The Chevrolet Bel Air has become one of the most popular classic examples of Chevrolet machinery. First introduced in 1950, it remained in production until 1980 and was phased out in the 1981 model year. It is considered an icon of the 1950s, so classic examples are highly sought after. And this particular one will be as well. This is a 1955 Bel Air, with an LS3 E-Rod/4L65-E engine. Bill Martens, Chevrolet Performance Associate Marketing Manager, and Blake Nye, Design Release Engineer for Chevrolet Performance Parts, cover this custom build in a video before it goes under the hammer at Mecum's Glendale 2021.
Drool-Worthy 1955 Bel Air With LS3
This video has been uploaded to the Chevrolet Performance YouTube channel. Bill says this is a car that we could just drool all over. The body of this Bel Air is all original, Blake explaining that its stainless steel moldings have been repolished and repurposed, and GM design was tasked with updating the car's badges. The colors are flipped from what the car was originally painted in, and they are custom PPG colors. It still gives it a classic feel, while also adding a touch of the modern world to the car.
Custom Interior Retains Much Of The Original Character
The interior has been completely redone in custom colors. However, some of the original colors have been retained, from the convertible version of the Bel Air. It has a new steering wheel but the bench seat has been retained, giving it that vintage feel. It’s a very classy restoration that, stepping inside, makes you feel as if you are in a fully original Bel Air interior. Also worth a mention are the E-Rod logos on the wheel, and the sides of the car. However, under the hood is probably where the biggest changes have taken place.
The E-Rod Has Received An Emissions-Friendly Engine And Corvette Brakes
Bill explains that the Bel Air was always known as the E-Rod, and Blake then takes us through its engine. It is an LS3 E-Rod engine, which means it has all the catalytic converters to make it an emissions legal motor. It’s a very impressive rebuild.
Aside from the engine, the Bel Air has received two-inch drop spindles in the front, with C4 Corvette brakes and rotors all the way around the car and, in a very nice touch, Gen 5 Camaro steel wheels. This is a very tastefully done restomod, retaining as much of the original character as possible while adding a few modern features to make it more useable in 2021 and beyond.
Source: YouTube