of an American icon that's clean all the way through. It'll be the hit of every cruise-in that's also reliable enough to take on the Power Tour. It's the kind of Bel Air convertible that you've always wanted, and if you're quick enough, your reward is ready. Call now!