Chopped '56 Bel Air LS1 V8 Automatic Art Morrison Chassis Kugel IRS A/C

When it comes to custom cars, the word “unique” gets thrown around a lot…but few builds justify it the way this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air does. The Tri-Five era is no stranger to personalization, but it takes serious restraint and vision to craft something that feels modern without losing the soul of the original design. This car hits that rare mark. It began as a clean, previously restored and sorted driver with a small block V8 and period-correct interior...already a solid example before being selected as the foundation for something far more ambitious. The project found its way to Platinum Black in Huntington Beach, California, where it was fully reimagined and completed as a no-expense-spared, frame-off build. The multi-year effort wrapped in 2017, and the result speaks for itself: a Goodguys Builder's Choice Award at the 2017 Del Mar Nationals. Backed by an Art Morrison chassis, powered by a fuel-injected LS1, and finished with a full custom interior by Ron Magnus, this Bel Air highlights detail, balance, and execution.

Visually, the car makes its point with a 1.5-inch roof chop that subtly alters the Bel Air's iconic silhouette. The body was carefully massaged and smoothed before being finished in deep, glossy black, setting a serious tone that's carried across the entire build. Chrome has been pared back to essentials, with trim limited mostly to the classic side spears and sculpted front and rear bumpers that have been custom-fit and tucked for a cleaner profile. The grille is blacked out and interrupted only by a wide custom center divider, while dual outside mirrors, rear exhaust ports, and a set of one-off Foose wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires round out the car's aggressive exterior vibe. The shaved door handles and smoothed contours complete a look that's low-key but unmistakably custom.

Under the hood sits a 5.7 liter LS1 V8 crate engine topped with a Borla fuel injection system with individual throttle bodies that adds both reliability and visual pop. The engine bay is clean and well-composed, featuring a glossy firewall, screen-covered radiator shroud, custom Chevrolet-script valve covers, and a serpentine accessory drive. Modern air conditioning has been neatly integrated, and a custom stainless steel exhaust system adds a refined tone to the car's street presence. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission, and the handling is dialed in thanks to an Art Morrison front suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, and a Kugel Komponents independent rear setup. Braking comes courtesy of 4-wheel disc brakes with polished calipers, giving the car stopping performance to match its street-friendly speed.

Inside, the transformation is just as dramatic. The interior was fully reimagined by Ron Magnus and trimmed in rich maroon leather that covers everything from the custom door panels to the redesigned dashboard. Bucket seats up front are bolstered for comfort and wrapped to match, divided by a black center console that houses a sleek jet-black shifter. The dashboard hosts a centered gauge cluster with modern instrumentation, blending a vintage layout with up-to-date readouts. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with a period-inspired horn ring ties in the era-correct cues, while the high-end custom stereo system brings a modern soundtrack to the drive. Power windows and locks add convenience, and the leather extends to the rear seats, headliner, and trim elements, giving the cabin a consistent, premium feel throughout.

At a glance, it's easy to tell this isn't just another resto-mod...it's a thoughtfully built machine that's been touched at every level. The result is a car that honors the lines of the original while transforming the experience from top to bottom. It's smooth, powerful, comfortable, and visually distinct without trying too hard. In a world full of overbuilt customs, this Bel Air walks a more disciplined path, one that reflects the right choices rather than all the choices.

Key Highlights

* Multi-year, frame-off build by Platinum Black
* Goodguys Builder's Choice Award winner (2017)
* Art Morrison chassis
* 5.7L LS1 V8 crate engine
* Borla individual throttle bodies
* 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission
* Kugel Komponents independent rear suspension
* One-off Foose wheels
* Four-wheel disc brakes
* 1.5" chopped roof
* Tucked bumpers
* Ron Magnus custom leather interior
* Rack-and-pinion power steering
* Modern air conditioning