Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a 5-year, ground-up restoration that was
completed in 2008
502 cubic inch GM Performance Parts V8 / 502 horsepower
Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission
Custom leather interior / Vintage Air conditioning / Modern
audio
All-original body / Glasurit pearl paint
17 and 18-inch American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels
Currie 9-inch rear axle / Posi-traction differential / 3.70
gears
Power steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
Upgraded suspension
Sale includes restoration photos
Do a quick Google image search for "Bel Air" or "tri-five" and
you'll see two predominant patterns: a whole lot of pastels and a
whole lot of whitewalls. While it's hard not to love a fab classic,
a staunch dedication to historical accuracy can definitely stand
between some enthusiasts and '50s-era metal. Heck, even if you are
a stickler for factory specs, it's still nice to see something a
bit different every now and then. That's why this cool resto-mod is
such a refreshing change of pace. A lot of time, money and effort
was invested into making this classic one bad bowtie, and the
quality of that plight shows throughout. From its massaged chassis
and 502 cubic inch big block to its rich paint and custom leather
interior, the car features the best of everything without drifting
in to dreaded 'too nice to drive' territory. If you're ready to
experience a different kind of rod, which can be obtained for much
less than the hobby's typical build cost, take a minute to check
out this killer Chevy!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The essential part of building a jaw dropping classic is knowing
EXACTLY when to hold back. And with an icon as detailed as Chevy's
tri-five, even the subtlest touches go a long way. While the pros
at Charlotte, North Carolina's Fred Hudson Paint & Collision
started this sedan's body-off restoration by stripping its fuselage
to bare metal, its solid profile needed little attention when it
came to significant repairs. That meant the restorers could spend
ample time perfecting the car's surfaces, and the result is
all-original panels that are exceptionally flat, displaying nary a
wave or ripple anywhere. As expected, that 2008 reboot ensured fit
and finish that's significantly above '50s factory fodder. And
glossy Glasurit pearl 2-stage, which began life as an unholy
alliance of Dodge Viper Blue and Cadillac White Diamond, creates an
affluent demeanor that most pastels simply can't touch.
Originally sold in Gastonia, North Carolina, this Bel Air has lived
with its third and current owner for right at 50 years. The car is
an excellent example of what happens when an enthusiast falls in
love with a fun project and continuously builds on it. When it
comes to appearance, that building manifested in classic tri-five
aesthetics that adorn $20K worth of paint and bodywork. At the
front of the car, a custom, one-piece bumper traces a polished
grille, factory parking lamps and chrome-trimmed H4 headlights. At
the top of that grille, a sculpted hood centers a bright crest, a
polished jetbird and a polished V in front of a post greenhouse,
which founds smoked glass behind polished frames and polished
wipers. At the base of that glass, factory door handles and a small
driver's mirror reflect flowing quarter scripts, polished rocker
guards and ornate trim spears. And at the back of the car,
bullet-style tail lamps illuminate a second crest, a second V,
bright exhaust tips and a guarded bumper.
ENGINE
Back in 1967, before being united with its current owner, this
Chevy, devoid of all drivetrain components, was sold as a cheap
dealer special. Naturally, a hot 283 was sourced and the Bel Air
was put on the road. That said, as young car guys, most of us are
taught that more power is always better. So, the car's new steward
purchased a massaged 327 that was much more suited to his casual
pastime of street racing. That choice, while a lot of fun,
contributed to him losing his license two times before being
drafted for the Vietnam War. Today, twisting stout 9.6 to 1
compression into 502 horsepower and 544 lb./ft. of torque, this
sedan's 502 cubic inch GM Performance Parts big block proves the
owner's mindset of bigger is always better is alive and doing well!
At the top of the $11K mill, a polished air cleaner slips wind in
to a chrome Edelbrock carburetor, which opens thanks to a
liquid-filled pressure gauge and braided stainless hoses. That
4-pot rides a chrome Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, which is
bolted between lightweight aluminum heads. Those high-flow heads
float slick Chevrolet valve covers between a polished breather,
stamped steel rockers, 2.25-inch intake valves and 1.88-inch
exhaust valves. Those rockers are engaged by a hydraulic roller
cam, which is sequenced to a modern HEI distributor and loomed GM
Performance Parts plug wires. A forged steel cranks spins forged
steel rods and forged aluminum pistons, which push spent gases
through coated, long-tube headers. At the front of those pipes,
familiar V-belts twist billet pulleys in front of a polished
alternator and polished AC compressor. Everything stays cool thanks
to a polished aluminum radiator that's wedged between a polished
support, a polished expansion tank, corrugated hoses and dual
electric puller fans. And visually, the Viper Blue block reflects a
color-keyed engine bay that's complete with a smoothed firewall and
fully finished fenders.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Despite having 5K miles on its build this Bel Air took home Best
Undercarriage at the 2016 Hendrick Motorsports Car Show. So, it
should come as no surprise that one glance at our lift photos
reveals a roster of clean, high quality componentry. Behind the
awesome big block, a tough hydraulic clutch kicks a proven Tremec
TKO600 5-speed, which spins 3.70 gears and a posi-traction
differential around a Currie 9-inch axle. That body-matched pumpkin
floats in a modified rear suspension, which mixes relocated springs
with sturdy traction bars. Opposite that clip, a factory front-half
cages a 605 steering box between tubular upper control arms. At the
corners of the car's undercoated floors, two GM calipers and two
Wilwood calipers squeeze a quartet of vented rotors with the help
of a polished booster and polished master cylinder. Custom, coated
exhaust pipes funnel spent gases through an H-shaped crossover and
coated Flowmaster mufflers. All that premium hardware rolls on a
sweet set of American Racing Torq Thrust IIs, which spin 225/55R17
Pirelli P6 Allroads in front of 285/40ZR18 Pirelli P Zero Neros.
And fully sorted details like stainless fluid lines, a tough
scattershield, a stainless fuel tank and an electric Holley fuel
pump ensure years of carefree cruising.
INTERIOR
When you open this sedan's doors, prepare to swim in a sea of first
class aesthetics. Centered in $14K of custom upholstery that was
installed by Chuck Hanna of Mooresville, North Carolina, the car's
modern leather buckets feature power operation for the driver and
front passenger. In front of those seats, a body-matched dash hangs
full Classic Instruments telemetry between modern audio, Vintage
Air climate control and billet foot pedals. Overhead, a sculpted
headliner backs a polished mirror with a small courtesy lamp. At
the floor, plush carpet floats piped and color-keyed mats beneath
big kick speakers. At the center of that rug, a custom console
founds a traditional Hurst shifter in front of chrome buttons for
both power windows and power door locks. In front of the driver, a
polished and leather-wrapped steering wheel spins a blue
bowti...for more information please contact the seller.