Frame Off Restored Bel Air 396/425 HP V8 700R4

We all know tri-five Chevys are some of the most popular and in-demand collector cars on the planet. Back in June we sold our perfect black "'57 convertible":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold/1957-Chevrolet-Bel-Air/132745#!/ for a cool $115K; and it was just the latest in a string of restored-to-original Bel Airs that seem to leave our RK Motors Charlotte showroom almost as fast as they arrive. If you want a chrome-laden show boat that's great for garage parties and Saturday afternoon parking lots, a car like that is all well and good; but what about those of us who demand more? Combining a healthy dose of pro-touring attitude with one of the best Chevrolet designs ever produced, this irresistible red and white 1955 Bel Air custom is a high power monster that puts a new spin on an old favorite. Best of all, you can have all that traditional '50s Chevy personality AND upgraded mechanicals for significantly less than what those restored-to-original cars are selling for!

This super buff, and exceptionally clean, tri-five hot rod is a no-compromises build which combines everything great about Bel Air design with modern suspension technology and an old school Chevrolet big block. Rolling into Gothic Customs in Columbia Station, Ohio as a simple '55 street queen, this old school coupe was completely stripped and given a high quality frame-off restoration that ensured every one of its tall body panels were returned to their rock solid factory appearance. Once a new pair of fenders was bolted up, and two new doors were aligned to perfection, the car's ripple-free body was blanketed in killer Viper Red urethane, accented with White Gold Pearl tri-coat and buried in a durable clearcoat shell which creates a rich and lasting shine. Today, it's very apparent that someone spent a lot of time getting this rounded masterpiece smooth as panel alignment is great from front to back, and the entire build exhibits first-rate finish work. And presently, this show stopping Bel Air sits as a fresh spin on a traditional look that combines the visual punch of a classic Ferrari with the visual class of a vintage Cadillac.

By the time this awesome coupe's owner made his way to the trim catalogues, he had decided his ride would be better served exchanging its pounds of Bel Air stainless for the simpler look of Chevy's stalwart 210. After all, why not give the car's striking paint and badass powertrain a chance to do the talking? Up front, a smoothed chrome bumper rides below a pristine stainless grille, clear parking lights and bright halogen headlights. At the top of that grille, a factory fresh Chevrolet crest is centered below a new 'jetbird' hood ornament that looks fantastic against the car's bright red paint. At the back of that hood, smoked glass rides behind new stainless windshield trim, mirror-like windshield wipers and a classy driver's mirror. On the sides of the car, sharp fender lines dissect traditional chrome door handles, pristine “Bel Air” quarter scripts and straight stainless trim spears that are highlighted by bright white paint. And at the back of the car, a second chrome bumper hangs between a second pristine Chevrolet crest, crystal clear LED tail lights and great looking stainless exhaust tips.

Pop the car's domed hood and you'll find a fresh 396 cubic inch big block V8 that's been completely outfitted for show; and with roughly 425 horsepower, is certainly ready to go! At the top of that hot .030 over block, a ball-milled air cleaner forces wind into a chrome Holley 4150 4-barrel carburetor that's complete with both polished stainless fuel lines and a Lokar throttle linkage. Below that carburetor, a chrome Edelbrock intake props a traditional chrome covered coil and a traditional points distributor between traditional cast iron heads that have been ported, polished and fitted with ball-milled valve covers. And below those heads, high quality ceramic coated headers whisk spent gases into a great sounding true dual exhaust system. Fire for the big red engine begins at a new American Autowire harness and ends at color-matched Mallory Pro Sidewinder plug wires. Cooling comes courtesy of a heavy duty aluminum radiator that's equipped with two electric puller fans, a polished overflow tank, a polished cap and a corrugated chrome top hose. And charging is provided by a billet serpentine system which hangs a chrome alternator above a chrome AC compressor and a chrome power steering pump. Despite its large displacement, the big 396 fits well in this Bel Air's clean engine compartment thanks to a custom molded firewall. And details such as a chrome master cylinder, braided steering hoses, dual chrome horns and high gloss Viper Red fenders add the kind of finishing touches that start conversations and win trophies.

At the bottom of this slick Chevy resto-mod, the theme of clean simplicity continues with molded and mini-tubbed floors that are bolted to a smoothed, Viper Red frame and a thoroughly updated suspension. That thoroughly updated suspension takes GM's old school 'glide ride' technology to a whole new level by combining fresh Classic Performance Products upper and lower control arms with a fresh Classic Performance Products 14:1 steering box and a thick front sway bar. The big engine sends its power to a newly rebuilt GM Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 4-speed transmission that's bolted to a 2,500 RPM stall converter. Motivation is provided by a narrowed Ford nine inch limited slip rear end that was recently rebuilt with new bearings, a new ring and pinion, Moser axles and stout 3.73 gears. Braking is supplied by a Wilwood power four wheel disc system that comes complete with drilled and slotted front rotors. And at the center of the car, a stainless true dual exhaust system sends burnt dinosaurs through an X-pipe crossover, polished Magnaflow mufflers and clean stainless exhaust tips. All the car's details are fully sorted too, with a new stainless gas tank supplying new stainless fuel lines, stainless bolts holding everything together and silver suspension hardware adding just the right amount of flash. All this head turning style rides on a sweet set of 18 inch Boss Motorsports wheels that are wrapped in 225/40 front and 295/35 rear BF Goodrich G-Force T/A radials. And a new pair of two inch drop spindles combines with a new set of familiar rear lowering blocks to tuck those graphite gray wheels under a classic, aggressive stance.

Climb inside this super cool Bel Air and you'll find a completely custom interior that features a great looking combination of dramatic colors and polished aluminum trim. Covered in bright white ultraleather, the car's traditional bench seats are all-day comfortable and devoid of the typical wrinkles and annoying creases you'd see in a hot rod that's been regularly used. Overhead there's a new ultraleather headliner that perfectly matches pearl white door frames; and below the seats, high quality carpet props custom stitched floor mats next to custom kick panels that are formed around giant speakers, a custom mini console that's wrapped around both power window switches and a Vintage Air climate system, and attractive metal pads that are bonded to factory foot pedals. At the sides of the car, pleated door panels look great behind sculpted armrests and trick chrome door and window handles. In front of the driver a Viper Red dash, which has been completely trimmed in stylized billet aluminum from door to door, hangs a JVC AM/FM CD player next to a full array of Classic Instruments gauges. Connecting the driver to the road is a banjo style billet steering wheel which spins a half wrapped rim around a polished Flaming River column. And behind the cockpit, more ultraleather panels and more high quality carpet frame both a relocated battery and a generous amount of cargo space.

What started out as America's first low-priced hardtop has now become a legend. And today, the 1955 Chevy is one of the most exclusive and highly-sought collector cars of all time. If you've been searching for a top notch tri-five custom that's as much fun to drive as it is to show, this cool '55 Bel Air's combination of great performance and classic style simply can't be beat!