1961 Chevrolet Bel Air
1961
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Transmission:
5-speed manual
Cylinders:
8
Auction Estimate:
$100,000 - $120,000
VIN:
11637J168325
Description
This gorgeous 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air Bubbletop Custom is the ultimate nostalgic Resto-Mod with its Merlin aluminum dual quad 540/650HP V8, Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission, Ford 9” POSI rear end and SSBC four-wheel disc brakes. This car looks like an era-correct hot rod from the 60’s but is loaded with custom features throughout. This is a very unique body style, especially when compared to the commonly seen Bel Air Tri-Five models. As the original VIN tag indicates…
This gorgeous 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air Bubbletop Custom is the ultimate nostalgic Resto-Mod with its Merlin aluminum dual quad 540/650HP V8, Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission, Ford 9” POSI rear end and SSBC four-wheel disc brakes. This car looks like an era-correct hot rod from the 60’s but is loaded with custom features throughout. This is a very unique body style, especially when compared to the commonly seen Bel Air Tri-Five models. As the original VIN tag indicates this car was built in Janesville, MI, as a 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door sport coupe with an 8-cylinder engine. As the original trim tag indicates it left the factory with a Sea Foam Green exterior and Green interior. The car was purchased by a gentleman in California as a very nice original automobile. He started a meticulous nut and bolt rotisserie restoration in 2013 and completed it in 2014. Since completion it only has been driven 335 miles. A new binder with tons of receipts and some restoration photos are included. He spared no expense on this build as the receipts indicate. The engine alone was over $25,000 as documented. This car is in show quality condition from top to bottom and has achieved a “Best in Show” award which is included. This car retains most of its original sheet metal and the body is straight with better then factory gap lines. The hood, doors and trunk close very nicely. The car was refinished in its original color of Sea Foam Green, which dresses it well. The paint has recently been detailed to a brilliant shine. The front windshield is new and the remaining glass is in very nice condition. Everything on the exterior has been restored or replaced such as the glass stainless trim, wiper arms, driver’s side mirror with Chevrolet logo, front grille with Chevrolet cross flags emblem, headlight bezels, four Sylvania halogen headlights, front bumper, door handles, rear taillight bezels and lenses, rear bumper and emblems. The car has a killer stance on painted 15” Smoothie wheels with chrome Rally center caps. The front wheels are 15×6 and the rear wheels are 15×8. The wheels are wrapped with BF Goodrich Silver Town Radial Redline tires that are 215-70-15 on the front and 235-70-15 on the rear. The fabulous interior of this car was completely restored and complements the exterior perfectly. The interior trim was professionally installed by Cottonwood upholstery in California. It’s very spacious and comfortable, especially with the front bench seat. The headliner and sun visors match the exterior color. The dash, steering column and steering wheel were painted a darker shade of green. The door panels and seats were reupholstered in a medium shade of green along with three colorful stripes. The Bel Air emblems on the dash and door panels add the extra touch of class. Everything in the interior has been restored or replaced such as the rear view mirror, speedometer, dash knobs, door handles, window cranks, door sills and carpeting. Some of the interior custom features include a blue dome light bulb, Stewart Warner gauges and RPM tachometer, black billet shifter, Mr. G gasket rubber boot, American Powertrain shift knob, custom carpeted front floor mats and a set of factory style rubber floor mats are included. The trunk compartment was restored and finished with the correct style paint. It has factory style trunks mats and a full size spare tire. The engine compartment is nicely detailed throughout with many upgrades. The firewall was painted Sea Foam Green and the rest was painted in satin black. The car is powered by a Merlin aluminum 540 V8 with an estimated 650HP that runs excellent. The engine block was ordered from well-known Bill Mitchell Products and the parts were ordered from well-known Shafiroff Race Engines. The engine was assembled by well-known Wood and Sons Drag Racing in California. The engine was built with the best of parts internally and externally. It’s equipped with Edelbrock Performer RPM 409 aluminum heads, LWA 690 Custom intake, custom pulleys, dual Quick Fuel Q-series carburetors and black custom air cleaner, black Chevrolet valve covers, Moroso crank case breathers, MSD programmable ignition system, Taylor Pro Race 490 wires, Holley HP billet fuel pump, Edelbrock Victor Series aluminum water pump, and custom hoses. The engine is cooled by an aluminum radiator with Flex-a-lite electric fan and billet overfill canister. The engine breathes through Sanderson ceramic headers and a custom 3” exhaust system with Performance Turbo mufflers that sounds awesome. Some other upgrades include a billet clutch reservoir, Wilwood master cylinder and Optima yellow top battery that was painted black. The engine is coupled to a new Tremec TKO 600 5-speed manual transmission with G-Force flywheel and high performance clutch that is easy to operate. The power is transferred to the new narrowed Ford 9” POSI rear end with Moser axles and 389 gears. The undercarriage is also nicely detailed throughout with many upgrades throughout. This undercarriage is nice enough to display with mirrors at a car show. The underside was painted body color with textured material for durability. The steering system, suspension system and braking system was completely gone through. Some upgrades include the front and rear sway bar, rear QA1 double adjustable trailering arms and SSBC four-wheel disc brakes. This vehicle has been completely serviced and detailed which is documented with an invoice that is included. This vehicle is sold with a clean title. From the MS CLASSIC CARS collection.
1961 Chevrolet Bel Air
Lot #:
083
Auction Estimate:
$100,000 - $120,000
Sold For:
PASSED
Year:
1961
Make:
Chevrolet
Model:
Bel Air
Body Style:
2-Door
VIN:
11637J168325
Mileage:
335
Exterior Color:
Green
Interior Color:
Green
Cylinders:
8
Engine Size:
540 ci
Transmission:
5-speed manual
Consignor Ratings*
Engine:
Excellent
Body:
Excellent
Chassis/Frame:
Excellent
Tires:
Excellent
Coachwork/Interior:
Excellent
Electrical:
Excellent
Transmission:
Excellent
Paint:
Excellent
Overall Condition:
Excellent
*The following ratings were provided by the consignor, based on a scale of ‘Poor’, ‘Fair’, ‘Good’, ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’. (Excellent = 100% restored)
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