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December 16, 2021

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air – Silver


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Motor Trend magazine gave the Bel Air top marks for handling. Popular Mechanics reported acceleration for a V8 Bel Air with Powerglide as being 0-60 mph in 12.9 seconds, plus a comfortable ride and good visibility. On the other hand, the horn ring blocked some of the speedometer, regular gasoline made the engine knock and the first V8 engines off the line burned too much oil. A new option for V8-equipped 1955 models was air conditioning, with outlets on each side of the dashboard; a heavy-duty generator was included on cars equipped with this option; in 1955 and 1956, air conditioning could be installed on cars ordered with the standard three-speed manual transmission, overdrive or Powerglide, but from 1957 onward, an automatic transmission (or minus that, 4-speed manual transmission) was a pre-requisite option.

Before…

The client brought in this car to have it converted with an LS3 engine. It is in a rough place right now but we will be able to make it look like brand new again. Maybe even better then before!

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

During…

We began tearing down the car today, that’s the easy part. Watching them come apart is always something interesting to see. This is going to be a fun project!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The Bel Air is about to head out to the media blaster. When it comes back we will be able to how much work the body will need.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

This is the original upholstery that the car came with. The turquoise will become red and there might be a different pattern rather than the original pattern. The two chairs on the end aren’t the original seats but that is what the customer wants as the front seats.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Just got this back from the media blaster, as you can see in some of the pictures, there are some areas that have very thick body filler. We will have to take all the body filler off and replace the patch panels that are on there. There are also some rust spots that have eaten completely through the metal. 

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Got the Bel Air coated in epoxy except for the passenger and driver rear panels that will be replaced.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

This is a look at the new upholstery, a bright red! 

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Got the rear passenger quarter panel cut out to replace with new metal.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Driver seat is almost done, our upholstery department got the seat covered. Now it is time to get the buckle and belt to match and it will be a finished product.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

We have the replacement panel on and waiting for the tail light to come in so that we can finish welding this piece in. 

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Here are the rear body panels and arm rests. The interior is coming along, can’t wait to see the rear bench seat done.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Working on the drivers side rear panel. Getting it welded on and replacing the old rear panels since they had so much body filler.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Our upholstery department got the rear bench seat completed. We are proud of what our department can do.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The car is on the rotisserie so that the paint and body team can get the car done easier and faster. 

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Due to the old tail panel being badly rusted, we had to replace this piece with a new one.

Click on the pictures to see them bigger!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Body work is now done on the truck lid, going into the paint booth to get primed.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Got the body primered, soon the color will be put on the car.

Click on the pictures to see them bigger!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The trunk lid and doors have gotten primered and are ready for paint.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The frame arrived today! It looks magnificent, the frame will be heading to the powder coater.

Click on the pictures to see them bigger!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Got the polyurethane body mount bushings in and in the correct places.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The client bought a new smooth firewall, it has a four inch recess in order to make room for the new engine. We have cut out the old firewall and will be mocking up the new smooth one to be fitted in.

Click on the pictures to see them bigger!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Mock up of the body and frame to make sure they fit perfectly. Once they are sure they fit together the frame will go to the powder coater and the body will go back to the paint shop.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Needed to cut out transmission tunnel due to the old one not being in good condition. 

Click on the pictures to see them bigger!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The new transmission tunnel has replaced the old one due to it not being in good condition.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Just got the frame back from the powder coater and the engine mounted on the frame.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Fuel and brake lines have been connected on to the frame.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The body is back on the frame for the final mock up.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Interior parts have been primered.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The engine, third-member and drive shaft have been painted black cherry candy.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The engine has been installed on the frame. 

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Final mock up of the fenders and core support.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Installing the new vintage air system.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Working on getting the wiring harness in the correct places.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

We are expanding the dash down and adding the new air vents in the new portions of the dash.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The rear window and deck lid jams have been painted, along with the interior of the deck lid. You can see how it will look in the sun in the last picture.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The firewall and dash have been paint with custom tinted Pewter paint.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The body has been reinstalled on the frame.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Painted the door jams and inner fender well with custom tinted Pewter paint.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Installed the master cylinder.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The hood hinges have been installed.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Installed the core support.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Installed the gas and break pedals under the dash.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Installed the radiator condenser coil, air dryer, electrical wiring for fan and starter.  Integrating the wiring harness.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Shaved the antenna hole on passenger side fender.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Fitting the carpet to the floor pan.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Working on getting the dash back together.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Lining up the trim on the body before paint.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The roof has been painted.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The top of the rear fenders have been painted black cherry candy.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
The top of the rear fenders have been painted black cherry candy.

Look at that shine!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

We have installed the housing for the headlights.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

The hood ornament and one of the badges have been installed.

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

This console has been custom built per customer specifications.

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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

After…