Known as Chrome Blues, this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible has been extensively modified by Snodgrass Chevy Restoration to be a complete one-of-a-kind custom. With roughly 8,000 hours in the build, it has a number of unique, one-off, custom-built components setting it apart from many others. Resting on a Roadster Shop chassis with Baer 4-wheel disc brakes complete with color-matched calipers, it’s also fitted with a custom panhard bar and trailing arms. The frame welds were removed, and the fuel lines, transmission lines and battery cables were all routed through the frame rails for an ultra-clean look; the floor braces were filled, the floor pan seams were sealed, and the body bolt frame mounts have been hidden, just to name a few highlights. The Chevrolet LS3 V-8 engine has been well dressed with custom engine covers painted to match the body. Even the radiator hoses are custom to Chrome Blues. Custom dipsticks have been fashioned, and a number of polished components create a remarkably one-of-a-kind engine and engine bay, which has been fully smoothed from the firewall to the fender aprons to the custom radiator support, which is adorned with an LED- backlit nameplate. The chrome exhaust system was hand-built and features a custom center tip and matches the numerous other chrome chassis components. The engine is backed by a 4L60E automatic transmission. Finished in Twisted Pearl Blue, the body is rife with custom touches, such as the custom rocker panels and wheelhouses which remove the pinch welds; a custom splash pan that’s been shortened 3 inches; welded-on fenders; a narrowed front bumper with shortened ends and custom molded fender extensions; a shortened rear bumper with a wagon center section; a custom- built grille shell with a one-piece grille molding; custom side moldings; a custom gas door and bezel; Frenched radio antenna with a custom bezel and custom tail light assemblies among other nuances, making this a true one-of-a-kind. The fully customized tan interior is no less remarkable than the rest of the car, with leather upholstery, a leather convertible top with a suede headliner, power adjustable bucket seats with lumbar support, a custom center console with a custom shifter and lighted switch bezels, custom leather-wrapped removable dash and lower dash panels, a Pioneer touchscreen stereo system, an Ididit tilt steering column and much more. Even the trunk matches and is complete with an infinity light display. Dakota Digital gauges, power windows and Vintage Air with a heater further move this 1955 Bel Air into the New Millennium. Rolling on Billet Specialties chrome wheels with low-profile tires, this Bel Air has been selected for the upcoming 2023 Top 25 Builders Showcase at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and has already won a number of awards along with inclusion in the Great Eight at the 2023 Detroit Autorama and Judge’s Choice at the 2023 Festival of Speed in Ocala, Florida. While it’s taken a number of honors, the awards are not included in the sale of the car.
