Frame Off Built Bel Air ZZ4 V8 Muncie M21 Discs & A/C

Despite being best-known for their classic good looks and pure American style, late 50s 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 highly appealing cars featured a universal adaptability that 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 '55 Bel Air sedan which mixes a fire-breathing ZZ4 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 Chevy showpiece, but want something that's a heck of a lot more fun than a stuffy restored-to-original car, this spectacular tri-five's killer combination of vintage style and modern performance simply can't be beat!

Combining classic Chevrolet lines with brilliant Quasar Metallic Blue paint this fantastic Bel Air post is the beneficiary of a high quality, frame-off restoration which created one unique and very impressive cruiser. After spending many years rolling down the road as a bone-stock bowtie, and a few more years sitting in the dry Texas heat, the car's solid body was shipped to Garman's Auto Body in Atlanta, Georgia for a high dollar overhaul. Once that body's panels were completely stripped and thoroughly worked, Garman's bolted up a brand new California frame and rolled the whole kit and caboodle into their booth for a smooth new basecoat and a tough new clearcoat. When that slick two-stage paint dried, the car was fully detailed and carefully 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 are lucky enough to own!

In a victorious attempt to appeal to a younger audience Chevrolet gave the '55 Bel Air Ferrari-inspired detailing which has become some of the most beloved 'car art' of the past 60 years. At the front of this sedan, a trademark body-width Bel Air bumper rides below a pristine stainless grille, amber parking lights and modern halogen headlights that are lined in traditional chrome trim. At the top of that grille, a factory-fresh Chevrolet crest is centered below a new 'jetbird' hood ornament which looks fantastic against the car's metallic blue paint. At the back of that hood, tinted glass rides inside new stainless trim, bright stainless wipers and stylish chrome mirrors. At the base of those mirrors factory optioned fender trim, sharp fender lines and straight stainless quarter spears are accented by bright white inlays, traditional chrome door handles and pristine “Bel Air” emblems. And behind those quarter spears, blue dot tail lights frame a second pristine Chevrolet crest, small chrome Chevrolet emblems, a second body-width bumper and great looking stainless exhaust tips.

Take a look between this Bel Air's cool blue fenders and you'll find a hot GM Performance Parts ZZ4 350 which utilizes a forged 1053 crank, powdered connecting rods, a hydraulic roller cam and hypereutectic flat top pistons to turn stout 10 to 1 compression into 355 horsepower and 405 lb./ft. of torque. At the top of that smooth-spinning engine a coated Holley carburetor, which is piped to a small pressure gauge via high quality braided hoses, rides between a dual plane intake and a small chrome air cleaner. At the sides of that intake, L98 Corvette heads prop polished, center-bolt valve covers above a slick pair of custom Sanderson headers. At the front of those heads, polished pulleys spin a chrome alternator and a polished AC compressor above a high quality, polished water pump. Fire is provided by a familiar Delco-Remy HEI distributor which shoots sparks from a Flame Thrower ignition to black Taylor plug wires. And cooling comes courtesy of a high performance aluminum radiator that's finished with a chrome corrugated hose, a polished bowtie cap and a large electric pusher fan. Aesthetically, the car's big engine bay is super clean from its polished battery tie down and chrome caps all the way to its classic dual horns. And an even coat of satin black paint perfectly contrasts the small block's bright, Chevrolet Orange glow!

The theme of 'super clean' continues at the bottom of this awesome '55 Chevy where the car's straight frame and fresh floorpans have been sprayed in a subdued combination of traditional red oxide primer and smooth satin black paint. Behind the stout small block engine a rock-solid M21 Muncie 4-speed sends power to a tough Ford nine inch rear end that's equipped with wiry 3.70 gears. Holding that solid drivetrain off the ground is a completely rebuilt double A-arm front and leaf spring rear suspension which benefits from tubular control arms, a tubular crossmember, and a boxed and Imron coated one-piece California frame. Tight turns and easy apexes come courtesy of a traditional power steering system. Quick stops and excellent pedal feel are supplied by Wilwood power four wheel disc brakes which are complete with polished calipers and giant 11 inch drilled and slotted rotors. And a first-rate soundtrack is provided by a polished true dual exhaust system which sends spent gases to classic Bel Air mufflers and spotless stainless tips. All this head turning style rides on a sticky set of 225/55 Goodyear Eagle LS radials that are wrapped around a sweet set of 17 inch polished Budnik wheels. And the car comes with a full outfit of high quality finishing touches which include a new stainless fuel tank, new stainless hardware, and new stainless fuel and brake lines.

Featuring a nice mix of custom and traditional pieces, this Bel Air's BMW silver interior presents the kind of quality craftsmanship that separates parade cars from power tour cars. Two rows of supple bench seats are covered in soft leather hides which display no significant wear and features exceptionally comfortable surfaces. Above those seats, a custom headliner frames a traditional round dome light; and below those seats, like-new carpet props thick silver floor mats next to a custom-booted Hurst shifter. On the doors, custom leather panels look great between painted frames, traditional handles, chrome power window switches and killer piston lock knobs. And in front of the driver, a curvaceous blue dash is detailed with bowtie-stamped stainless, a high output 6-disc CD changer, a roster of traditional Bel Air regalia, and a trio of accessory gauges that include a pint-size tachometer. Connecting the driver to the road is a polished Budnik steering wheel which spins a color-keyed rim around a polished tilt steering column. And stowing the passenger's many accessories is a custom upholstered trunk which hangs a bowtie-branded back panel between amps, a big bass box and plenty of cargo space.

The sale of this sweet Chevy resto-mod includes a photo album of restoration pictures.

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 restoration that's beyond reproach, and a spectacular 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 that's twice as much fun and twice as reliable as an all-original roller, this '55 Bel Air is your ticket!