There is a cost to true craftsmanship, and the 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air being offered here from the Brewis Estate had truly no expense spared when it was created, with the total in receipts for this car reaching $600,000. This classic, known as “Lonnie,” is a custom build by East Coast Muscle Cars, making use of carefully massaged styling cues on what was the premium Chevrolet hardtop release for that model year. As most aficionados know, this was the second season of the “Tri-Five” era, but the engineers in Detroit would have been hard-pressed to even dream what this final combination has resulted in. For instance, underneath the hood is a 454 CI LSX V-8 engine. Built by RaceKrafters, the highlights here include the Inglese 8-stack injection system, polished accessories, custom smoothed firewall, ribbed inner fender panels, chromed headers, upgraded cooling accessories and billet hood hinges, all cleanly set into the engine bay. This is backed by a 6-speed manual transmission and a Halibrand-type quick change rear end, with 4-wheel disc brakes added as well. The exterior is richly covered in custom Axalta Red Ice paint, highlighted by chrome trimlines and a custom grille insert, neither of which erase the car’s origins. Designed and executed by Bux Customs, the matching red leather interior features thick upholstery, a digital dash layout, tachometer, a Hurst floor shifter, custom center console between the bucket seats, a custom, leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome Bugatti centerpiece and Vintage Air. Custom- fitted bumpers, special tail lamp lenses, smoothed body lines and other refinements complete the body itself, while the car rides on Foose alloy wheels and low-profile tires. In previous show appearances, Lonnie took home the Judge's Top Gun Award at Chevy VetteFest in 2015, Judge's Choice Award Best Restoration and 1st Place in Boca Raton that same year, and the Participant's Choice at Valley Forge Harley-Davidson in 2013. If you desire the best, look carefully at this opportunity, as there is a level of subtle premium quality here that is rarely seen.
