Vehicle Description
This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Restomod hardtop was built just the way
you'd want it, but with a supercharged cherry on top. Featuring
fantastic colors inside-and-out, fully sorted and deviously
upgraded mechanicals, and lots of amenities including a 350 ZZ3
Supercharged V8, a smooth-shifting 700R4 4-speed gearbox, a bespoke
leather-trimmed interior, and just enough attitude to let folks
know the '50s are back in a BIG way. Yes, this is the high-end
Tri-5 you've been waiting for.
Dark Blue paint and Bel Air trim on a hardtop Tri-5 will look great
forever, and the timeless color combination neatly straddles the
original 1950s look with a few modern touches to make it extremely
relevant today. Obviously showing off some very attractive bodywork
underneath (which is an absolute must if you're going to paint your
classic a dark color), the gaps are precise, the body panels
line-up great, and the doors shut flush without a Herculean effort.
The deep, slick Dark Blue Metallic finish has a wonderful shine
that really pops underneath our lights, and even though it's a
slightly older paint job it was completed to such a high standard
that it still looks fresh today. Sure, it's not a trailer-queen
meant to be hermetically sealed and only escorted to car shows -
the drivetrain itself let's everyone know this Tri-5 was always
destined to be a cruiser - but the finish is still very high-end
with only minor flaws to report. It looks like the driver's door
was repainted and isn't a 100% match, although it takes a
discerning eye to spot that inequity, and with only 1509 miles on
the build the curb appeal is still through the roof. We're probably
being a bit harsher than we should be because bottom-line, this
Chevy is a bonafide STUNNER in person. Few cars wear dark paint
better than the '57 Chevy, and the builders of this '57 stunner
didn't waste time with a contrasting white roof, because this Tri-5
was designed to be nasty and nothing works better than a slick,
sinister shade when you want to intimidate and impress. Replacement
Bel Air trim is all there as it should be, including the sharp
profile spear that runs from end-to-end, traditional Bel Air panels
on the quarters, and a few gold-anodized pieces (including the
front grille insert) that retain the original designers' vision
while offering a bit more contrast to the overall look. The bumpers
were triple plated with copper and are the perfect shiny end caps,
the rocker panel trim still looks new, and the remaining brightwork
was polished up to an unbelievable shine that really helps this
Tri-5 stand out from the crowd.
The pros at Elegance Interiors stuffed a gorgeous, sporty, modern
leather interior in this hardtop, creating a fantastic place in
which to spend some time. Glyde buckets up front and the matching
rear seats were covered in fine-quality German hides,
french-stitched in two-tone blue-and-cream colors that perfectly
complement the exterior. A custom center console was hand-made and
extends to the rear seats, durable modern carpets line the
insulated floors, elegant door panels were upholstered to match the
seats, and the suede headliner above was hand-molded and even
retains its factory dome light - albeit with an LED unit inside.
Everything was new at the time of the restoration and remains in
excellent condition, including the beautifully painted dark blue
dash that was accented with billet chrome accents and a host of
Classic Instruments gauges. The leather rim on the Budnik steering
wheel was stitched to match the cabin's two-tone theme, and it
comes mounted atop a polished Ididit tilt steering column that
matches all the bling from the door and center console hardware. An
anti-theft system and power windows were installed, while a Pioneer
multi-media head unit mounted inside the center console manages a
kickin' stereo with speakers and subwoofers stashed throughout.
Even the trunk was beautifully finished to match the cabin,
complete with hidden panels and matching carpets.
A thundering GM Performance 350 ZZ3 Supercharged V8 crate engine is
a huge hit in this '57 Bel Air, and it slides right into the
beautifully finished and cavernous engine bay. Nicely detailed with
numerous polished and chromed components, shiny valve covers, a
K&N air cleaner, and matching Dark Blue pain on the firewall
and inner fenders, the engine bay is dying to be shown off. Topped
with a B&M 144ci Forced Induction supercharger, a Roots blower,
aluminum heads, and a Holley 800CFM 4-barrel carburetor calibrated
to play ball with the supercharger, it's a stone-cold, incredibly
powerful piece of machinery that transforms this Bel Air from
grocery-getter to neck-snapper. A full MSD system fires it all up
with ease, a giant aluminum radiator keeps the temps under
185-degrees at all times, and custom-built headers were expertly
routed into an H-pipe dual exhaust system with throaty SpinTech
mufflers that sound downright erotic. Remac Transmissions in Cali
built up the 700R4 with a performance convertor and shift kit to
handle all that power, and it spins Currie 9" rear end filled with
3.55 posi-traction gears. Despite all that power, this Tri-5 is
quite manageable thanks to Wilwood power 4-wheel discs, power
steering, and a performance suspension augmented with CPP tubular
controls arms, a CPP front swaybar, Williams Classic-Craft traction
bars out back, and Bilstein shocks all around. The frame and
chassis is nicely detailed with uber-clean floors and painted
components throughout, so you don't have to worry about hitting the
road in this awesome Bel Air. Flashy American Racing Torque Thrusts
wear staggered 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear BFGoodrich
performance radials that give it a modern stance and finish the
look perfectly.
Huge power, huge style, and huge comfort. Dialed-in Tri-5 examples
like this never last long, call today!