Frame Off Restored Bel Air 350 V8 TH350 Vintage A/C

If you've been following our email blasts lately, you probably know all about the completely custom '55 Bel Air that we featured last week for $110K. Sure, it's nice. But what about folks who want the best combination of custom components and drivability in a tri-five Chevy that they firstly, don't have to mortgage the house for and secondly, don't have to worry about roping off at all times? Fear not, RK Motors Charlotte has a car for you too! The beneficiary of a recent frame up restoration, this slick Burnt Orange and Pearl White '55 Bel Air is an awesome custom tri-five that you can enjoy day in and day out for less than HALF the price of that high dollar show queen. With an equal emphasis on both show and go, it combines a stout small block 350 with some of the best custom components on the market to create a head turning hot rod that is fully sorted and ready to hit the road.

The timeless look of the shoebox Chevys will never go out of style, and the most successful cars are always those that don't mess with success. So when you're building your own, have faith in the factory and do as the builder of this car has done: make it as nice as you possibly can without altering the basic goodness of the car. For this '55 Bel Air, that translates to a classic two-tone paint over superbly prepared bodywork and 100% stock sheetmetal. That sheetmetal was sprayed in a basecoat/clearcoat Burnt Orange and Pearl White color combination which adds a new twist to the car's traditional 50s two-tone look. As street rodders tend to do, the finish work is simply beyond anything the factory could have managed displaying excellent gaps and panel fit that make a statement all by themselves. At first glance, the car presents as a slightly darker version of Chevrolet's classic Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige hue. But upon closer inspection, the paint is MUCH more robust and gives the smooth and crisp panels a modern dynamic that an original 50s scheme just can't touch. The result is a car which manages to retain a classic 50s vibe while still looking fresh and modern at the same time.

In a very successful attempt to appeal to a younger audience Chevrolet gave the '55 Bel Air timeless Ferrari inspired detailing which has become some of the most beloved 'car art' of the past 60 years. Up front, a trademark body-width Bel Air bumper sits below a pristine stainless grille, clear parking lights and fresh headlights that have been fitted with stainless half-moon shields. At the top of the grille, a factory fresh Chevrolet crest is centered below a new chrome hood ornament that looks fantastic against the cars Burnt Orange paint. At the back of the hood, smoked glass sits inside of new stainless windshield trim, stainless electric wipers and slick chrome rearview mirrors. On the sides of the car, factory optioned front fender trim accents sharp front fender lines, and straight stainless quarter spears are highlighted by black paint and pristine gold “Bel Air” scripts. At the back of the car, a second body-width chrome bumper hangs over great looking stainless exhaust tips. Above that bumper, clear chrome trimmed tail lights sit above like-new chrome Chevrolet emblems and a second pristine Chevrolet crest is perfectly aligned at the center of the car's trunk.

Pop the Burnt Orange hood on this hot '55 Bel Air and you'll find a dependable small block Chevrolet 350 that produces a nice, round 300 horsepower. At the top of that motor, a polished aluminum air cleaner sends air into a coated four barrel Holley carburetor and a slick polished aluminum intake. Below that intake, a Chevrolet Orange engine block props a billet distributor next to an MSD Blaster coil and hangs grooved polished aluminum valve covers above ceramic coated long tube headers. At the sides of the motor, red Moroso wire looms and red Taylor plug wires contrast well to satin black inner fenders, and at the front of the motor, billet pulleys combine with a chrome AC compressor, a new alternator and a chrome upper radiator hose to add flash. Cooling is provided by an aluminum radiator which is equipped with an aluminum overflow tank, an aluminum fan shroud and an electric fan. Not a detail has been missed under this cars finished hood, and often overlooked items like stainless fuel lines, a correct body matched firewall and a new brake booster are all present and accounted for.

The '55 Chevrolet was an extremely solid platform that is still being enjoyed to this day, and one look underneath this Bel Air shows a 56 year old chassis that has stood the test of time exceptionally well. Both the frame and floor pans have received new stainless hardware and a new coat of satin black paint for added durability, and a proven Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed transmission easily handles anything the stout small block V8 throws its way. At the back of the car, correct leaf springs and drum brakes sit at the sides of a hot late model 12 bolt Posi-traction rear end that runs street friendly 3.07 gears and includes provisions for a modern four link suspension. At the front of the car, traditional double A-arms sit inside of a modern power steering system and retrofitted power disc brakes which make stopping and turning an absolute cinch. Exhaust is handled by a true dual system that combines an H-pipe crossover, two new turbo mufflers and two rear mounted stainless tips into an awesome chorus of sound; and grip is provided by sticky 225/60 front and 245/60 rear Cooper Cobra GT radials that are bolted to slick machine finished 15 inch American Racing aluminum wheels.

The inside of this awesome '55 Bel Air is an excellent mix of spectacular custom parts and classic GM design. The Burnt Orange tweed bench seats are in great condition and perfectly match custom sculpted tweed door panels which integrate modern armrests and chrome handles into a great looking stainless trimmed 'V' motif. In the front foot wells, custom covered kick panels sit behind a passenger's side fire extinguisher and a set of like-new billet pedals that add both form and function. Below those pedals, black carpet and black rubber Bel Air floor mats throw in a killer contrast, while, at the top of the car, a red headliner stretches tight from door to door across the curved roof. At the front of the car, a classic Burnt Orange Bel Air dash features a bowtie stamped chrome insert that is anchored by a new set of Dakota Digital gauges and an iconic passenger's side Bel Air clock and speaker combination. At the center of that dash, a Sony Xplod CD player sends great sounding music to big Pioneer speakers which are mounted in a custom sculpted bowtie package tray, and a Vintage Air climate control system turns hot summer days into ice cold road trips. In front of the driver, a cool Grant Signature Series wood and polished aluminum steering wheel sits on a polished tilt steering column which adds classy look, and behind the cockpit, custom sculpted Burnt Orange tweed panels combine with a new black trunk mat to create a place to stash your cargo.

If you add up all the ingredients which make this 1955 Bel Air such a unique car, the final tally is much larger than our asking price. And when you look at the quality of the work and detail of the restoration, it becomes very apparent that someone really spent a lot of time and money making sure everything is right. There are no shortcuts, no marginal parts, and nothing that looks out of place on what is a uniformly high-quality car; and thanks to the modern small block under its hood and modern drivetrain under its floor, this Chevy is as reliable as it is handsome. Quality never goes out of style and this '55 Bel Air is all the proof you'll ever need. Call today!