1957 Chevrolet Bel Air - $109,900 - Charlotte, NC - SUMMARY
18-month rotisserie restoration completed in early 20165.7 liter GM LS1 V8GM 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmissionCustom leather interior / Air conditioning / Modern audioPPG Onyx Black paintHeavily upgraded suspensionFord 9-inch rear axle / Limited-slip differential / 3.50 gearsWilwood 4-wheel power disc brakes18-inch Boss Motorsports wheelsPower steeringOver the years GM's Chevrolet division has implemented a pretty methodical tactic of building a nameplate up creating fierce loyalty within a certain set of buyers and eventually phasing the model out. While that's proven to be a very beneficial practice for folks who want to build equity with classics like this incredible hardtop it seems a bit counterintuitive. Introduced in 1950 as a youthful alternative to the well-known Styline the revolutionary Bel Air was decidedly cool. And not as ostentatious as an Oldsmobile or as boorish as a Pontiac the car spent most of its life as the poster child for quintessential Americana. This impressive tri-five is a solid cruiser that recently benefitted from a frame-off rotisserie restoration. And if you're looking for some awesome metal that's clean attractive and ready to roll it's your ticket to good times and great value!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Beginning Chevrolet's march up the market the Bel Air sought a more stylish and sophisticated buyer. And when you take one look at this impressive coupe you'll understand exactly why the marque was a colossal sales success. Mixing a tailored profile with a killer stance the car definitely conveys genteel aesthetics in an era of elaborate design. During an 18-month rotisserie restoration conducted by Muscle Car Accessories of Taylorsville North Carolina shapely sheetmetal was stripped bare and married to new floors new fenders new doors new quarters and a new hood. Once that fuselage was massaged solid wet looking PPG Onyx Black 2-stage was augmented with small mirrors modern headlights and a truckload of factory-spec trim. And in early 2016 this legendary Chevy stormed the scene as one razor-sharp hardtop that looks good runs great and is poised to turn heads for years to come!
ENGINE
Take a peek under the car's domed hood and you'll find 5.7 liters of LS1 V8 that's good for over 300 horsepower! Straight from the factory this fully sorted mill combines a sturdy aluminum block with lightweight aluminum heads coil-near-plug ignition and aluminum flat-top pistons to create excellent throttle response and a torque band that's as wide as Texas. At the front of the engine polished RAB Performance serpentine components spin a polished alternator a coated AC compressor and a polished OAW water pump behind a polished air cleaner. Once air enters that cleaner it flows through a factory-spec throttle body to a coated high performance intake which is bolted down over completely stock internals. High octane fossils are provided by GM electronic fuel injection. Sparks are sequenced through 7mm Ferrite plug wires. Spent gases are whisked away by a slick pair of Hedman Husler Muscle Rods shorties. And cooling comes courtesy of a polished aluminum radiator that's fitted with a large electric puller fan. Aesthetically both the Cast Silver mill and its assortment of bright accessories seem right at home inside their glossy body-matched frame. And details like Russell fluid lines trick dipsticks polished fluid reservoirs Corvette fuel rail covers and a familiar Wilwood master cylinder ensure this coupe runs every bit as good as it looks.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
At the bottom of this slick Chevy the restoration-fresh theme continues with fully finished floors that are bolted to a glossy frame and thoroughly updated suspension. That suspension takes GM's old school 'glide ride' technology to a whole new level by combining tubular control arms and modern coil-over-shocks with a 4-bar rear-clip and modern power steering. The quick-spinning small block sends power to a reliable 4L60E 4-speed which twists a Ford 9-inch axle that's equipped with a limited-slip differential and 3.50 gears. Braking is provided by power-assisted Wilwood calipers which clamp four drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust is handled by a series of aluminized pipes which employ an H-shaped crossover and throaty Xlerator mufflers. Torque meets the tarmac through 18-inch Boss Motorsports wheels which spin 245/45 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs in front of 275/40 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs. And everything from this Bel Air's finned transmission cooler to its stainless fuel tank is polished sorted and ready to roll.
INTERIOR
There's no shortage of tri-fives with custom interiors. But this cockpit high-dollar leather installed by Lincolnton North Carolina's James Pharr Upholstery is certainly a stand out. It all begins with custom bucket seats that appear to feature power adjustment for both the car's driver and front passenger. In front of those seats a body-matched dash traces Dakota Digital VHX telemetry and controls for modern air conditioning with polished billet trim. Beneath that dash a custom full-length console founds a short shifter between billet cupholders small power window switches and remote controlled Kenwood audio. Beneath that console slick Mouse Fur carpet floats color-keyed floor mats under billet foot pedals. At the sides of that carpet custom side panels frame stylish trim and polished door handles. Above those panels a custom headliner backs a petite dome lamp and custom sun visors. In front of the driver a painted tilting column spins a polished leather-wrapped wheel. And behind the passengers a fully finished trunk provides a perfect place to display trophies.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
A small stack of restoration photosYou really can't ask for a cooler classic than this classy Chevy especially when it comes to value. Offering great looks and proven performance in a freshly completed rotisserie restoration it's the perfect car for any enthusiast who wants a top-notch cruiser that's sorted polished and ready to roll. So what are you waiting for? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte and enjoy a heavy dose of storied Americana!