Updated Americana - The Coolest Bel Air You'll See This Week

Updated Americana — The Coolest Bel Air You’ll See This Week

August 27, 2017

I feel like I’ve talked a lot about the Chevy Bel Air already this week, but there’s a reason why: they’re incredibly beautiful. First released back in 1949, the Bel Air is a classic bit of Americana, up there with the T-Bird and the Corvette as one of the most notable examples of 20th-century motoring. In this Youtube video, a restomodded 1956 Bel Air is taken for a test drive from Fast Classic Cars, in St. Charles, Missouri. In the original model, the biggest engine you’d have found under the sculpted hood would’ve been a 265ci small-block V8. Not a slouch, by any stretch, but this Bel Air’s been retrofitted with a 383 small-block stroker, almost half as big again as the original! The new engine’s also been linked up to a five-speed tranny. It’s had some convenience upgrades installed for the driver’s sake too, including AC and disc brakes.

Both inside and outside, however, the Chevy’s retained its vintage looks. It’s been given a coat of cardinal red paint with a white back end, and inside, new door panels have been made to factory specifications. New carpeting’s been fitted, as has a new column-mounted tachometer. When the accelerator’s depressed, the Bel Air’s new V8 lets out some extremely satisfying growls, sounding like an angry bear the driver’s just poked with a sharp stick. This is an almost perfect restomod. It’s taken an original Bel Air, which would be lacking power in today’s world, and updated it into a truly mean machine.

Battle of the Pony Cars: Camaro vs. Mustang

October 29, 2025

The battle between the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro is the biggest, most lasting rivalry in American car history. These two cars didn’t just…
Read more
The RM32 Ford Fastback Mustang Build Breakdown

October 24, 2025

The Ford Mustang: Historic Start The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic muscle cars in American history, capturing the imagination of car enthusiasts…
Read more
6 Things to Consider: Keep Your Classic Muscle Car Original or RestoMod it?

October 15, 2025

When tackling the big question that has become a debate on the internet: Is it better to keep your classic muscle car original or turn…
Read more

Show more articles

Become a Car Club Member

Car Club Members Get Entries to Win, Discounts in our Shop, Discounts with our Preferred Partners and more!

Membership benefits

By joining the RestoMods Car Club Today, you will receive amazing perks plus 15 bonus entries into our sweepstakes for every month you are an active member

Auto Discounts:Curated Discounts From Your Favorite Parts Companies
Restomods Monthly:Monthly Magazine With The Latest Industry News
Classified Ads:Get Free Postings seen by 300,000 enthusiasts monthly
Car Show Tickets:Check out the biggest vintage car shows on us.
Exclusive Car Deals:First chance to purchase any prize cars not selected