1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Resto-Mod

Description

It's likely that Streetside Classics sells more 1957 Chevys than anyone else in the business, so when we say this one is special, you know it demands some extra attention. Fitted with modern fuel injected LS3 V8 power, this classic-looking Bel Air has the moves of a modern muscle car and will easily withstand the test of time to remain at the top of collectors' wish lists.

Hard to go wrong with a black '57 Chevy hardtop, and by eschewing the two-tone treatment, this one skips the friendly '50s look and goes right to serious street machine. The build is recent so the finish is glossy and slick, but they were careful not to remove even one single piece of that gorgeous Bel Air trim. Black means some overtime in the block sanding department and that was time well spent here, and with glittering diamond gloss paint and nary a flaw to be found, this is one black car that was definitely done right. The sheetmetal is wave-free, the finish is deep enough to swim in, and there's no way cars coming off the assembly line were ever this good. There was also a sizeable chunk of change invested in the trim, from the beautiful bumpers to all the stainless that lines up so well, to the gold anodized pieces that are an inkling that there's a potent V8 under the hood. The unique window flappers that Chevy used in '57 are brand new, so they work properly and LED taillights out back retain the original look with a neat light show when the sun goes down.

The same "everything old is new again" look was used inside, where factory bench seats were reupholstered in red and black upholstery that looks period perfect and suitably updated. The factory instrument panel was stuffed full of Classic Instruments gauges with beautiful off-white faces, and the steering wheel looks slightly fatter and slightly smaller in diameter than the original, but it would take an expert to spot it. An AM/FM provides all-day entertainment (and it's pre-wired for a CB!) and with a powerful A/C system tucked under the dash, this car is as comfortable as your daily driver. A custom tilt steering column has a neat shifter for the 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission and there's a tailor-made mini console under the dash. Power windows zip up and down thanks to modern motors and while they were in there, they added power locks as well. The trunk was finished with simple black carpets that offer a lot of space and keep some of the working parts out of sight.

That gorgeous 6.2 liter LS3 V8 under the hood has modern tech and horsepower and a bit of an old-school look. The intake is distinctive and you already know that the LS V8 is perhaps the most durable and torquey small block you can choose for your rod. Factory equipment was used wherever possible, although there is a big aluminum radiator up front to keep it cool effortlessly and a GM control system so it drives like a stocker. A 4L70E 4-speed automatic transmission uses a GM Performance Supermatic controller and feeds a Ford 9-inch rear end. Long-tube headers and a Magnaflow stainless exhaust with X-pipe give it that modern muscle car sound that'll definitely get noticed at car shows, causing guys to do a double-take when they see it's a '57. The lowered stance gives it just a bit of attitude without killing ride quality, and yes, you're seeing Wilwood disc brakes through the spokes. Polished Torque Thrusts wear staggered 205/65/15 front and 255/60/15 rear Michelin radials.

Expertly built with all the equipment that makes it reliable and comfortable, this is resto-mod done right. Call today!