Frame-Up Restored Bel Air 350 V8 700R4 4 Speed w/AC

Despite being best-known for their classic good looks and pure American style, tri-five Chevys were the hot rod of choice for many a young gearhead who had a thirst for power and a need for speed. Dominating drag strips and terrorizing stoplights long before the likes of Tri-powered GTOs and Hemi powered Mopars, these cars featured an unbeatable combination of adaptability and universal appeal which created the perfect platform for amazing bowtie builds. Today, truly spectacular tri-five resto-mods are much less common than their vast numbers would suggest; and to really turn heads and inspire spontaneous thumbs up, one needs a car that is exceptionally well-done and virtually flawless. A fitting example would be this awesome '57 Bel Air hardtop which mixes a fire-breathing 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 tri-five show car, but want something that's a heck of a lot more fun than a stuffy restored-to-original car, this spectacular Chevy's killer combination of classic style and modern performance simply can't be beat!

Combining classic Chevrolet lines with a brilliant coat of BMW's Titanium Silver Metallic, this fantastic Bel Air hardtop is the recent beneficiary of a high quality body-on-frame restoration which created one of the most unique and impressive tri-fives we've ever seen. After spending 52 years rolling through North Carolina's piedmont with black exterior paint and a black on red interior, the car was purchased by an avid Bel Air enthusiast as a do-it-yourself restoration. Eventually that enthusiast realized he'd wondered into the world of tri-five refurbishing a bit too far too fast, and this solid old Chevy was shipped to Strickland Automotive in Lenoir, North Carolina for a complete, frame-up overhaul. After the all-original body was stripped to bare metal, a quick inspection found no major rust spots, a thorough inspection found absolutely no evidence of prior frame damage or body work; and $15,413 later, the car rolled out of the paint booth wearing a smooth PPG basecoat under a tough PPG clearcoat. It wasn't long before the experts right down the street at Hot Rod Dynamics had everything re-assembled and massaged to perfection. And today, this slick Bel Air resto-mod is the kind of car we all stare at, many of us fondly remember, and few of us ever have the opportunity to actually own!

There's just something about a nice combination of bright silver paint and spotless stainless trim that speaks to the very soul of any true car guy. And this hardtop, with its glossy new hue and fresh Danchuk details, evokes the kind of tailored, masculine look that's more commonly found on factory-backed show cars and well-done street rods. At the front of the car a heavy, body-width bumper houses a proper gold Bel Air grille behind a pristine Chevrolet crest and trick, amber LED parking lights. Above that crest, Bel Air exclusive gold hood ornamentation sits between modern tri-bar headlights and good looking '57 Chevy exclusive 'spear bullets and spoons'. At the sides of those bullets, classic tri-five Chevy stainless, which visually connects the car's front fenders with its rear fins, is branded by Bel Air exclusive gold emblems and displays no dulling or imperfections of any kind. Below that stainless, dent-free rocker moldings, which overemphasize the car's overall length, perfectly reflect our RK Motors Charlotte showroom floor. At the top of those rockers, excellent looking stainless trim combines with correct chrome mirrors and new SPW hidden wipers as a stylish complement to like-new front glass and 35% smoked greenhouse glass. And at the back of the car, peaked stainless trim, which begins at the top of the fins and continues down to chrome trimmed, bowtie branded LED tail lights, perfectly complements a second body-width chrome bumper, Bel Air exclusive gold trunk ornamentation and pristine Flowmaster exhaust tips.

Take a look between this tri-five's Titanium Silver Metallic fenders and you'll find a hot 350 cubic inch V8 which utilizes a flat tappet cam, 93 octane pump gas and zinc enhanced motor oil to create roughly 325 horsepower and the kind of on-demand torque which can turn a mild-mannered Carolina mountain road into a tail chasing thrill ride. At the top of that smooth spinning engine, a 4-barrel Edelbrock Endurashine carburetor, which is fed by a chrome pump and high quality braided hoses, rides between an Edelbrock Endurashine Performer RPM intake and a red Cadillac-style, Bel Air branded air cleaner. At the sides of the engine, factory cast iron heads prop polished, two-piece Chevrolet branded valve covers above a slick pair of long tube, ceramic coated headers. And at the front of the engine, an attractive Vintage Air front runner accessory drive system spins a chrome alternator and a chrome AC compressor above a high quality Stewart water pump. Fire is provided by a new American Autowire harness which jolts red Taylor plug wires through an MSD Blaster 2 coil and an MSD billet distributor. And cooling comes courtesy of a $2,200 polished cross-flow radiator and core support which is complete with a chrome water tube, a polished overflow tank, two quick spinning Mr. Gasket puller fans and a polished bowtie radiator cap. Aesthetically, the car's big engine bay is super clean from its fully hidden hoses and concealed wiring all the way to its Hot Rod Dynamics Smoothie firewall. And an even coat of silver paint contrasts perfectly to a bright red engine block and niceties such as a polished hood brace, a chrome brake booster and master cylinder, and trick Lokar throttle hardware.

The theme of 'super clean' continues at the bottom of this awesome '57 Chevy where the car's straight frame and brand new floorpans have been sprayed in a subdued coat of traditional GM satin black paint. Behind the stout small block engine, a new GM Performance Parts Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 sends power to a tough Ford nine inch rear end that's equipped with both an Auburn limited slip differential and interstate friendly 3.50 gears. Holding that solid drivetrain off the ground is a completely rebuilt double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension which benefits from Heidt's narrow tubular control arms, new drop leaves, QA1 adjustable shocks, both front and rear sway bars and two inch drop spindles. Tight turns and easy apexes come courtesy of a power rack and pinion steering system. Quick stops and excellent pedal feel are supplied by Wilwood power four wheel disc brakes which are complete with both four piston calipers and giant 12 inch drilled and slotted rotors. And a first-rate soundtrack is provided by a 2.5 inch Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust system which sends spent gases through an H-pipe crossover to classic Flowmaster 50 series mufflers and spotless Flowmaster exhaust tips. All this head turning style rides on sticky 245/40 front and 275/40 rear Nitto 555 radials which are wrapped around a sweet set of 18 inch Foose Legend wheels. And the car comes with a host of cool finishing touches which include, a finned transmission pan, a centered stainless fuel tank and new stainless fuel and brake lines.

Installed by Dave Grogan of Morganton, North Carolina, this Bel Air's vivid custom interior presents the kind of quality craftsmanship that separates the parade cars from the power tour cars. Modern power front bucket and rear bench seats are covered in faux red leather which displays attractive silver inserts and features exceptionally comfortable surfaces. Above those seats, a crisp faux headliner frames a fully functional dome light. And below those seats, like-new carpet is sandwiched between thick Hushmat insulation and a custom faux leather console that's topped by a slick Lokar shifter. On the doors, custom faux leather panels look great between painted door frames, and an array of polished handles. And in front of the driver, a curvaceous red dash is detailed with traditional tri-five stainless, fresh Classic Instruments gauges, and a Custom Autosound direct fit tape deck that's wired to clear Pioneer speakers. Connecting the driver to the road is a polished half-wrap steering wheel which spins a red and black rim around a polished “Genuine Chevrolet” horn button, a chrome Flaming River tilt steering column, and a fresh set of Lokar billet pedals. And stowing the passenger's many accessories is a custom upholstered trunk which props a small courtesy light above an attractive red and silver back panel and fresh red carpet.

Included with the sale of this sweet Chevy resto-mod is two binders full of build receipts, component manuals, and detailed build photos.

Sure, there are a lot of nice tri-five Chevys on the market, but how many are built to this level and carry this kind of individual appeal? With a high quality build that's beyond reproach and a color combination that's a complete knockout at shows, this Bel Air is the kind of car that draws crowds and sets standards. If you're looking for an exceptionally nice tri-five Chevy that's twice as much fun and twice as reliable as an all-original car, this '57 Bel Air is your ticket!