Frame Off Built Bel Air EFI LT1 350 V8 4L60E with AC

We all know tricked out '55 Chevys are some of the most popular and in-demand collector cars on the planet. In the past 12 months, we've watched NINE '55 Chevrolets leave our showroom almost as fast as they arrived. And while that kind of demand is pretty impressive as a standalone stat, the real eyebrow raiser is that those nine cars, ranging from 100% era correct restorations all the way to outrageous customs, produced an average transaction price of just under $75K! That kind of demand is both a good thing and a bad thing for prospective buyers. Good because they can confidently purchase a classic which seems to never go out of style and always has a prospective audience who's looking to join the ranks of ownership. Bad because finding one of those classics and landing 'first dibs' on it almost means they have to have a cash-in-hand mentality. Fortunately, our talented RK Motors Charlotte staff has been working diligently to provide classic car collectors with a steady stream of top notch 'tri-fives'; and if you're one of the many folks who's looking for a fresh Bel Air that you can pick up trophies with and enjoy absolutely anywhere on the open road, you're going to love our newest addition. This irresistible red and parchment custom combines a modern Impala drivetrain with a paint shop fresh restoration and one of the best Chevrolet designs ever produced. And best of all, you can have all of its traditional Chevy personality AND its upgraded mechanicals for less than half the cost of building your own!

This slick double nickel Chevy is a no-compromises build, combining everything great about classic Chevy design with modern technology that's more akin to a new Corvette. During its fresh frame-off restoration, high quality metalwork ensured every one of its body panels exhibited a rock solid factory appearance and displayed precise fit and finish that rivals the best modern cars on the market. Once that top notch metalwork was complete, a killer combination of Red and Parchment urethane was sprayed to exactly duplicate the car's original two-tone exterior and sealed in a glossy clearcoat shell. The result is one rockin' 'tri-five' hot rod which looks absolutely stunning and is sure to elicit double takes wherever it goes.

The '55 is certainly the cleanest of the 'tri-five' Chevys with its minimal trim and crisp, retro styling devoid of the massive chrome and exaggerated proportions which typically characterize 50s era Detroit steel. At the front of the car, a trademark body-width Bel Air bumper rides below a mirror-like grille, clear halogen lights, a factory fresh Chevrolet crest and a perfectly centered 'jetbird' hood ornament. At the top of the car, fresh glass is flanked by matte finished wipers, new stainless trim, show worthy chrome mirrors and traditional Bel Air door frames. At the sides of the car, deluxe Bel Air front fender trim combines with traditional chrome door handles to perfectly complement new “Bel Air” side scripts and white detailed 'tri-five' quarter panel spears. And out back, a second body-width chrome bumper hangs between square stainless exhaust tips, chrome trimmed blue dot tail lights, a second pristine Chevrolet crest and small chrome Chevrolet emblems.

Take a peek under the smooth, rolled hood and you'll find a stout 350 cubic inch LT1 V8 which transitioned from beneath the black bonnet of a 1996 Impala SS to the glossy red engine bay of this hot old Chevy. Straight from GM, this fully sorted package combines a cast iron block and heads with electronic fuel injection and reverse-flow cooling to create an even 260 horsepower and a stout 330 lb./ft. of razor sharp throttle response. At the front of the engine, a polished air tube snakes behind a Griffin aluminum radiator that's complete with a polished overflow tank and two quick spinning electric puller fans. Once air enters that tube, it flows from a new air filter to a factory LT1 throttle body which sits on top of a factory LT1 intake and a completely stock internals. Aesthetically, the car' glossy panels combine with the LT1's thick coat of black high temp paint to provide a clean, monochromatic look which oozes custom appeal. And niceties such as chrome fuel rail covers, freshly painted ancillary components, braided hoses and trick braided dipsticks add just the right amount of flash and detail to make people stop and take notice.

As with its engine bay and exterior panels, the bottom of this road ready Bel Air continues to build on the theme of pairing proven hardware with enhanced technology. Behind the stout small block a smooth shifting 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission, equipped with a standard computer controller, sends power to a narrowed GM Posi-traction rear end that's packed full of highway friendly 3.08 gears. Turns come courtesy of a modern power steering system which gives the car quick reflexes and excellent maneuverability. Stops are provided by power four wheel power disc brakes that are both quick and precise. And a fresh, aluminized true dual exhaust system sends spent gases through great sounding mufflers to spotless stainless tips. The car's gloss black frame and undercoated floorpan complement a rebuilt 'glide ride' ball-joint suspension which benefits from fresh shocks, new springs and tubular control arms. And you can rest assured the drivetrain works as well as OEM equipment since it was supplied by the same 1996 Impala SS as the car's proven LT1 powerplant. All this like-new drivability rides on a sweet set of 18 inch front and 20 inch rear Coys five spoke chrome wheels which spin 225/40 front and 255/35 rear Nankang Ultra Sport radials. And fully sorted details like a fresh driveshaft, a fresh stainless fuel tank and a full set of stainless fuel lines and braided brake hoses ensure this classic Chevy will provide years of carefree cruising.

Inside the car, traditional Bel Air style has been augmented by choice customization and careful attention to detail. The rebuilt front and rear bench seats are all-day comfortable and feature a nice combination of red vinyl and parchment cloth that fits without any significant wrinkles or annoying creases. Overhead there's a new headliner that's propped up by traditional chrome Bel Air roof bows and a chrome rearview mirror; and below, like-new red Daytona carpet rides under color-keyed floor mats and a satin finished 'go pedal'. In front of the seats the car's bright red dash, which features pristine bowtie stamped stainless trim from door to door, hangs a traditional passenger's side Bel Air clock and speaker combo opposite a direct fit cassette player, controls for the car's Vintage Air climate system and modern, color-keyed Classic Instruments gauges. And at the sides of the seats, traditional two-tone door panels look great behind correct chrome handles, bright red door toppers and pristine stainless trim. In front of the driver, a fully restored Bel Air steering wheel spins around a body-matched steering column that's complete with a simple chrome shifter. And behind the cockpit, a traditional vinyl package tray hangs a fresh speaker over a fully restored trunk that's big enough to hold supplies for a cross country road trip

Included with the sale of this spotless Bel Air is a small stack of restoration receipts.

What started out as America's first low-priced hardtop coupe has become a legend; and now the 1955 Chevrolet is one of the most collectable, highly-sought classic cars of all time. Sure, there are a lot of nice 'tri-fives' out there, but how many are built to this level and carry this kind of drivability? If you've been searching for an exceptionally nice, custom Bel Air which has twice the street cred of an original car for a fraction of the price, this '55 hardtop's combination of performance and style simply can't be beat!