2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe – No Reserve
November 3, 2023
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
This custom 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air pays tribute to the movie “American Graffiti.” It is the recipient of a professional frame-off, nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration by a restoration shop in Southern California. This 5-year build is recently finished, with 28 miles since completion.
It is powered by a new Hilborn electronic fuel-injected 383ci stroker engine with eight polished velocity stacks. The engine details include a smoothed and painted block, polished Moon valve covers, custom polished stainless headers with a custom fuel system with return lines, MSD ignition and custom motor mounts. The powerplant is backed by a new 4-speed manual transmission with a polished and chromed case and bell housing, custom shifter, transmission mount, new clutch, flywheel and hardware.
This car is riding on a modified original frame with a chromed 9-inch rear end with 4.11 gears, 31-spline Dutchman axles, custom 4-link rear suspension, QA1 adjustable polished rear shocks and a chromed rear sway bar. Lots of the “Swiss Cheese gasser holes” were added to the frame, control arms, seat mount, hood and braces.
The paint and body are a single-stage high-gloss Tuxedo Black with smoothed front and rear bumpers and rear fenders, radius cut and flared for a factory look. It retains most of its original Bel Air trim and moldings; however, a few emblems were shaved for a streamlined finish. This all-steel car has new glass, a smoothed firewall, and smoothed and cutaway inner fenders.
The all-new custom black leather interior with red stitching includes a flush dash-mounted Moon tachometer, Classic Instruments gauges, a Classic steering wheel, Flaming River tilt column, Bluetooth stereo and a stock-appearing dash with Bel Air trim. Chrome features include accents throughout the interior, roll bar, door hinges, hood hinges and trunk hinges.
**VIN NOTICE: THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS A VIN THAT MAY – DEPENDING ON THE STATE OF REGISTRATION – REQUIRE THE BUYER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND BE SUBJECT TO A STATE-ISSUED VIN AND/OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS BY THE STATE**
Selling with No Reserve at the 2024 Scottsdale Auction, January 20-28, at WestWorld.