Home-Built Hero: '56 Bel Air Goes From Basket-Case To Show Stopper

It’s hard to go wrong with a Tri-Five Chevy, especially a ’56 Bel Air. This one caught our eye with its custom look and deep silver paint. The door handles and emblems have all been tastefully removed, and the hood ornament is gone, giving the face of this car a sleeker, more modern look.

The lack of emblems or handles fits seamlessly with the aesthetic of the build, and help modernize the look of this classic Chevy.

Of course, we had to talk to the owner, Mike Halladay of Spokane Valley, Washington, “I bought it in 2009, and it was a basket case,” he explained. “The body was held onto the frame with two bolts, and all the glass, trim, and bumpers were in the car.” It was a big project, but Mike definitely made good on it.

What started as a basket case is now a show-stopping hot rod.

The project only took three years to complete, and it was only during the winter of 2016, that Mike stripped it all down and had it painted. It’s readily apparent, that this is a quality paint job. The color is clean and the depth is impressive.

Mike did all of the upholstery work on the car as well, and we don’t just mean installation of seat covers. Mike did all of the stitch work since he learned how to do upholstery work back in the ‘80s when he needed a seat cover made for his truck. Back then, he saw an add in the paper for an upholstery class, so he took it. He figured, why pay someone to do it when he could learn how to himself?

The interior is professional-grade craftsmanship. We were really impressed when we found out that Mike did all this work himself. It's more than just the quality of the stitch work in the seat covers, it's also the styling and all around well-put-together feel of the interior.

The custom interior now features an overhead console glommed from a 2002 Chevy Blazer, the front seats out of a 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer, and the rear seat is out of an ’89 Mercedes. For Mike, it was about getting things just right, and he found just the right parts to get things to fit and look how he wanted. He also added power windows, electric door releases, and an electric gas door.

The little details, like electric doors and gas door, are what put this build over the top for us.

Mike has also upgraded the front suspension, and is now using tubular control arms, drop spindles, and rack-and-pinion steering. In the rear is a 9-inch rearend, traction bars, and a 20-gallon fuel tank. The frame has also been sand blasted and powdercoated.

We also love Mike's choice to go with the classic aftermarket taillights. They look like a custom mod straight out of the '60s, and they are brand new version of the classic custom touch.

The engine powering Mike’s restomod Chevy is a 355 cubic-inch small-block that’s built with flat top pistons, double-hump heads, and an air gap intake with a 750 cfm Holley carburetor. He also added a 700R4 transmission and Southern-Air A/C system.

What do you think of Mike’s Bel Air? Would you do anything differently? If you have a cool classic Chevy hiding in your garage, send us an email and we’ll consider it for our Home-Built Heroes segment. We love seeing what our readers are out there building and driving.