5.3L Vortec-Powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Roadster Conversion

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air was modified into a roadster and is said to have been subsequently used as a show car for Clarion Audio at the CES trade show in Las Vegas in 2001 and 2002. The current owner acquired the car in 2019, and a fuel-injected 5.3-liter Vortec V8 was installed in 2023. Additional equipment includes a three-speed automatic transmission, a 9″ rear end with a limited-slip differential, 20″ Budnik Fontana wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, air ride suspension, a Bluetooth stereo, a full-length center console, and front and rear bucket seats. This Bel Air convertible is now offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner with partial service records and a clean Nevada title in the owner's name.

Per the seller, the car was modified from a coupe to a roadster around 2000. Work included removing the roof, chopping the windshield, and shaving the door handles before it was refinished in blue with ghost flames on the front and sides. Additional details include twin wind splits, hooded headlights, back-up lights, faux front-fender exhaust outlets, a fuel filler concealed above the left taillight, and chrome bumpers and trim. Paint imperfections are shown up close in the gallery.

The 20″ Budnik Fontana wheels are mounted with 245/40 Yokohama tires up front and 275/45 Goodyear tires out back. The seller tells us that the suspension has been modified with Heidt 2″ drop spindles and tubular A-arms up front along an with air ride suspension system and four-wheel disc brakes with Baer calipers at the front. The seller tells us that the Air Ride suspension is not functional.

Glide Industries bucket seats are upholstered in gray leather, and interior appointments include a full-length center console, power-adjustable front seats, a B&M shifter, lap belts, floor mats, and vent windows. Front and rear 7″ LCD screens are fitted for the passengers. Bluetooth connectivity for the stereo was added in 2023.

Clarion stereo equipment is housed in the trunk and includes:

AM/FM/CD player
Six-disc DVD/CD/MP3 changer
7″ LCD color monitor
Source Commander multi-zone AV switcher
VHS Hi-FI VCR
10″ Subwoofers
2.1-channel amplifiers
5.3L Vortec-Powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Roadster Conversion

The four-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of Dakota Digital readouts. The digital odometer shows 1,300 miles, approximately 500 of which were added under current ownership.

The 5.3-liter Vortec V8 was installed in 2023 and is fitted with a dual-throttle body Holley fuel-injection system, a tunnel-ram intake manifold, a Holley oil pan, a performance oil pump, an aluminum radiator, a billet accessory drive kit, tubular headers, and fabricated engine mounts.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end that is said to have been sourced from a Lincoln Versailles and fitted with a limited-slip differential and 4.11:1 gears. The transmission was resealed under current ownership. The seller tells us that the frame was reinforced during the roadster conversion.