1957 Chevrolet Belair 2 door hardtop sport coupe, V8. You are looking at a truly magnificent eight year total frame off restoration to restomod status. This 57 restomod was designed to deal with todays interstate highways and backroads and is a superb handling automobile in every respect.
The 57 was registered in Texas for much of its life and moved to New York State in the early eighties by a returning Army veteran. It was then a quarter mile drag car equipped with a high performance Vette 327 and a muncie four speed and raced at Lancaster Speedway. After blowing the rear differential it spend the next 10 years in a barn until my brother found and purchased it.
At that point the project plan was to undertake a total frame off restoration to restomod status. The frame off restortion took 8 years to complete. The body panels are original, no requartering, original oem fenders and the original oem bumpers were rechromed. The frame is original and completely rust free. The 57 was never exposed to New York winter driving and salty roads. Undercarriage is flawless and shines if new.
Drive line - 350 ci sbc, 275 hp, mild cam for smooth idle and good performance, Edelbrock 650 carb, dual plane intake, electronic ignition, Sanderson cast headers, gear reduction starter, dual exhaust with Thrush mufflers, Griffin radiator, 7 blade clutch fa, Vintage Air conditioned, power rack and pinion steering, automatic overdrive transmission, TH7004 indestructable Animal Version overdrive that has been modified to have TV pressure on the bands constantly designed the way Chevrolet should have, Ford 9 rear differential carrier wih 373 open gear, aluminum driveshaft, rear 11 inch brake hubs, front brakes are power disc with drilled and slotted brake rotors.
Interior - Front seats are new springs and frames, cushions and new stock seat upholstery, dynamax insulated throughout, new door panels, new bows and headliner,Wndow Specialty power windows, Dakota digital dash instrumention to include clock, speedo, tach, oil, temp sensors, usa radio equiped with usb and component jacks, new window glass and rubber, Raingear hidden windshiedwiper unit, Ididit tilt steering. Original 57 chev spotlight. Optima battery in Bitchin battery box and installed in trunk. Red interior.
Exterior - American racing 16 inch mag wheel, Cooper tires, original stainless trim polished, twin rear radio antennas, LED tail lights, third tail light unit. Black GM paint.
Undercarriage - Classic Chevy upper tubular control arms, heavy duty springs front and rear, hd shocks, helwig sway bars front and rear. A Rock Valley stainless steel gas tank was installed wich contains a electric fuel pump and plumming in the event fuel injection was to be considered later.
Receipts for parts alone amount over $30,000 and that does not even count the purchase price of the car or the 8 years of painstatking frame off renovation time and effort.
This classic is truly an automobile that can be driven to California today with no worry and cruise at 80 mph all day long. Comfort, handling, and performance combine to deliver the driver and passenger a memorable driving experience.
Pictures are a collection from the original frame off and also of the last three years since I purchased the 57 from my brother.
Reserve 41K.