LOT 141

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Coupe Custom Chassis no. VC57L202686

Sold for US$66,080 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 141

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Coupe Custom

The Quail Auction|15 August 2025, 10:00 PDT|Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Coupe Custom
Chassis no. VC57L202686

383ci OHV V8 Engine (see text)
Edelbrock Pro-flow Electronic Fuel Injection (see text)
461hp at 6000rpm
4-Speed GM 700-R4 Overdrive Transmission (see text)
Independent Front suspensions and Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Wilwood Disc Brakes (see text)

*1950s classic with full custom rebuild
*Top of the line Edelbrock special, built by Ken 'Posies' Fenical
*Completed in 2001 and featured on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine
*Engine built by Robert Jung of Edelbrock
*Great driver and established crowd-pleaser
*Understood to have cost in excess of $400,000 to build

THE CAR OFFERED

When Vic Edelbrock Jr. desired a hot rod rendition of a 1950s classic to expand his collection of road-going cars, he turned to Posies Rods and Customs in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. Ken Fenical, better known as 'Posies', has been realizing hot rod trends since 1964. The chosen vehicle for an Edelbrock special, later known as 'Vic's Red Head', was this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

Edelbrock wanted a car that could be driven hard, was reliable and provided a substantive showcase for his high-performance systems and parts. The original engine was replaced by a Chevrolet small block built by Robert Jung of Edelbrock, with 383ci displacement and Edelbrock 3500 EFI intake manifold with Edelbrock plates, retainers and aluminum cylinder heads, producing 461 bhp at 6000 rpm. The MSD ignition was added with an Edelbrock controller, and the GM 700-R4 overdrive transmission was bolted to a custom chassis designed by Posies with a Ford 9-inch rear end. To rein in the mighty enthusiasm of the engine, 13- and 12.5-inch Wilwood disc brakes were installed to front and rear respectively.

Hosting this synthesis of high-performance systems is the Bel Air body, which naturally exudes the charisma of the period with a long elegant dipping beltline and exaggerated fins that demonstrate the heft and styling of the iconic 50s era. For Posies, the alchemy of the art is to retain basic styling traits while subtly modifying others to create an overall recognizable car but with superbly balanced and nuanced singularity. The top was chopped by 1¾ inches, and the hood, fender and quarter panels were modified. Honeycomb mesh was employed in the grille, turn signal and hood vents, door handles were shaved, and the gas filler cap relocated. The floor and fender wells were coated with Dynashield to deaden the roar of the upgraded motor and the dash was redesigned to host the multitude of VDO gauges. The Colorado custom steering wheel created the finishing touch to the resplendent two-tone grey leather interior crafted by Dick Gerwer Upholstery. Creature comforts include power steering, Vintage air conditioning and cruise control. The project was finished on May 18, 2001 in Edelbrock red with ghost flames, and appeared on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine in November of the same year.

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is a showcase for the best of Edelbrock offerings and an outstanding example of 1950s styling coupled with top-of-the-line performance gear. It is a show-stopper whenever it appears at promotional events, shows and on long distance tours - exactly as Vic Edelbrock intended.

Additional information

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