1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

Over the past few years, many of the world's finest tri-fives have graced our RK Motors Charlotte showroom. According to sales, '55-'57 resto-mods are often considered our best offerings. And it's easy to see why when something like this incredible Bel Air, a car that backs proven Vortec power with an upgraded drivetrain and custom leather upholstery, is casting bright glares in our sedate photo booth. It's pretty evident that the goal of this Chevy's build was to create one of the coolest cruisers on the strip. And, judging by initial reaction, that mission was certainly accomplished! If you're searching for a sizzling custom that mixes fully sorted mechanicals with great aesthetics, you've found your next classic.

BODYWORK/TRIM

Sealed in a superb combination of Charcoal Gray and Brickhouse Red 2-stage, this slick Bel Air is the beneficiary of an extensive, ground-up restoration. Naturally, the pros who massaged this sedan's timeless body paid plenty of attention to the fundamentals, but their primary focus was creating the most perfect surfacing possible. That surfacing is founded on solid panels that are impressively flat. As expected, those straight pieces ensure fit and finish that's significantly above '50s factory fodder. And today, this Chevy rolls as a first-rate classic that mixes polished tradition with rich customization!

Not surprisingly, this sedan's sophisticated pigment creates a fabulous foundation for a select array of mirrored bolt-ons. At the front of the car, a guarded bumper traces a polished grille, pristine parking lamps and chrome-trimmed halogen headlights. At the top of that grille, a sculpted hood centers a polished 'jetbird' between a bright crest and lightly tinted glass that's seated behind polished frames and polished windshield wipers. At the base of that glass, factory door handles float small nail guards above classy “Bel Air” scripts, ornate 'speed spears' and polished rocker shields. And at the back of the car, a second guarded bumper frames factory tail lamps and a second bright crest.

ENGINE

Work this tri-five's billet Eddie Motorsports hood supports and you'll find 6.2 liters of tough Vortec small block that's good for over 400 horsepower. Straight from the factory, that proven mill combines a sturdy aluminum block with lightweight aluminum heads, coil-near-plug ignition and aluminum flat top pistons to create razor-sharp throttle response and a torque band that's as wide as Texas! At the front of the engine, a remote air cleaner traces a reusable filter element. Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine components spin an Edelbrock water pump between a polished AC compressor and a polished Powermaster alternator. Behind those ancillaries, a billet throttle body feeds a custom sheetmetal intake, which is bolted down over quality GM internals. High-octane fossils, provided by GM electronic fuel injection, get fired by requisite AC Delco plug wires. Spent gases roar through shielded factory manifolds. And cooling comes courtesy of a polished aluminum radiator that's paired with a polished expansion tank and two electric puller fans. Aesthetically, the Cast Silver mill and its assortment of bright accessories seem right at home inside their smooth, body-matched frame. And details, like braided hoses, a billet CBM oil cap, stainless-trimmed AFI horns, and polished and painted coil covers, ensure this Chevy walks a fine line between looks and performance.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Not surprisingly, the bottom of this show worthy bowtie continues the theme of pairing proven hardware with enhanced technology. Behind the awesome engine, a modern GM 6L80 6-speed spins a body-matched driveshaft, which twists a proven Ford 9-inch axle. Turns come courtesy of power rack-and-pinion steering. Speed gets scrubbed by power-assisted calipers, which milk a polished booster to cinch four drilled and slotted rotors. Large-diameter exhaust feeds throaty Magnaflow mufflers and polished stainless tips. The car's Satin Black floors hover on a Gloss Black frame, which rides a factory suspension that's augmented with tubular control arms. And all that hardware rolls on sweet Billet Specialties wheels, which spin 225/45ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs in front of 275/40ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs.

INTERIOR

Between the doors, a custom leather interior creates the perfect contrast for Brickhouse Red paint that's been slinked across the car's dash and window frames. Front and center, a quartet of French-stitched buckets mixes modern lap belts with power adjustment for the car's driver and front passenger. In front of those seats, a stylish dash wraps bowtie-stamped stainless around direct-fit audio, Vintage Air climate control and clean Dakota Digital VHX telemetry. At the base of that dash, a custom, full-length console centers a small shifter between stainless cupholders and contoured courtesy lamps. Beneath that console, like-new carpet bridges the gap between custom side panels, which back billet handles with fluid power windows. Opposite that rug, a leather headliner frames a polished mirror. The driver spins a half-wrapped Billet Specialties steering wheel around a polished and tilting column. And behind the passengers, a custom-upholstered trunk hides a quality JL Audio amplifier that kicks crisp Pioneer speakers.

Wrapped in a detailed, frame-off restoration that would probably take a second mortgage to duplicate, this Chevy rolls on the right side of impressive. It's a highly desirable tri-five that's been carefully fitted with all the right stuff to be one seriously cool cruiser. If you're dreaming of the perfect blend of lavish '50s style and modern, reliable performance, you've found the ultimate classic!

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SUMMARY

• The beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up restoration
• 6.2 liter Vortec V8 / Over 400 horsepower
• GM 6L80 6-speed automatic transmission
• Modern air conditioning
• Custom leather interior / Modern audio
• Power rack-and-pinion steering / 4-wheel power disc brakes
• Ford 9-inch rear axle
• 18-inch Billet Specialties wheels
• Brickhouse Red and Charcoal Gray paint
• Upgraded suspension