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TRADING PLACES
After Swapping His Recently Completed ’70 ’Cuda for This ’57 Hardtop, It Was Up to Vern Hill to Fulfill His Lifelong Dream
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![Picture of Josh Kaylor](https://theautobuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/author_logo.jpg)
Josh Kaylor
Story & Photography
During the ’70s, Hill teamed up with Bill Vance and ran a Funny Car called the KC Charger, which later became known simply as the Fenton Charger. Following a successful racing career, Hill started a nationally recognized company but continued to play with his high-octane rides on the side. After building everything from 1,200-plus-hp Vipers to several Fuel Funny Cars, it is this latest endeavor, a ’57 Chevy hardtop, that has become his favorite.
After completing a ’70 ’Cuda just months prior to the Shades of the Past event in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Hill decided to build a tri-5 Chevy. He has always been a big fan of the ’57 Bel Air, but he could never find the right car to start with. It was at the Shades event that he spotted a half-finished ’57 Chevy hardtop from Canada that was for sale. Not at all sure how the car made its way onto U.S. soil, he offered the owner the finished ’Cuda as a trade, and the tri-5 owner agreed. With a deal struck, they traded cars—the finished ’70 ’Cuda for the half-finished tri-5.
Hill understood that the car had a ways to go, but he finally had the car he had longed for, so now there was no amount of detail that would slow this project. Because the previous owner had already installed several high-end components, it was up to Hill to make it all work as one.
Underneath the vintage tin, the original chassis was stripped to the bare minimum and upgraded with several modern conveniences. Beginning with the original framerails, the rust and scale had already been stripped, and new bushings and stainless hardware replaced the originals. The factory front suspension was retained but was upgraded with polished tubular A-arms and 2-inch-dropped spindles, and a power rack-and-pinion was added. To control all the additional horsepower, the factory drum brakes were replaced with new Baer 13-inch vented rotors and bright red four-piston aluminum calipers. These are mounted behind 17-inch Americans.
You could call the Chevy chassis a race-inspired assembly, but with a front suspension that meets today’s standards for ride and drive. Work then quickly began on the rear. The 10-bolt rear assembly was modified to accommodate the output of the new powerplant. Out back, the previous owner filled the 10-bolt Chevy with 3.08 gears and an Eaton differential, all held in place with a 2-inch-lower rear-spring package. To finalize everything and to make it fit under the fenderwells, Hill added 18×8-inch rear Torq-Thrusts.
The most important decision made by the previous owner was the installation of the new GM Performance Parts ZZ502 and a Keisler/Tremec five-speed conversion. This powerful drivetrain is what initially drew Hill to the car. The ZZ502 is as the name suggests, a 502hp/502-inch big block, making 567 lb-ft of torque. And if these numbers aren’t enough, taking a ride with Hill will make a true believer out of you.
The 502 arrived as a short block, which meant all the accessories had to be purchased. To make quick work of the front drive, Hill opted for a Zoops serpentine drive system, which includes the necessary accessories as well as polished-aluminum bracketry and custom pulleys. To handle the fuel and air, Hill implemented an aluminum intake and a 750cfm four-barrel carb, as well as a GM HEI. And to exit those spent gases, Hill installed a set of 2-1/2-inch Sanderson headers and Flowmaster mufflers.
With all this big-block power, Hill knew it would take a serious radiator and a complete cooling system to keep the engine running cool under all conditions, so rather than fool with the old factory radiator, he chose a complete Be Cool module system. The Be Cool module system consists of a cross-flow aluminum radiator capable of up to 750 hp, a polished shroud, twin 1,200cfm electric fans and a polished overflow tank. The entire assembly looks great, and now this big-block Chevy runs cool both on the highway and while cruising the fairgrounds.
When it came time to bring the exterior up to par with the completed chassis and drivetrain, Hill enlisted the help of Scott Hoch in nearby Harriman, Tennessee. Hoch repaired the small imperfections in the body before applying the factory GM Torch Red hue using modern basecoat/clearcoat materials. After color-sanding and buffing the finish, Hill and Hoch installed the new stainless, chrome and window glass. For headlights, Hill opted for a set of ultra-bright halogen lights, as well as a set of rear taillight LEDs, to replace the standard factory lighting. Up front, he replaced the rusted original bumper with a freshly chromed one-piece, California-style bumper.
Hill is a man of simplicity, and rather than complicate the interior, he opted simply to utilize new reproduction panels and install a few subtle comfort items, such as ididit tilt steering, Vintage heat and air, and modern Classic Instruments gauges.
With the help of friend Richard Hamil, Hill installed a complete reproduction red-and-black Bel Air interior, as well as several modern upgrades to help with the driveability of the Chevy. First, for styling reasons, the gauges the previous owner installed were replaced with a set of white-face Classic Instruments gauges. These were installed in the factory bezel. The old straight-style steering column was replaced with a new aluminum ididit Retro-fit column, topped by a polished Billet Specialties steering wheel. This simple addition made driving the Chevy a little easier for the 6-foot-tall Hill. And to help combat those humid summer days, a Vintage Air Sure-Fit kit was installed under the dash. All that remained was the addition of reproduction dash bezels and trim.
After only six months on the project, Hill finished his classic Chevy just in time for the 2008 show season. Since completing the car, he has racked up several thousand miles on the old car and has taken home a few awards in the process, including Best Paint, Best of Show and People’s Choice Award at various events around the Southeast.
So, while Hill traded a recently completed Mopar for his ’57 dream car, he tells us he has no plans to trade or sell the ’57 anytime soon. We can’t say we blame him—we wouldn’t trade it, either.