Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a ground-up restoration that was completed in
2008
350 cubic inch Chevrolet Performance ZZ4 crate engine / 355
horsepower
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission / Ford 9-inch rear axle
Custom leather interior / Modern audio
Vintage Air conditioning
Fat Man Fabrication chassis / Custom suspension
Power rack-and-pinion steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
18-inch Foose wheels
Sale includes restoration receipts
While best-known for their classic good looks and pure American
style, tri-five Chevys were the hot rod of choice for many young
gearheads. Dominating drag strips and terrorizing stoplights long
before the likes of tri-power GTOs and Hemi-powered MoPars, these
classics carry nearly universal appeal that makes them a perfect
platform for amazing resto-mod builds. A fitting example would be
this stunning Bel Air, which mixes a fire-breathing ZZ4 V8 with
substantial drivetrain upgrades and a comfortable custom interior
to create one irresistible, old school muscle car. If you've been
searching for a striking Chevy showpiece, but want something that's
a heck of a lot more fun than a stuffy restored-to-original car,
this spectacular sedan's combination of vintage style and modern
performance simply can't be beat!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The subject of a high quality restoration that was completed in
2008, this double nickel is definitely built for keeps. From casual
glances to long looks, the car exudes a sense of quality that comes
from countless hours of work and serious credit card bills. With
straight panels and impressive panel fitment, its body sets the
standard for what to expect from the rest of the build. There are
no notable modifications, aside from blazing PPG 2-stage that
would've been unimaginable in the mass-production world in 1955.
And overall, this slick resto-mod is right at home turning heads on
the road OR logging points at a show.
Not surprisingly, this Chevy's dynamic pigment creates a fabulous
foundation for a select array of mirrored bolt-ons. At the front of
the car, a polished bumper props a polished guard in front of a
polished grille, amber parking lamps and modern tri-bar headlights.
At the top of that grille, a Chevrolet-branded hood centers a
correct jetbird in front of smoked glass, polished wipers and
polished frames. At the base of that glass, a silky profile centers
stainless speed spears and classy Bel Air emblems between polished
mirrors, polished rocker guards, guarded door handles and a guarded
fuel filler. And at the back of that profile, a second polished
bumper splits the difference between a requisite trunk crest,
polished exhaust tips and factory taillights that shade small
Chevrolet emblems.
ENGINE
Lift the hood and you'll be carried in to a valley of brightwork
that's surrounded by PPG red foothills. Sourced directly from
Chevrolet Performance, this tri-five's spry personality comes
courtesy of a 350 cubic inch ZZ4 crate engine that twists stout 10
to 1 compression into 355 horsepower and 405 lb./ft. of torque. The
mean motor's energy mixture is supplied by a big Holley carburetor,
which is sandwiched between polished fuel lines, a small Holley
pressure gauge and a polished Chevrolet air cleaner that's cinched
under a stylish bowtie spinner. That mixture travels in to an
aluminum intake, which feeds aluminum L98 cylinder heads that hang
polished Chevrolet valve covers between stamped rocker arms,
polished Chevrolet breathers and hypereutectic pistons. That
valvetrain combusts thanks to a forged, internally-balanced crank,
powdered connecting rods and a billet cam. Fire for that combustion
comes courtesy of an MSD points distributor and loomed MSD Super
Conductor plug wires. That fire is kept in check by a polished
aluminum radiator, which is mated to a polished support, sleeved
hoses, a Chevrolet-branded cap and quick-spinning puller fans. A
Concept One serpentine drive spins a polished Powermaster
alternator opposite a coated AC compressor while spent gases cycle
through coated Hedman block huggers. And first-rate details include
trick dipsticks, braided fluid lines, chrome hood supports and a
chrome horn.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Put this Chevy on a lift and the high quality build continues to
reveal itself through body-matched floorpans and a Mandrel-bent Fat
Man Fabrication chassis. At the center of those bones, a reliable
GM 700R4 4-speed keeps the car highway friendly. That stalwart
gearbox channels power to a 9-inch Ford differential that's
finished with 28-spline axles. Stance is important on tri-fives,
and this car achieves an excellent rake thanks to a Mustang II
front suspension, a 4-bar rear suspension and a full set of
RideTech ShockWave airbags. When the roads get twisty, power
rack-and-pinion steering is a welcome addition. Stops are initiated
by a polished SSBC master cylinder, which utilizes a chrome booster
and small Jegs proportioning valve to sic big Wilwood calipers on
drilled and slotted rotors. The aforementioned hedders shuttle
spent gases through an H-shaped crossover and throaty Flowmaster
mufflers. Everything rolls on polished Foose blades, which spin
225/40ZR18 Toyo Proxes in front of 285/40ZR18 Toyo Proxes. And
everything, from this Bel Air's stainless fuel tank to its APS
starter, is clean and ready to roll.
INTERIOR Inside this Chevy, plush leather surfacing is the central
theme of a custom cockpit that features cool Bone shading.
Power-operated Lexus buckets join fixed rear buckets to a frame a
custom, full-length console. That console floats mirrored trim
around small cupholders, big speakers, a familiar Lokar shifter and
a hidden bin that seats an Alpine CD player next to controls for
the car's RideTech airbags. Stylish door panels hang angled
armrests beneath billet handles, power door locks and polished
controls for power windows. At the floor, fresh carpet frames crisp
kick speakers, billet foot pedals and color-keyed floor mats. At
the front of the cockpit, a body-matched dash stretches
bowtie-branded trim around a factory radio, Danchuk Signature
telemetry and Vintage Air climate control. The driver stays
connected through a polished and half-wrapped steering wheel, which
laps a polished, tilting column. And the passengers carry their
essentials in a custom-upholstered trunk.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
Restoration receipts
Component literature
There are a lot of nice tri-fives on the market, but how many are
built to this level and carry this kind of appeal? If you're
looking for an exceptionally cool Chevy that's twice as much fun
and twice as reliable as an all-original roller, this Bel Air is
your hot ticket!
