This Custom 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Has a All Aluminum ZL1

1962 Chevrolet Impala bel air Description

This Custom 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Has a All Aluminum 510-Horse ZL1 Under the Hood

With its brilliant yet subtle hue and rare crate engine under the hood, This 1962 Bel Air has as much brawn as beauty.

“The Legend,” Used to describe this rolling creation. The Bel Air was primarily built by Greening Auto Company.

While not exceedingly low, the static suspension sits uniformly over the rollers. The custom-made Budnik rims measure 18x8 fore and 20x10 aft. The rubber meets the road with Dunlop Sport 9000 series tires. These slightly sticky meats ensure the car doesn’t break traction every time the aftermarket powerplant stomps its feet and rears its ugly horns, sending tarmac-curdling torque through the six-speed tranny and Winters quick-change rearend and huge 6 piston 4 wheel power disc brakes supplied by BAER.

Grant Salter of Greening Auto Company noted that replacing the X-frame with a custom-built square, tube-frame perimeter chassis turned out to be one of the most challenging parts of the build, requiring extensive measuring and remeasuring and some intricate welding. Once in place though, it made for the perfect platform for Hotchkis control arms, springs, and sway bars. The addition of Camaro spindles ensures this former cruiser can handle the additional power from the crate engine and have its center of gravity a little more south.

That engine is number 81 of only 200 ZL-454s that GM ever built. The “Ram Jet” as it is known, is based on the legendary all-aluminum ZL1 first introduced in 1969 in a limited number of Corvettes and Camaros. The newer version has some modern updates such as improved main webs and provisions for a roller cam and, of course, fuel injection. The crate engine produces 510 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 493 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The engine, with its 10.2:1 compression ratio, runs on 93 octane and comes with a preprogrammed ECM computer and wiring harness.

Sanderson headers and Comp Cams valve covers make this crate engine just a little more custom than the rest while a 3-inch custom exhaust and Flowmaster mufflers help propel the nasty gasses from the headers.

One thing that sets this Bow Tie apart from the rest is the color. This is a burnt orange Glasurit hue from a Nissan 350Z and it has been applied unsparingly by Greening, four coats to be precise. Custom door handles and tucked-in front and back bumpers are just a few of the body modifications that help this Bel Air achieve show-killing status. A modern, softer touch is achieved by a satin coat on many of the chrome parts.

Custom bucket seats in the front with matching split-bottom seats in the back have been expertly covered in charcoal-gray leather by designer Paul Atkins. The dash consists of a handmade gauge cluster with Classic Instruments inserts. Hidden in said dash is a Pioneer head unit as well as Vintage Air heat and A/C controls. Sculpted door panels and a full-length center console add to the rich, majestic, almost futuristic, feel of the cabin.

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