Chevrolet Bel Air

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Fresh Chevy from Bel Air

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

I love the American classics, even if it is hard to explain why. One doesn’t buy a Mustang or Charger for their handling capabilities, or for the speed – we all agree on that. If a car enthusiast looked for a great driving experience they might consider a Lotus Elise; if it’d be comfort they desired, they’d go for a Mercedes Benz, but American cars, what good are they?!

Well, it might sound ridiculous, but I’d say American cars have that special aura, call it a “soul” if you wish. Do you believe cars have souls? Do they have their story? Well, John Carpenter did when he shot the movie “Christine” and so did H.B. Halicki with the “Gone in 60”. Call me mad, but I do believe there certainly is a connection between the car and the owner… not if you drive a Ford Ka or Fiat Multipla Fe that is.

If one has never experienced the thrill of a classic car, it will be hard to understand what I’m describing here. It is easy to jump into a brand new Focus RS or BMW M3 and go for a blast, but seriously, get in a classic Mustang and take it for a drive. Spend a day with an American classic and suddenly you’ll realise all the classic values are not applicable anymore. The speed, the cornering capabilities or the 0-60 times are worthless. It is the smell of the leather seats, the noise of the glamorous v8, the road and the drive – that’s what matters.

It seems Mike would agree with me; why else he’d have a garage full of beautiful American cars (apart from the fact he also owns the Star Car Hire car rental company). So when Mike rang me and asked to do a shoot of the recently purchased Bel Air, I was overwhelmed and happy to be able to capture another classic American icon.

The American beauty - Chevrolet Bel Air was produced by the General Motors between 1950-1981. The model was so popular people it survived for eight generations, when it got finally replaced by the Chevrolet Impala. Mike’s 1957 second generation model is a four door hardtop; however, the Bel Air also was offered in the two door hardtop or convertible specifications. The distinctive body design of the Bel Air, described as a convertible with a non-detachable roof, soon became the fashion trend of the 1950s earning its place in the most popular American classic list.

We were blessed with a California-like weather on the day of the shoot giving us a nearly perfect setting to make the car look at home.

After a beautiful drive on the coast and some stops it was all going perfect, until our photoshoot was destined for a bit of “Christine” drama. The car left us stranded in the middle of the nowhere following some fuel issues at pitch black with no phone signal. Luckily we got rescued in the end and I was able to return for the second part of the shoot; it was only fair that I settled for a more dramatic setting this time, replicating the classic horror movie theme.

Mike’s Bel Air left the factory in 1957 during the last year of production of the second generation model, 1955-1957 years also were known better as the famous Tri-Chevy period. Finished in the best colour available it looks truly magnificent with the upgrades it has received over the years! The traditional front bumper was replaced in favour of the very rare California spec one piece front bumper while the rear was re-chromed for a fresher look. Any excess parts were shaved to give it the smoother body lines.

Mike’s Bel Air has heavy duty front coil springs and heavy duty 5 leaf rear springs, whilst the beautiful American Racing Torq Thrust D wheels are dressed in the BF Goodrich tires.

The heart of the car is the 265cu V8 upgraded with the Edelbrock aluminum intake and 4 barrel carburettor with an electric choke. To help with the audio a custom aluminized dual exhaust system with chrome “pencil tip” exhaust tips has been installed.

The interior of the car is as magnificent as it the exterior. The Bel Air has been treated to a full white marine vinyl upgrade that has been matched with white door armrests and contrasting black Bel Air carpets. The stainless retro details go well along the beautiful modern Autometer gauges. In the front a custom centre console with drink holders has been installed. The standard radio and clock is still present but no longer in use as a more modern Sony CD player and set of speakers and amp has been installed.

With the futuristic design and charisma Bel Air is certainly another American classic that will entertain anybody that gets a drive in one. If you want to have the chance of being in one contact Mike and Star Car Hire (www.starcarhire.co.uk).

SPEC LIST:

1957 Chevy Belair 4door hardtop

Body

California spec one piece front bumper

Re-chromed rear bumper

Third brake light integrated on licence plate frame

New front and rear floors

New trunk floor

Replaced trunk, new trunk lid insulation

Licence plate mount shaved

Rear handles shaved

Antenna hole shaved from right front fender

Aluminium quarter panel inserts with Bel Air logo

Wheels

American Racing Torq Thrust D wheels

BF Goodrich TA Tires

Suspension / Brakes

Heavy Duty front coil springs

Heavy duty 5 leaf rear springs

Rear spring hangers

Fat Man Fabrications upper tubular A-arms

Aftermarket front Sway Bar

Dropped front spindles

Aftermarket rack and pinion power steering with shortened steering arms

Tie Rod ends

Rear Shock mount crossmember

Master Power front disk brake kit

Summit vaccum canister

Drivetrain

350 Chevy Automatic Transmission with a new shift kit

Chevy 10 bolt rear

Auburn limited slip differential

Chrome cover

Custom driveshaft

CCI shift linkage

CCI transmission cross mount

Torque converter

Mechanical trans kick-down

CCI hard line fuel feed to the fuel pump

Engine

1977 Corvette 350 2-bolt engine Engine Block

Edelbrock aluminium intake

Holley fuel pump with pressure regulator

Braided fuel lines

Edelbrock 4 barrel carb with electric choke

Jet-Hot coated Hooker headers

Weiland Water Pump

Weiland Thermostat

Weiland Radiator Hoses

Griffon aluminium radiator

Mallory coil & plug wires

Chevy chrome air cleaner and valve covers

Chrome Powermaster single wire alternator

Custom aluminized dual exhaust system

Chrome “pencil tip” exhaust tips

Interior

Custom white marine vinyl

Custom red under steering column cover

Stainless interior door trim

White door armrests

Chrome door and window crank handles

Moon steering wheel

Autometer gauges

Oil idiot light converted to high beam indicator

Custom centre console with drink holders

Chevy radio delete cover

Aluminium dash trim (from the convertible model)

Chrome visor pivots

Black Bel Air carpet

Firewall pad connectors

Dynamat and insulation padding

Audio

Sony CD Player

Alpine rear 6X9 speakers

MTX amplifier