Wild ’57 Was Definitely Worth The Wait.
The car—the deep red Bel Air hardtop featured here—had been owned by a car collector and was being sold at an estate auction. It was mostly stock, and the body was in excellent condition, repainted (poorly) at some point in its past. b
The stock drivetrain was operational enough for Dean to drive the car home, with his 5-year-old son, Zach, along to share the first ride.
How Would You Build A ’57 Chevy Bel Air?
That’s the million-dollar question. The consistent popularity of 1957 Chevys is due to the iconic design. Even though their style is anchored in the ’50s, somehow they have managed to last almost 65 years without ever looking out of date. And very few other cars lend themselves so well to so many build styles—street rod, Pro Streeter, Gasser, custom, cruiser, restomod, or stocker.
It’s virtually impossible to build one in a way that isn’t great. So when Dean was ready to treat this one to a professional rebuild, he went around and around trying to decide whether to keep it stock or treat it to some mild mods. “I wanted the car to be something that would drive well and be fun, whether it was every day or a Sunday drive around the lake.”
Body And Paint Modifications
Dean had no intention of radically altering the classic style of his ’57. That meant retaining the majority of stainless steel brightwork and no reshaping the sheetmetal. “We made simple and subtle changes to keep the timeless 1957 Chevy look,” Dean said.
The custom color is called “whiskey and wine,” and it shifts from burgundy to a reddish copper color depending on the light.
Choosing Wheels & Tires
Next to paint color, wheel and tire choice has the biggest effect on establishing the personality of a hot rod. Dagger wheels from Billet Specialties suit the car perfectly. The 18-inch five-spokes, paired with lower-profile tires, bring the timeless style up to date.
Supercharged Chevy Power
As you’d expect, Dean’s Chevy runs under the power of a modern Bow Tie engine. “The was made to go with a Chevrolet Performance LSA 6.2L SC setup,” he told us. The Eaton TVS supercharged cast aluminum small-block with aluminum L92 style heads is the engine used in the fifth-generation Camaro ZL1 and is rated at 556 horsepower.
It was roughly 20 years between his initial ride with his 5-year-old son and his first ride in the completely rebuilt Bel Air. Was it worth the wait? Definitely, Dean says. “We got the car exactly the way we wanted it.”
