All Mocked Up
September 25, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
- All Post
- Builds
- Cars
- 01 Post Status
- _000 HIGH PRIORITY
- Trucks
- Swaps
- Performance Boats
- Builders
- 00 Sidebars
- Manufacturers
- _000 Home Sliders
- 05 Publications
- Back
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Power Adders
- Back
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Power Adders
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Back
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Power Adders
- Steering
- Back
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Back
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Power Adders
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Back
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Power Adders
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Back
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Power Adders
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Back
- Steering
- Interior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Exterior and Hull
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Outdrives
- Back
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Back
- Chrysler
- Subaru
- Plymouth
- Mercury
- Chevrolet
- Volvo
- Cadillac
- Volkswagen
- Pontiac
- GMC
- AMC
- BMW
- Buick
- Jeep
- Oldsmobile
- Lincoln
- Mitsubishi
- Ford
- Dodge
- Acura
- Honda
- Nissan
- Toyota
- Back
- 05 Pub HCI Hot Compact Imports
- 15 Pub 4x4 4x4 Builder
- 20 Pub SR Super Rod
- 25 Pub FB Ford Builder
- 30 Pub AR American Rodder
- 35 Pub RD Rodders Digest
- 40 Pub OTR On the Road
- 55 Pub BSCENE Buckaroo Scene
- 10 Pub CR Chevy Rumble
- 50 Pub TB Truck Builder
- 60 Pub FPB Family Power Boat
- 45 Pub SRB Street Rod Builder
- Back
- 10 High Priority - CR Chevy Rumble
- 15 High Priority - 4x4 4x4 Builder
- 20 High Priority - SR Super Rod
- 25 High Priority - FB Ford Builder
- 30 High Priority - AR American Rodder
- 35 High Priority - RD Rodders Digest
- 40 High Priority - OTR On the Road
- 45 High Priority - SRB Street Rod Builder
- 50 High Priority - TB Truck Builder
- 55 High Priority - BSCENE Buckaroo Scene
- 60 High Priority - FPB Family Power Boat
- 05 High Priority - HCI Hot Compact Imports
- Back
- J.F. Launier
- Bobby Alloway
- Chip Foose
- Steve Sellers
- Boyd Coddington
- Rad Rides by Troy
- Ring Brothers
- Cal Auto Creations
- George Barris
- Jesse James
- West Coast Customs
- Jack Fuller
- Bob Cullipher
- Jerry Nichols
- Carl Casper
- Back
- Street Rods
- Hot Rods
- Late Model
- Drag Race
- Handling
- Compact Cars
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Power Adders
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Power Adders
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Power Adders
- Steering
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Power Adders
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Back
- 05 Post Imported
- 20 Post Missing Images (All)
- 25 Post Missing Images (Partial)
- 15 Post In Progress
- 30 Post Internal Review
- 40 Post On Hold
- 50 Post Approved
- 10 Post Images Imported
- 27 Post Missing Content
- 17 Post Missing TXT Files
- 18 Post Missing PDF Files
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine Swaps
- Interior Swaps
- Driveline
- Back
- Street Trucks
- OffRoad Trucks
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Power Adders
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Power Adders
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Back
- 01 Sidebar Left
- 01 Sidebar Right
Spotlighter
70 Years of Cool: The Tri-Five Chevy Turns Platinum
Over 100 of the cleanest, meanest ’55, ’56, and ’57 Chevys pack Kasich Hall at the 2025 Summit Racing Nationals
In 1955, Chevrolet didn’t just redesign a car—they ignited a movement. The Tri-Five Chevys (that’s shorthand for the 1955, 1956, and 1957 models) arrived like a thunderclap and never really left. These machines were leaner, lower, and louder—in both looks and performance—ushering in a new era of V8-powered excitement. The shoebox shape, the tailfins, the grille teeth…every detail had attitude. And the world noticed.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
Collectively, Chevy built over a million Tri-Fives. Still, it wasn’t nearly enough. Seventy years later, they’re still turning heads, melting tires, and winning trophies. Doesn’t matter if it’s a bone-stock Bel Air, a bare-metal gasser, or a slammed, LS-swapped monster with more carbon than chrome—Tri-Fives are the ultimate blank canvas.
To celebrate the 70th birthday of this American icon, Goodguys went all-in at the 27th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG. Over 100 Tri-Fives packed Kasich Hall with every style, flavor, and performance level imaginable. Some builds honored the classics. Others blew them wide open. But every one of them proved the Tri-Five legacy is alive and loud.
If you missed it, no worries—we pulled together a highlight reel of some of the wildest, cleanest, and most creative Tri-Five Chevys from the show. Scroll on, drool a little, and get inspired.
Donald Bele’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air – Timeless Red with Modern Bite
Sometimes the cars parked outside say just as much as the ones inside—and Donald Bele’s bright red ’57 Bel Air made sure heads turned before people even walked through the gate. Hailing from Pittsburgh, this Tri-Five packs a 355 small-block with a Turbo 400 and FiTech EFI, giving it modern drivability with classic V8 charm. It rides on tubular control arms with 4-wheel disc brakes and retains the original rack and pinion, balancing old-school feel with updated control.
The PPG red paint was laid down back in 1994 but still gleams like it was sprayed last week. Inside, it’s all stock save for a crisp set of Dakota Digital instruments. Riddler wheels round it out with just enough flash. Proof that when a build is done right, it doesn’t need to shout to stand out—even when it’s sitting in the parking lot.
Subtle Swagger: Kerry Hunter’s Timeless ’55 Chevy 210
Kerry Hunter’s 1955 Chevrolet 210 blends classic style with a quiet dose of modern attitude. At first glance, it looks like a nicely restored stocker, complete with all-original body panels, a factory Bel Air interior, and a crisp Neptune Green and Indian Ivory finish. But those Budnick wheels give it away—they’re the first clue that this Tri-Five isn’t entirely stuck in 1955. Under the hood, a spotless engine bay houses a modern ZZ6 350ci crate engine with electronic fuel injection, while a modified chassis keeps things planted. It’s a clean, understated build that respects the original lines while adding just enough performance and personality to stand out.
Cruiser Done Right: Lee Evans’ Air-Ride ’56 Chevy
Lee Evans’ 1956 Chevrolet proves that you don’t need wild mods to make a statement—just the right stance and a sharp eye for detail. Rolling out of Columbus, Ohio, this Tri-Five rides low on air with a dead-on posture that gives it just the right amount of attitude. The stock chassis and original 265 small-block keep things true to ’56 roots, while a set of Coys wheels and Notto tires give it a little modern flash. The body’s wrapped in a dreamy combo of Neptune Green and Glacier Blue, and the mostly stock interior gets just one key upgrade: a Retro Sound system to keep the tunes flowing. Clean, classic, and dialed in—it’s a cruiser done right.
Ridler Royalty: Southern Comfort Customs’ “Gray Madder” ’56 Nomad
We’ve covered this car before, and for good reason—it’s that good. Built by Southern Comfort Customs for the Bresnahan family, the “Gray Madder” Nomad rolled out of North Carolina and straight into hot rod history by taking home the 2025 Ridler Award. This isn’t just another high-end Tri-Five—it’s a full-tilt custom that nails every detail.
It all starts with a rock-solid foundation: an Art Morrison chassis paired with a hydraulic suspension setup that gives the car its killer stance and street manners. Under the hood lives a rowdy LS3 backed by a 6L90E six-speed auto, breathing through Ultimate Headers and managed by Holley EFI. Look closer and you’ll spot one of the build’s coolest Easter eggs—a custom billet air cleaner built using parts from an original 265 small-block, blending new-school power with old-school soul.
The body’s covered in sleek Glasurit 55 paint, with a one-off billet grille and enough chrome and billet accents to keep your eyes busy. Custom Evod wheels—18x10s up front and 20x12s out back—tuck just right into the Diamond Back rubber. Inside, the craftsmanship continues with hand-stitched leather by Jeff Shores, Dakota Digital gauges, a one-off steering column by Kevin Fugate, and Vintage Air to keep things cool.
Gray Madder isn’t just a showstopper—it’s a statement. A modern Tri-Five masterpiece that balances performance, style, and creativity with Ridler-winning execution. For the full deep dive, check out our original feature: Gray Madder Takes Home the 2025 Ridler Award.
Mike & Melanie Rigsby’s “Belwood” ’55 Chevy Surf Wagon
What if Chevrolet had built a woodie wagon in 1955? That’s the question Mike and Melanie Rigsby set out to answer—and the result is “Belwood,” a one-of-a-kind Tri-Five surf wagon with vintage California vibes and show-quality execution. Built in Lakeview, Ohio, the car features a smoothed and styled body finished in rich PPG paint, complete with custom woodgrain accents that give it that classic longboard cruiser look.
Under the hood, it’s powered by a reliable 327 small-block, giving it just the right amount of vintage muscle. The interior continues the custom theme with surf-inspired touches and a clean, tailored finish. It’s not what Chevy rolled off the line in ’55—but it’s exactly what they should have. Belwood is fun, fresh, and totally unforgettable.
Donas Singleton’s 1956 Chevy Bel Air – Classic Looks, Modern Muscle
Donas Singleton’s ’56 Bel Air might look like a clean classic, but underneath, it’s all go. Built on an Art Morrison GT55 chassis and powered by a 502ci big-block from Steve Schmidt Racing, the car cranks out 560hp to the rear wheels through a paddle-shifted 4L80E. It’s all-original steel up top—even the pinch welds are untouched—but the driving experience is pure modern muscle.
Singleton’s no stranger to performance, with a background in drag racing bikes, boats, and now Nostalgia Super Stock. But this car’s different. “It’s not just another pretty face,” he says. “You can put it through its paces, and it gets it done.” With a mix of vintage style and Corvette-level drivability, this middle-child Tri-Five stands tall—and yes, it gets driven. A lot.
Scott Sullivan’s “Cheez Whiz” ’55 Chevy – The One That Started It All
If you know Pro Street, you know this car. Scott Sullivan’s “Cheez Whiz” ’55 Chevy didn’t just make waves when it debuted—it kicked off a movement. Named HOT ROD Magazine’s Car of the Year in 1988, this blazing orange 210 from Dayton, Ohio became an icon of the Pro Street revolution, eventually immortalized as an AMT model kit. Decades later, Sullivan still owns the car that changed the game.
Powered by a Lingenfelter-built 496 big-block and riding on a custom chassis with a four-link rear and coilovers borrowed from a ’69 Camaro, the stance and presence are pure late-’80s muscle. The signature “Cheezwiz” orange paint still pops, and the Larry Sneed-stitched interior brings back all the right vibes. It’s loud, proud, and still setting the standard for what Pro Street is supposed to be.
Jeff & Tracy Spears’ 1957 Chevy “Cherry Bomb” – Gasser Gone Wild
What started as a dream to build a ’60s-style straight-axle gasser “just got out of hand,” according to Jeff and Tracy Spears—but we’d say it got out of hand in all the right ways. Their 1957 Chevy 210 Post, dubbed Cherry Bomb, is a full-throttle, metalflake-drenched tribute to vintage drag racing style, with just enough modern polish to earn it a front-and-center spot at the 2019 SEMA Show.
Built from a black shell with just 27,000 original miles, this ex-drag car underwent a full two-year frame-off transformation at Roy’s Paint and Performance. The centerpiece? A remote-controlled, all-steel flip front end—welded, smoothed, and gapped so cleanly it looks stock when closed. Under the hood, a 486ci big-block (based on a ’73 454) wears an 8-71 blower and twin 750 Holleys, backed by a TH400 and feeding a ’62 Olds/Pontiac rear, updated by Fabcraft. Doug’s headers, stainless pipes, and Magnaflow mufflers give it the growl to match the glitter.
Twelve pounds of red metalflake and 16 coats of clear give the paint its wild sparkle, hand-lettered by Joey “Taz” Henschen—no stickers here. Inside, ’67 GTO buckets, a 14-point cage, frenched gauges, and custom LED lighting make for a race-ready cockpit with style. The Spears did the billet and engraving work in-house, while L&D Chrome handled the shine. Wilwood brakes, Wheel Vintiques rims, Coker slicks out back and pie-crust skinnies up front complete the look.
Yeah, it’s loud. Yeah, it’s over the top. And yeah—it gets driven. Jeff’s even taken it down the strip at Beech Bend… and to church on Sunday.
1957 Chevrolet El Morocco – The Millionaire’s Custom Chevy
You’re looking at one of the rarest Tri-Fives ever built—an authentic, fully documented 1957 El Morocco. Just 18 were produced in 1957, and only 16 the year before, making this one of fewer than three dozen ever created. The El Morocco was the vision of Canadian businessman Reuben Allender, who set out to build a smaller, more affordable Cadillac-inspired cruiser using Chevrolet Bel Air and 210 platforms as the foundation.
Styled with fiberglass Eldorado-style fins, a custom egg-crate grille, Dagmar bumpers, gold anodized “sabre-spoke” wheels, and unique El Morocco badging, these hand-built cars were far more than dressed-up Chevys—they were registered as their own make. Under the hood, most retained standard small-block V8 power and Powerglide transmissions, but it was the styling that turned heads.
The El Morocco’s high build cost made it a tough sell—priced close to a Cadillac—but today, survivors like this are blue-chip collectibles. It’s a rare slice of Tri-Five history where Cadillac dreams met Chevrolet practicality, and the result was nothing short of striking.
Kelly Clark’s 1955 Chevy 210 – Tradesman, Built by Blood and Grit
Kelly Clark of Rocky Mount, Missouri brought a car to the Tri-Five exhibit that’s as personal as it is polished. Dubbed Tradesman, this 1955 Chevy 210 is the product of a seven-year, hands-on build that started with his father’s high school ride and evolved into a modern-day muscle machine with soul.
A GM Performance LS3 cranks out 525 horsepower, all anchored to a Speedtech Performance Extreme chassis. The body sits slammed and sorted, wearing flawless PPG Deltron/Global paint laid down by Justin Borgmann. Forgeline wheels tuck tight, giving the car a planted, aggressive stance that’s impossible to ignore. Inside, Tracy Weaver of Recovery Room handled the custom stitchwork with his signature touch.
From the driveway to the show field, Tradesman is a proud, purpose-built tribute—and proof that passion and patience still build the best hot rods.
Andrew Tully’s 1955 Bel Air – Classic Lines, Modern Muscle
Andrew Tully’s 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is a masterclass in modernized muscle. Built by Tully Speed Shop and riding on a Roadster Shop chassis, this Bel Air combines timeless Tri-Five style with cutting-edge performance. Under the hood is a supercharged LT4 paired to an 8-speed automatic, delivering silky-smooth shifts and serious horsepower with daily-driver reliability.
Classic Car Studio laid down the custom paint and handled the bespoke interior, giving the car a sleek, contemporary feel that’s as refined as it is aggressive. The result is a super-clean, show-ready Bel Air that looks classic but drives like a modern performance car—proof that old school and new school can live in perfect harmony.
Mike Thien’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible – Tropical Turquoise Time Capsule
Mike Thien of Fort Recovery, Ohio rolled into the Tri-Five display with pure vintage vibes and subtle upgrades in tow. His Tropical Turquoise ’57 Bel Air convertible is a sunny slice of classic Americana, kept true to form with just enough modern refinement underneath. Power comes from a tried-and-true 350ci small-block Chevy, backed by a Ridetech coilover suspension and Wilwood drop disc brakes for smooth cruising and confident stopping.
US Wheel steelies keep the look period-correct and grounded, while the overall stance nails that “restored-but-driven” feel. It’s a convertible built to be enjoyed—top down, sun out, and style cranked all the way up.
