1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop

Description

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop

VIN: VC560075085

SUMMARY

* Rotisserie restoration completed several years ago.

* Appraised at $130,000 when restoration was completed.

* In excess of $175K to build, materials and labor

* Original California rust free car, all original sheet metal

* Only 4 owner history, includes present owner

* 383 Stroker / 425 horsepower

* 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission with /shift kit

* Custom leather interior by Ron Mangus Interiors

* Vintage Air conditioning

* Modern Alpine/CD/XM radio and Memphis audio

* Custom Turquoise and White paint with mild Ghost Flames

* Currie Enterprise 9-inch rear axle with Detroit Truetrac/3.89 gears

* Power steering with Heidt's Chrome tubular upper control arms

* Wilwood 4-wheel power disc brakes

* Sale includes all trophies won by this beauty

* Sale includes original to the car the 1956 California license plate

* Sale includes 2 binders of build receipts

You are bidding on a Trophy Hunter, one of the highest restored, original California rust free 1956 Chevy Bel Airs in the country. How many 60-year old cars do you know that has the complete ownership history with it? And, to top that off, only 57,447 total miles prior to restoration and 2,200 miles since the restoration was completed. This restoration was so high-end, she was appraised as a trailer queen and that status remains with her today. She is a 100% show car, trailered to most every car show. This car has never seen rain and never parked outside.

However, not to say the next owner will want to make her a driver! When the weather gets warm, dreams of cruising down the highway in a jaw-dropping classic are inevitable. Linger on that thought a little longer and the sound of a small block V8 comes to mind coupled with images of an old school dash. We’ll let you fill in the details from there, but, if you like where we were going, have a look at this incredible Bel Air. Backing a new, GM crate 383 Stroker engine with a 700R4 overdrive transmission with a shift kit, and custom leather upholstery, this head-turning hardtop has been drawing stares ever since it rolled out of restoration. And if you’re ready to feel the summer breeze behind the wheel of a unique, first-class custom, it’s a chance to turn your dreams into reality!

BODYWORK/TRIM

The beneficiary of a body-off, rotisserie restoration that was completed several years ago, this awesome Chevy features a decidedly street rod aesthetic that’s highlighted by glossy Turquoise and White with very subtle Ghost Flames, courtesy of Dave Little, Little Designs Paint in Lancaster, CA. A rust-free gem that spent its entire life in California before and during restoration. The car was located in Healdsburg, CA in May of 2003 and purchased from the 2nd owner, wearing original sheet metal and original red and white paint. By the way, the 2nd owner was good friends with the original owner, who gifted him his Bel Air. At that point, the new and 3rd owner began a meticulous 2 ½ year comprehensive restoration. The original panels were then striped of old paint, slightly skimmed to remove any hint of the original factory wave in the metal panels, primer added, then base and clear coats. All its gaps and style lines were massaged to uniformity. The frame was powder coated and all holes were filled and smoothed. All of the stainless and chrome is perfect beyond any factory trim. And today, this hardtop rolls as one fully sorted hot rod that’s tasteful, unique and poised to drop jaws!

ENGINE

Elevate the car’s Turquoise with Subtle Ghost Flamed hood and you’ll find a new, GM crate 383 Stroker. Straight from the factory, this fully sorted mill combines a sturdy Edelbrock aluminum intake with a Holley 770 Street Avenger carb and electronic ignition to produce a solid 425 horsepower. At the front of the engine, a serpentine component spins a chromed alternator, and a modern Vintage AC compressor. High octane fossils are provided by the Holley 770 Street Avenger and spent gases are whisked away by a slick pair of ceramic-coated headers, exiting through a MagnaFlow custom exhaust with chrome tips. Quality Ron Francis wiring ensures everything communicates well. And cooling comes courtesy of a polished Mattson cross-flow radiator that’s fitted with a large puller fan. Aesthetically, the chromed and black mill blends seamlessly with the extra holes filled and smoothed firewall. And options like stainless fluid lines and power steering allows this hardtop to navigate every bit as good as it looks.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this Chevy on a lift and you’ll find a super clean black undercarriage that’s been prepped and primped to match the quality of the car’s slick striking exterior. The well-mannered motor twists a predictable 700R4 overdrive transmission with a shift kit, which spins a tough Currie Enterprise 9-inch with Detroit Truetrac that’s fitted with 3.89 ratio. That Ford-inspired pumpkin is an integral part of a sturdy factory frame, which was stripped bare and powder coated during the car’s detailed restoration. Those bones roll on a suspension that’s augmented with a Heidt’s 2” lowered chrome tubular upper control arms in addition to chrome traction bars in the rear which makes this lady sit low and ready to pounce. Modern power steering provides fingertip tracking. Quick stops are a cinch thanks to power 4-wheel Wilwood calipers, which squeeze 12-inch drilled and slotted rotors. Attractive American Racing Torq Thrust wheels with center polished caps are the finishing touch, running BF Goodrich g-Force 245/45 ZR17 95W in the front and BF Goodrich g-Force 255/50 ZR17 101W in the rear. Everything in this beauty appears poised to provide years of pleasure and especially trophies.

INTERIOR

Open this Bel Air’s doors and you’ll find a plush leather cockpit that was installed by Ron Mangus Interiors of Rialto, California. A true leader in the upholstery world, Ron is renowned on the west coast and 2nd to none. Starting with the high grade leather bench seat, as well as the passenger seat, a dyed to perfection cockpit to match the elegant exterior body paint. Flanking both sides of the bench are the full all leather door panels highlighted with factory handles, matching in the same Turquoise and White. Beneath that bench are clean California carpets, color-coded floor mats to match. Opposite that carpet and looking north, a custom leather headliner ups the style quotient. If that wasn’t enough, behind the passengers, check out the custom leather trunk with hidden battery compartment, perfectly matching the headliner’s design. In front of the driver, an Ididit tilting chrome column spins a traditional black and chrome steering wheel with a Chevy bowtie in the centered on the cap. Controlled by the factory heat and air levers is a Vintage air conditioning unit. Inside the glove box, an Alpine/CD/XM radio that runs a hidden Memphis Audio system. And, here is the sweetest part, look at this interior and you see a factory looking Bel Air dash, not one so highly modified that you’re not sure what car you are viewing.

So there you have it, a sweet Chevy that wraps a proven drivetrain in striking aesthetics and comfortable upholstery. Despite broad aftermarket support, building a quality tri-five that looks, runs and drives this well is still a serious undertaking. As you can tell, the builders of this Bel Air didn’t cut a single corner. Looking for a tasteful, functional custom that’ll always draw a crowd and a few trophies, too? Call your friends who have built a show car and ask them about materials and labor. Bid on this slick hardtop beauty and spare yourself the headache and cost of a ground-up build!