Readers Ride: 57′ Chevy Bel Air

I recently caught up with one of our Facebook friends, Skip Babin of Louisiana to discuss his sweet project car: A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Skip is a retired Chief Warrant Officer( Engineering) 20yrs USCG and a honorary member of the Golden Oldies Motor Club.

Photo:Skip Babin

Resto: Skip, where did you find the Chevy?

Skip: “I spotted it for sale at a car show a few years ago. The guy who owned it let his wife have the car. Apparently the car was built by previous owner and definitely not in show quality. Most of the work on it was half-assed and I have and will continue to work on it for better quality.”

Resto: What’s your history with classic cars?

Skip: “I love old cars and have had old cars & hot rods since I was old enough to drive. My first car was a 1952 Studebaker, second was another Studebaker, a 55’… and later I got a 58′ Impala.”

Resto: Who has done the work on the 57′ Chevy so far?

Skip: “I have done all the work since purchasing the car, including rubbing out the paint and 7 coats of west coast Fire Glaze (hand rubbed).

Resto:You have any advice for readers looking to tackle a project car?

Skip: “Yes, my advice is you better be ready to spend hours & hours under the hood and underneath the car. There’s no shortage of work to be done. You’ll need time and money.”

Photo:Skip Babin

Here get a peek at the 350 Vortec with high rise, good heads, 700 R, trans, N great rear end.  Skip says,”It pulls fairly good. Recently installed exhaust correctly with 2 1/2 from front to rear which helps tremendously. I figure to install headers & 3″ mufflers.”

Skip adds, “I’m In the process of shaving hood & decklid and installing a kill switch in the trunk. Also going for a black bucket seat interior with custom console from dash to rear seat this year.”

Photo:Skip Babin

Photo:Skip Babin

Starting @ front

1. 3″ Custom hood scoops
2.1958 Corvette grill with custom park lights
3.Chrome bullets on bumper
4. Heavy duty shocks.
5.Griffin radiator that’s been flushed
6.1999 350 Vortec engine with Edelbrock high rise & 4 Bbl carb
7.HEI ignition
8.100 Amp alternator
9.High flow water pump
10. Chrome master cylinder with chrome booster
11. New complete Flowmaster 2.5″ exhaust system
12. 700R Transmission with on frame oil cooler
13. Lokar S/S dip stick
14. Moved (new) battery to trunk with H/D multi strand wires
15. Mastercraft 225 X 75 X 15 tires mounted on Cragar S/S wheels

Photo:Skip Babin

INTERIOR

1. SunPro 10,000 RPM tachometer
2. J C Whitney at covers on original seats
3. Lokar floor shift with new carpet
4. JVC stereo with (4) Pioneer 60 watt amplified speakers

Photo:Skip Babin

Photo:Skip Babin

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