1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

One of the advantages of the Tri-Five Chevys like this '55 Bel Air is that the engine bay is big enough to handle anything you can imagine. This one, for example, carries a hulking fuel-injected 502 Ram Jet big block, which is also backed by a 5-speed manual and 4-wheel discs, making it more of a modern muscle car than a '50s cruiser.

But before we get into the big block, let's talk about the gorgeous red and white paint job. Finished in 2007, it was refinished to be an attention-grabber and they've succeeded brilliantly. The colors are period-correct and use modern urethane paint but there are no metallic in the finish, so it looks quite appropriate on the vintage sheetmetal. Great gaps, sharp panel alignment, and a professional buff gives it a vivid shine, and it's hard to argue with the final result. There's considerable chrome and trim on any '50s car, including this Chevy, and it has all been professionally restored or refinished by exact replacements, so it looks showroom fresh except for those racy Torque Thrust wheels. The rear bumper is a 1-piece California piece and the taillights are fitted with LEDs to improve visibility and give it a trick look at night.

Given the extensive upgrade to the entire car, the interior is remarkably well-integrated and stock-looking. Fresh red and white upholstery that replicates the original stuff quite well, matching red carpets, and a new headliner all give it a factory look. On the other hand, the polished tilt column, leather-wrapped wheel, and discreetly installed A/C vents provide modern comfort. A white Hurst cue ball shifter tops the Tremec 5-speed but looks like it came straight out of the '60s, and there's a nicely-fitted AM/FM head unit in the dash that connects to the 10-disc CD changer in the trunk. Dakota Digital gauges offer state-of-the-art style in the original gauge cluster, and it looks especially trick at night. The trunk is fully upholstered with matching materials, with things like the CD changer and diagnostic tool stashed behind the bulkhead to keep things looking tidy.

Thanks to a smoothed and recontoured firewall, the 502 cubic inch V8 with Ram Jet fuel injection fits just fine in the '55's engine bay. That massive intake is hard to mistake for anything else, and thanks to the wonders of fuel injection, it makes massive horsepower without being cranky about it. The list of upgrades is extensive, including a big Griffin aluminum radiator, chrome accessories with a serpentine belt drive, and braided stainless hoses for the HVAC system. Looks good, doesn't it? Underneath, there are tubular front A-arms, a rack-and-pinion steering system, 4-wheel power disc brakes and a custom exhaust system with ceramic-coated long-tube headers that are like modern sculpture all by themselves. The Tremec 5-speed manual transmission with its tall overdrive 5th gear means that the 3.73s in the 12-bolt can do their thing without the engine getting too busy on the highway. Handsome and traditional Torque thrust wheels complete the vintage hot rod look and wear staggered 225/70/15 front and 275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich blackwalls radials.

Big power, great brakes, a slick-shifting transmission, and agile handling all sound like modern muscle car, but the look says "1955" all over again. Truly the best of both worlds, this Bel Air is a no-compromises rod that does it all. Call today!