Vehicle Description
As many hobbyists have discovered, one of the best ways to get the
cool old car of your dreams is to buy someone else's finished
project. This 1952 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop, for example, was
completed just a few years ago (12,184 miles ago, to be exact) and
includes upgrades like a Goodwrench 350 V8 Crate engine, A/C, a
killer bright red paint job, and an updated interior without losing
any of its vintage charm. So, why waste months or years building
yours when this turn-key hardtop is available for a reasonable
price? Get out there and start having fun!
You're in luck with this Chevy, because the work was well done,
which means very clean sheetmetal that has a classic early '50s
look that still hadn't joined the jet age. For the most part, they
left the original look alone, so you still have those gorgeous
factory lines running end-to-end, swooping fenders and roofline,
and even fender skirts covering the rear wheels. But the builders
didn't stop there, instead choosing to add a few Old School hot rod
tricks to add to the car's appeal - including a simplified front
grille with deleted 'tooth' inserts, a louvered hood, shaved door
handles, dual spotlights attached to either side of the windshield,
and that traditional faux side exhaust that runs in between the
tires. Awesome additions that any hot-rodder will appreciate, but
nothing so overbearing that it distracts from the original Bel Air
design. The finish still looks very fresh throughout, with a
top-driver quality luster and shine that really looks great on the
shoebox-style livery, and any minor imperfections that might be
found (and seriously, not many can be) are quickly forgotten by the
sheer radiance of this bright Red paint. Attention-grabbing colors
work well on any car from the early '50s, and this one has a killer
look that will impress collectors/fans from just about any age
group, which was probably the builder's intention all along. Adding
to the good news is all the shiny chrome and brightwork that
remains in excellent shape, from the horizontal grille and matching
bumper up front, to the bright housings around the blue-dot
taillights and the exhaust tip jutting out from under the bumper
out back.
The red-and-white vinyl interior really turns up the 'wow' factor
started by the bodywork, and there's not a candy striper,
barbershop patron, or fan of Captain Kangaroo alive that won't
absolutely love it. Okay, so it's maybe a bit heavy on the candy
cane and Dr. Suess themes at first glance, but once you actually
sit inside this car and see the quality of the upholstery, feel the
comfort of the bench seats, and appreciate how it simply 'works'
with a hotrod of this vintage, then you'll love it too. Matching
two-tone door panels continue the theme, the period-correct red
carpet on the floor is outlined in white piping and looks barely
used, and the taut red headliner above was finished to factory
standards and proves that nothing was overlooked in the
transformation of this cabin. The steel dash was painted red to
match the exterior, and thankfully they left the awesome original
shape of it alone (including the spectacular chrome speaker cover
in the center), although adding a full set of Dakota Digital gauges
in the factory round pods was an excellent choice. An aftermarket
A/C panel was discreetly added below the dash, as was the Pioneer
AM/FM/Cd/AUX head unit that manages the upgraded stereo inside.
Other options include power windows, remote door poppers, and a
leather-rimmed Grant steering wheel mounted atop a tilt column
where it's joined by a billet shifter that manages the TH350
3-speed automatic transmission below. The back seat is big and
comfortable, making this a cruiser for the whole family and they've
cleverly carpeted the original trunk that still houses a bias-ply
spare tire and jack set.
Plenty of power is on tap under the louvered hood, courtesy of a
350 cubic inch V8 crate motor from Goodwrench, and that's
horsepower that'll never go out of style. The engine bay has been
beautifully finished with lots of bright red and chrome, from the
flashy Chevrolet valve covers and matching air cleaner, to the
polished Holley 4-barrel carburetor atop a brightly polished
Edelbrock aluminum intake, and the body-colored inner fenders and
firewall. It was clearly built for reliability, with modern
accessories including a chromed alternator, modern A/C compressor,
steel braided hoses, and a giant aluminum radiator up front that
keeps the whole show nice and cool. Upgraded power steering and
power front disc brakes come with the package, an HEI ignition
fires it all up, and long-tube header feed into a dual exhaust
system below that sounds great. The undercarriage is very solid and
tidy (although not overly detailed), anchored by a TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear end, while the upgraded
front suspension greatly transforms how this Bel Air operates on
the road. Painted steel wheels with correct hubcaps complete the
look and are wrapped in modern Coker wide whitewall radials all
around.
A fun, reliable cruiser that has a ton of eyeball appeal. It's also
fully sorted, looking great, and ready to go. Why wait? Call
today!
