Max & Belia BakerOklahoma City, Oklahoma'55 Chevy Bel Air
Drivetrain: A faithful ZZ3 crate engine provides plenty of power. It's topped off with a Holley carb and HEI ignition and wears just about every shiny accessory in the Street & Performance catalog (pulleys, headers, valve covers, air cleaner, etc.). Max's shop-American Transmission in Oklahoma City-built the 4L60 transmission and installed a BeCool tranny cooler.
Chassis: We've come a long way from the torched springs of yesteryear. Max had Steve Cook (Steve Cook Creations, Oklahoma City) smooth the frame before adding Heidt's dropped spindles, Posies' leaf springs (relocated inboard of the framerails), and a Saginaw 605 steering box. Rodney Durbin (also of Steve Cook Creations) later added Air Ride Technologies Shockwaves up front and an air-over-leaf setup out back, along with Ride Pro four-way controls. Baer 13-inch disc brakes adorn all four corners.
Wheels & Tires: Billet Specialties Chicayne wheels (18x7 and 20x8.5 inches) are wrapped in 225/40ZR18 and 295/40ZR20 Nitto rubber.
Body & Paint: The Chevy was treated to new floorpans and quarter-panels from C.A.R.S. before having the side trim altered (vertical bar removed), the antenna frenched, and the handles and emblems shaved. The peak is extended all the way down the front of the hood, leading up to a stock grille opening with a '57 Corvette insert. Both bumpers are shaved, and the rear has a Nomad center that mounts the license plate. Color is a custom-mix PPG red. Steve Cook Creations gets credit for the body and paint work.
Interior: Rodger's Auto Trim (Oklahoma City) is responsible for the tan tuck 'n' roll leather on the Glide bench seat, stock rear seat, and custom door panels. The upholstery is accented with Oxford Red carpet and Alloy Productions inserts in the body-color dash. Contemporary amenities include Vintage Air A/C, VDO instruments, an Aiwa stereo, and a Billet Specialties wheel atop the ididit column.