Frame Off Built Bel Air 350 V8 TH350 with Air Ride

I can't think of a more underappreciated classic than Chevy's fifth generation full-size. Steadfast, distinguished and great to look at, these big work horses carry the trademark combination of classic good looks and rugged versatility that has built Chevrolet into one of the largest and most recognized brands in the world. Their no-nonsense nature and big performance potential was a huge hit with 60s gearheads; and given the recent shift back to more traditional hot rodding, it seems only natural they'll see a major boost in popularity. When it comes to riding in style, nothing quite has the presence of this blacked out, award winning Bel Air. And when you factor in its powerful small block V8, tastefully customized interior and first rate, all-American sheetmetal, you realize what an incredible car it really is!

The beneficiary of a professional frame-up restoration, this super cool cruiser is covered in a striking coat of black Sherwin Williams basecoat and topped with a thick coat of durable Sherwin Williams clearcoat. Under that high quality paint, an incredibly straight fuselage still hangs all its original panels and, with the exception of a thorough massage during its restoration, has lead a quiet, drama-free existence. Those massaged panels feature better than factory alignment and, when opened and closed, sound solid and function exceptionally well. That functional body's combination of excellent panel reflections and Kansas-flat surfaces suggest many labor intensive hours were likely spent blanketing every inch of its metal with top-notch finish work. And one close look at our high definition pictures will reveal a handsome payoff in the form of one of the best looking old school Chevrolets on the planet!

For the 1962 model year, the Bel Air sedan used a squared-off profile, a large wrap-around rear window and unique trim to distinguish itself from Chevrolet's working class Biscayne and top tier Impala models. And with its wet-look paint, swept greenhouse and super low stance this Bel Air brings new meaning to the words 'classy' and 'incredible'. At the front of the car, a body-width stainless grille hangs four modern tri-bar headlights between stainless “Chevrolet” branded hood trim and clear factory parking lights. Below that grille, a wrap-around chrome bumper, which displays a showroom quality shine, rides above a cool textured tag insert that's recessed into the middle of the front valence. At the sides of the car, straight stainless trim, chrome GM door handles and chrome, rear mounted “Bel Air” emblems act as small, well placed details which highlight clean, sculpted side panels. Above those panels, some of the coolest windows to ever come down a factory assembly line sit behind new stainless trim, deleted mirrors and deleted wiper arms. At the back of the car, four rocket inspired tail lights illuminate a second show worthy chrome bumper which features a second textured tag insert. And simple stainless trim highlights a W-shaped style line that completes a familiar rear valence.

Under this mighty Bel Air's sculpted hood you'll find a fully rebuilt 350 cubic inch small block V8 which has been bored .030 over and produces roughly 350 horsepower. And although that show-detailed mill may look small in the car's glossy black engine bay, it has no problem carrying this relatively lightweight full-size down the road just as fast as you want to go! At the top of the engine, a finned Moon Equipment air cleaner injects wind from a re-usable filter element into 93 octane dino juice that's supplied by an Edelbrock Endurashine carburetor. Below that carburetor, a chrome Edelbrock Performer EPS intake funnels a perfect air/fuel mixture into polished Edelbrock aluminum heads that are topped by finned Moon Equipment valve covers and detailed with finned breathers and polished caps. And behind that carburetor, a chrome covered coil sequences sparks through a Mallory points distributor and neatly loomed, high quality Moon Equipment plug wires. Cooling is provided by a heavy duty factory radiator that's equipped with fresh hoses, an electric puller fan, a billet overflow tank and a polished cap. Charging comes courtesy of a polished serpentine system which spins a chrome alternator above a chrome Tuff Stuff water pump and a chrome Tuff Stuff power steering pump. And spent gases are evacuated through a slick pair of ceramic coated block hugger headers into great sounding ceramic coated, mandrel bent exhaust pipes. This sweet Bel Air's engine bay is fully-sorted and displays a nice coat of jet black paint on its block, fenders and smoothed firewall. And small details like a recessed brake booster, a polished SSBC master cylinder, a chrome Moon Equipment temperature gauge and trick dipsticks add the kind of intricate detailing that draws fans and elicits compliments!

Behind the car's stout small block engine, a virtually unbreakable GM Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed transmission, which has been equipped with both a shift kit and a polished flywheel cover, sends power to a completely rebuilt factory rear end. Braking is handled by a GM-style power disc and drum set up which utilizes red calipers to squeeze drilled and slotted rotors up front and completely rebuilt drums to scrub off speed out back. And exhaust flows through ceramic coated, high flow mufflers to ceramic coated, mandrel bent pipes that are sawed off just before massive rear wheels. During the restoration, the car's original double A-arm front and three-link rear suspension was completely rebuilt and now features a 605 steering box, Air Ride Technologies tubular front control arms and Air Ride Technologies polished adjustable rear control arms. Above that suspension rust free floorpans, which have been augmented by a new left rear section and a new trunk pan, are covered in a thin coat of protective undercoating. And at the corners of that suspension, polished 18 inch front and 20 inch rear American Racing Torq Thrust IIs spin 225/40 front and 275/35 rear Nitto NT555 radials which look good and grip great. All lines, hoses, brackets and fasteners, which were completely replaced at the time of restoration, show little to no weathering. And everything from this Chevy's chrome oil filter cover to its new stainless fuel tank is detailed for show and ready to go!

Open this Chevy's rock solid doors and you'll find a fully restored interior that's been accented with enough custom trim to turn 'stalwart' into 'stylish'. The firm front bucket and rear bench seats are big, comfortable and feature tight faux leather covers which show no signs of wear at all. Below those seats new cut pile carpet, which isn't weathered or damaged in any way, props a custom faux leather console beneath a remote controlled Pioneer head unit. And at the sides of those seats, custom black kick panels hang large speakers and small tweeters in front of custom black door panels which feature a full array of billet door handles and billet window cranks. At the top of the car, a faux leather headliner looks so good it could've been stretched in at the factory. And at the front of the car a simple, satin black dash hangs a traditional horizontal speedometer above seamlessly integrated Moon Equipment accessory gauges, a heater delete and a radio delete. In front of the driver, a polished Lecarra steering wheel spins a black leather rim around a chrome Ididit tilt steering column, a full set of billet accessory stalks and a slick set of Lokar foot pedals. And behind the passengers, a custom package tray hangs two great sounding 6x9 speakers over a fully finished trunk that's equipped with both a hidden battery and a 1200 watt Power Acoustik amplifier.

Included with the sale of this clean Bel Air is a stack of receipts from its recent restoration and a certificate for its Rodders Rep Pick at the 2010 Goodguys street rod show.

This 1962 Chevrolet full-size is a top-notch car that's ready for years of endless showing and cruising. It's one of the last great no-nonsense, no-frills designs to come out of Detroit; and it's the kind of car that your family can enjoy for generations. Whether your interest lies in killer cruisers, classic good looks, or vintage Chevrolet style, this Bel Air has it all!