SUMMARY

Restoration completed in early 2014
GM 5.7 liter LS1 V8
GM 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission
Custom leather interior / Vintage Air conditioning
Heidts suspension / Ridetech air ride
Bel Air Classic chassis / 18-inch Billet Specialties wheels
Narrowed 12-bolt rear axle / Posi-traction differential / 3.73 gears
Power rack-and-pinion steering / Wilwood 4-wheel power disc brakes
DuPont ChromaPremier Super Black paint / Black cloth top
Modern audio

As the old saying goes: in life, nly three things are guaranteed death, axes and Bel Airs at classic car events. At least, hat's how the saying goes in OUR octane-fueled world. Of course, hat list is a little unfair to tri-fives because, nlike death and taxes, ld school Chevys are a lot of fun. And this award-winning drop-top, ith its smooth LS1, aint shop-fresh restoration and thoroughly modern mechanicals, lends an array of custom, river-friendly attributes into a fully sorted resto-mod that virtually anyone can enjoy!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Sure, uPont ChromaPremier wasn't on the Chevy color chart back in 1956, ut a slick coat of Super Black certainly looks the part on this awesome Bel Air. Thanks to their killer curves, hese cars really lend themselves to modern 2-stage. And this classic's remarkable pigment works well with a tight, ower top to freshen clean and timeless aesthetics. The car's bodywork, ompleted over seven years by Roger's Body Shop of Pearisburg, irginia, resents great, ith straight panels and even gaps framing doors that snap closed with precision. Finished in early 2014, hat precision shows in a way that'll put most traditional pavement pounders to shame. Nothing has been chopped, hanneled or frenched, hich is always a smart choice on these cars. And, y allowing the car's mostly original body to speak for itself, he builders created a solid, o-gimmick classic that dazzles via merit and execution.

Despite a relatively updated appearance, his bowtie's finishing pieces look so natural they could be mistaken for factory-spec. At the front of the car, guarded bumper protects modern headlights, fiberglass apron, lear parking lamps and a stainless grille. At the top of that grille, chrome-trimmed hood leads the eye to smoked glass that's founded in highly polished frames and capped Rain Gear wipers. At the base of that glass, onochromatic trim spears and shaved quarter emblems give way to a polished driver's mirror, hrome door handles and straight rocker guards. And at the back of the car, custom, -piece bumper rides beneath traditional tail lamps and polished trunk trim that doubles as a small Center High Mount Stop Lamp.

ENGINE

If you think the exterior of this classic is impressive, ou're going to LOVE what's under its hood! Cranking out ample horsepower, his Bel Air's lightweight, igh performance LS1 is widely regarded as one of the best small blocks ever produced. Donated by a 1999 Camaro, t combines a sturdy aluminum block with lightweight aluminum heads, Chevrolet Performance Hot Cam and aluminum flat top pistons to create razor-sharp throttle response and lightning quick acceleration. At the front of the mill, Vintage Air Front Runner system spins a rebuilt alternator and fresh AC compressor at the sides of a polished, LS1" branded air filter. Once air enters that filter, t flows through a factory throttle body in to a factory-spec intake, hich is bolted down over mostly stock internals. High-octane fossils are provided by GM electronic fuel injection. Sparks are sequenced from a Street & Performance wiring harness to high performance plug wires. Spent gases exit through coated Street & Performance headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a polished aluminum radiator that rides between two large puller fans and a Vintage Cooling Systems support. Visually, ot a detail was missed under this Chevy's Super Black bonnet. Niceties such as polished valve covers, Wilwood master cylinder, rick dipsticks and a custom cowl provide just the right amount of flash to give the engine a clean, inished look. And the vicious small block fires right up, dles perfectly and accelerates like a modern sports car!

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Structurally, he '56 Chevrolet is an extremely versatile platform that can accept a wide variety of enhancements. And one look under this Bel Air provides a glimpse of how a few modifications can make a big difference. The car's glossy Bel Air Classic chassis rides opposite a fully finished, -piece floorpan and custom mini tubs. Behind the hot small block, Camaro-sourced 4L60E automatic easily torques a narrowed 12-bolt, hich spins a posi-traction differential around 3.73 gears and fresh Moser axles. At the front of the car, tainless Heidts control arms and proven Ridetech air shocks frame power rack-and-pinion steering. At the back of the car, stainless Heidts 4-bar leads two more Ridetech air shocks. Stops come courtesy of Wilwood 4 and 6-piston calipers, hich squeeze four drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust is handled by polished, andrel-bent pipes, hich utilize polished Kooks mufflers to create an awesome chorus of sound. Grip is provided by stylish Billet Specialties wheels, hich spin 245/40ZR18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/As in front of 335/30ZR18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/As. And everything, rom the car's Wilwood proportioning valve to its Rock Valley fuel tank, ppears purpose-built to tackle the asphalt.

INTERIOR

There's no shortage of tri-fives with custom interiors. But this cockpit, igh-dollar leather installed by Roanoke, irginia's Horne's Upholstery, s certainly a stand out. With Vintage Air conditioning, ower windows and a powerful Clarion CD player, ll the modern conveniences are present and accounted for. One of the best additions to the cabin is a fresh quartet of bucket seats, ll of which are based on modern bones. In front of those seats, padded, illet-trimmed dash frames clean Dakota Digital VHX telemetry. At the sides of that dash, culpted door panels hang chrome hardware over custom kick panels and big Nakamichi speakers. Beneath those speakers, ight California Carpet floats color-keyed floor mats around billet foot pedals, small Hurst shifter and a lit, ull-length console. In front of the driver, painted, ilting column spins a painted, educed-diameter wheel. And behind the passengers, fully finished trunk provides a perfect place to display trophies.

AWARDS

Speaking of trophies, his Chevy is certainly privy to golden accolades. Here's a list of the major awards bestowed since the car's recent restoration.

Top 25 at the 2014 Pigeon Forge Rod Run
Show-Class Outstanding at the 2014 Bristol Super Chevy Show
Best Tri-Five at the 2014 Bristol Super Chevy Show

To borrow a quote from Ed Cole, ormer Chevrolet Chief Engineer: "We got a big kick out of designing this new Chevrolet, nd you will get an even bigger one out of driving it." Fun was, nd is, n inherent part of building or driving any tri-five Chevy. And, ith its impressive engine, omfortable interior and relentless style, his slick '56 is sure to be a blast! If you're ready to own a classic that can truly do it all, ire up your phone, lear some garage space and claim this awesome resto-mod!