Magazine Featured Body Off Restored Bel Air 409 V8 Borg Warner T10 4 Speed

SUMMARY

* Body-off restoration completed in 2008
* Winner of multiple national awards / Featured in multiple publications
* 409 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
* Borg Warner T10 4-speed manual transmission
* Factory air conditioning
* All-original sheetmetal / Roman Red paint
* Posi-traction differential / 4.11 gears
* Power steering
* Power drum brakes
* 14-inch wheels

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A vast majority of the metal that comes through our RK Motors Charlotte showroom is either flawless, concours-level show fare or incredibly original, low-mileage garage fodder. But, as awesome as those rare and exclusive cars are, the foundation of this hobby has always been old school stalwarts that we can drive, build on, show off and enjoy. Think about it, when you were a kid, did you dream of towing a pristine factory-original car to a field where it would sit and look pretty? No way! You wanted a classy head turner that was striking, cool and expressed your individual tastes. Carefully restored, and powered by 409 cubic inches of hot Chevrolet big block, this impressive Bel Air is the kind of fully sorted cruiser that you just can't wait to fire up and road trip through the country!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Logging mere weekend miles since its detailed, body-off restoration, this sweet Chevy displays clean metalwork that simply glistens under our bright showroom lighting. When the car's current owner purchased it, way back in 1977, it had suffered a blown engine at the hands of an overzealous drag racer. With the installation of a new small block the car was ready to roll, and the owner's wife commenced driving it back and forth to work. After a decade and roughly 125K miles, the wife moved on to newer transportation, and the Bel Air was stashed in storage while parts were located for a ground-up restoration. In 2006, the car was rolled out of storage and stripped bare using a DA sander, aircraft chemical and Blast Tight bead media. That rigorous regimen was followed by two coats of U-Tech self-etching primer, sealer and quality DuPont urethane 2-stage. And in 2008, this Chevy launched onto the scene as a Roman Red rocket that would eventually win National, Grand National and Senior honors from the Antique Automobile Club of America!

Chevrolet's fifth generation Bel Air is a stylish piece that, with its absence of excessive chrome, suggests GM had officially left the tailfin-induced bender America enjoyed throughout the '50s. At the front of this sleek showboat, a fully refinished grille hangs bright T3 headlights and clear parking lamps between an ornate Chevrolet crest, a blocky “CHEVROLET” script and a 3-piece bumper. At the top of that grille, a sculpted hood leads the eye to factory-tint glass that's cleared by mirrored wipers and sealed in polished frames. At the sides of that glass, tasteful profile spears float amid small mirrors, flowing quarter scripts, colorful fender badges and traditional door handles. And, opposite those handles, a stainless-trimmed valence hangs a bold “CHEVROLET” script and four familiar taillights between a second Chevrolet crest and second 3-piece bumper.

ENGINE

During the early days of America's horsepower wars, Chevy's stalwart 409 was the go-to choice for most racers. There was simply nothing else on the road that could touch its street-ruling demeanor. With that in mind, it seems only natural that the exclusive engine would be choice power for a Bel Air that, with the help of its Impala and Biscayne brethren, gave birth to the big block Chevy phenomenon. Built by Pete Taylor of Junior Johnson and Holman Moody fame, this hardtop's 1964 mill kicks off with a factory air cleaner and big Carter carburetors. Those proven 4-barrels top a lightweight aluminum intake, which rides between bright silver valve covers and correct 690 heads that are finished with TRW valvetrain components. Beneath those heads, a .030 overbored block seats a Crane solid lifter cam between ROSS 10 to 1 pistons that are lined with tough Sealed Power rings. Those heads send spent gases in to restored exhaust manifolds, which ride beneath Packard Radio TVRS plug wires that are sequenced to a traditional points distributor. Those electronics get charged by fresh V-belts, which spin factory-style power steering between a Delco-Remy alternator and Frigidaire AC compressor. Cooling comes courtesy of a tagged radiator, which rides next to a Delco-capped battery. And every aspect of the car's Satin Black engine compartment, from its pliable GM hoses and fresh stainless fluid lines to its correct brake booster and old school AC fuel bowl, is nicely detailed and ready for show.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

One look under this sturdy cruiser reveals a solid X-frame that, during the car's detailed restoration, was fully sandblasted, covered in multiple coats of DuPont epoxy primer and dressed in correct GM Chassis Black paint. Power flows through a tough Borg Warner T10 4-speed, which spins a factory-spec axle that's equipped with a posi-traction differential and spry, 4.11 gears. Holding that virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a traditional double A-arm front and 4-link rear suspension that's augmented with a full array of correct inspection marks. That suspension's handling is greatly enhanced by a power-assisted 605 steering box. Stops are provided by a quartet of power-assisted drums. Stainless, original-style exhaust pipes are sequenced to polished stainless mufflers. And at the corners of the car, Roman Red steelies spin 8.00-14 BF Goodrich Silvertowns around polished dog dish hubcaps.

INTERIOR

Covered in a monochromatic sheen, this Chevy's vivid interior is a fully restored cocoon of style. Seating is provided by a classy combination of cloth and vinyl, which is stretched across a couple of broad benches. At the base of those thrones, heavy-duty floor mats protect like-new carpet, which rides between a factory shifter, an upgraded Hurst shifter mechanism and CoolCar ceramic insulation. Opposite that console, stainless-trimmed side panels hang small armrests in front of full power windows. At the front of those panels, a stylish dash founds factory telemetry and factory air conditioning between a Sun tachometer and a Delco All Transistor Radio. In front of the driver, a chrome-trimmed steering wheel laps a tilting column. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk hides a correct jack next to a full-size spare tire.

AWARDS/FEATURES

* AACA Senior honors
* -- 2008
* AACA National honors
* -- 2008
* Featured in Hemmings Motor News
* -- 2008
* AACA Grand National honors
* -- 2009
* Featured in Muscle Car Power
* -- 2010
* Featured on the cover of the Hubbard's Impala Parts catalog
* -- 2010

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* A vintage Owner's Guide
* Restoration photos
* A copy of the car's Hemmings Motor News feature
* A copy of the car's Muscle Car Power feature
* A copy of the car's Hubbard's Impala Parts cover feature

Fully sorted and ready to roll, this awesome Bel Air is a wonderful classic to drive, enjoy and haul two or three of your coolest friends in. It's really no surprise that full-size Chevys are amazingly popular with almost everyone who sees them, because they have such a great combination of style, presence and performance. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone, score the keys to this slick bubbletop and get ready for years of memorable cruising!