Words: Tommy Parry Photos: Billy
Billy’s Bel Air build began with one of those eBay steals you find at 4:00 AM on a Tuesday. Once the ‘54 Bel Air was shipped to Long Island, Billy stood beside his new Chevy and admired the bodywork. The top had already been chopped 3” and the rear window re-angled. It looked stunning from the start, and thankfully there was hardly any damage from the elements.
After a closer inspection, Billy found only one spot of rust on the right rear door. With the body in good shape, he turned his attention to the drivetrain. A stout, 500ci motor from a ‘75 Caddy sent power through a three-speed Turbo 400. Though it was problematic and would eventually be replaced, a Dana 35 rear end adorned the rear axle.
So, there was a strong foundation to build upon. Billy went to work on trimming up a few loose ends - including a new driveshaft, as well as new brake lines and gas lines. Billy then gutted the interior, leaving only the window trim.
With the help of his talented father, Billy removed the lights and frenched the buckets front and rear. After fabbing up a couple headlight rings, they attached the front bumper. After pulling the corroded lines for the fuel, transmission and oil pressure gauge, he replaced them with one-piece steel lines. A few pesky holes in the firewall needed some plugging after that.
Billy gave the bumpers a makeover, smoothing them, pulling the bolt heads and filling the seams for a artsy, simplistic look. Lots of sanding, rolling and molding were needed before Billy could transform the weathered, seafoam green exterior into something primered and pretty.
The interior was patched, primered, weatherstripped and then topped with a coat of satin black. With a proper platform, Billy bolted on the dash and coated it in warm beer paint with a warm beer sparkle. He then hewed an original chrome center bar to top of the aesthetic mods to the interior.
Unfortunately, it took a good five months from fitting those large lips to chroming the teeth between them. He eventually found a shop willing to chrome each “tooth” for a mere $40, so he didn’t break the bank. Perhaps when a shop is willing to do that job at a bargain rate, they’re just as willing to put that job on the back burner. Who knows?
When Billy ran into problems, his father was back on the scene to lend a skilled hand. After having problems with the fuel-sending unit in the tank, he bought two replacement units with the same dismal result. To relieve him of his problems, Billy’s father stepped in with a $400 Corvette NOS-sending unit and modifying it for the occasion.
Well, the Bel Air ran flawlessly for months and turned heads at many a car show. However, Billy wanted a slinkier stance, and sought for one on the internet. When he found a Fat Man Ultra-Low Mustang II and a four-link for the rear, he knew it was the right way to lay frame. He threw on a few cups where it matters and pulled the stock K-member. With an 8.5-gallon air tank feeding four manifolds and powered by two Air Zenith compressors, he’d have what he needed to give his Bel Air the definitively dumped stance.
Aesthetically, the car was flawless. The only tweak Billy wanted to make was to the motor - some added cooling and a bit more power. Two 16” fans with a custom frame were bolted to the front radiator support and, predictably, the temperature dropped “like a rock.” That’s not too surprising when they’re pushing 4,500 cfm of air.
Billy wanted a little more grunt from the Caddy powerplant, and went with a new intake, carburetor and conventionally-mounted ignition to replace the old MSD unit.
A set of polished hubcaps from a ‘57 Caddy completed the package, and like a cherry on top of a matte-black sundae, Billy had one of the meanest Bel Airs around.
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