Vehicle Description
One of the advantages of the Tri-Five Chevys like this drop-dead
gorgeous 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Restomod hardtop is that the engine
bay is big enough to handle pretty much anything you can imagine.
This beauty, for example, carries a hulking 427 LS7 V8 big block, a
4L70E 6-speed automatic transmission, and an upgraded Art Morrison
chassis and performance suspension - making it more of a modern
muscle car than just your usual good-looking Tri-5 cruiser.
Finished just under 7,000 miles ago and built to the 9's, this
upgraded hardtop is a bargain even at this price once you consider
the entire scope of the top-end build, meaning you better read
quickly or risk missing your shot at an absolute stunner.
But before we get into the big block and all the matching hardcore
hardware, let's talk about the gorgeous PPG Black paint job.
Finished a mere 6,914 miles ago, this top-of-the-line 2-door
hardtop was restored to be an attention-grabber first and foremost,
and the builders (the pros at Thunder Valley in White, GA built
this beauty) have succeeded brilliantly across the board. Starting
with a hardtop was the right choice of course, and by the looks of
the laser-straight metal underneath, this Bel Air has always been
an impeccably cared-for car. The colors aren't original to this
particular vehicle but certainly period-correct and use modern
urethane PPG paints that provide a shine unmatched by original
enamels, with a deep, lustrous shine that simply pops under our
studio lights. Despite the upgraded materials used on the paint
job, the finish still looks quite appropriate on the vintage
sheetmetal, and with hardly any imperfections to speak of, short of
a couple very minor ones that you almost have to strain to notice,
this top driver-quality presentation would likely be considered
'show' by most contemporary standards. Great gaps, sharp,
laser-straight panel alignment, and a miles deep luster - the curb
appeal is simply through the roof and it's difficult to argue with
the final result. There's considerable chrome and trim on any '50s
car, but none better than the shiny livery found on the Bel Air,
and it's all been professionally restored/refinished to match the
quality of the paint. The shiny stuff includes all that iconic Bel
Air profile trim, the stainless around the crystal-clear glass, and
the bold chrome bumpers fore and aft, all of which are matched by
the near-blinding bling from the front grille, hood ornament, and
correct badging found throughout the body.
Given the extensive upgrade to the entire car, the interior is also
remarkably well-integrated and restored using modern materials with
an aim toward maintaining the overall stock Tri-5 look albeit with
a contemporary flair. Fresh red leather upholstery on the
aftermarket front buckets and rear bench perfectly complements the
exterior and is in fantastic condition, as are the matching red
carpets below, the ornate door panels at the flanks, and a taut
headliner with chrome slats above that all work together to give
the cabin an upgraded yet factory look. On the other hand, the
polished Ididit tilt column, red leather-wrapped Classic Industries
steering wheel, and bespoke center console are all strictly modern
pieces that have been integrated seamlessly into the design of the
interior. There's also a modern shifter inside the console that
manages the 4L70E automatic below, Vintage Air A/C, cup holders,
and a Kenwood multi-media that handles the entertainment. A
complete set of Classic Industries gauges were swapped inside the
original cluster ahead of the driver, and they keep a close eye on
the upgraded block without the need for extra auxiliary units
carved into the dash. With so few miles on the build, it's as nice
as you'd expect inside, with nary a sign of use on all the
high-traffic areas, including the custom finished trunk.
Thanks to a smoothed and finished firewall, the LS7 427 V8 under
the hood fits just fine in the original '55 engine bay. Reportedly
a crate motor, the massive 7.0L engine powers this Bel Air with
great ease, aided by electronic fuel injection, a dry-sump oil
system, and a Corvette oil pan that all feed it. The list of
upgrades is extensive, including an Autorad aluminum radiator with
dual electric fans, chrome accessories with a serpentine belt
drive, and braided stainless hoses for the HVAC and fuel systems.
There's Chevy Red on the block itself, but it too has been
punctuated with custom valve covers, a matching engine cover, and a
big chrome cold-air intake system with a cone filter, and it all
pops out from the shiny black inner fenders and firewall. Looks
super-clean, doesn't it? Underneath the upgrades continue with
Strange Engineering coilovers all around, tubular control arms up
front, sway bars fore and aft, an Art Morrison Mustang II front end
with DSE power rack-and-pinion steering, a 4-link set-up out back,
and CPP power 4-wheel power disc brakes. Ceramic-coated long-tube
headers are like modern sculptures all by themselves, and they feed
into the killer-sounding, throaty MagnaFlow dual exhaust system
below. The undercarriage was finished to show off, with an Art
Morrison GT-55 square tube chassis and painted components
throughout, so if you're showing this beauty be sure to bring the
mirrors. The 4L70E 6-speed automatic transmission with a 2500 stall
convertor means that the rather stout 4.11 gears in the Moser
Truetrac rear end can do their thing without the engine getting too
busy on the highway. Staggered American Racing Torque Thrust wheels
complete the vintage hot rod look and wear off-set 245/40/18 front
and 295/45/18 rear Nitto radials.
Big power, a pro-touring suspension, a slick-shifting modern
transmission, and agile handling all sound like modern muscle car,
but the look still says "1955" all over again. Truly the best of
both worlds, this Bel Air is a no-compromises stunner. Call
today!
