PERFORMING ARTS

A Star Is Born

Certain cars are stars. The ’57 Chevrolet Bel Air found itself in starring roles since the first car rolled off the assembly line. From its art deco fins and side trim to its potent 283 V8, the car was an instant hit. Fans of the 1957 Chevy continue to follow the car, and the number of fans seems endless. Who could blame them? After all, here is a car that can play the role of a custom with ease, then turn around and be the baddest car on the dragstrip. Oval racing was a role in the early years, and today a ’57 Chevrolet in flawless original condition will draw rave reviews. The 1957 Bel Air is so flexible, it is at home in any automotive role or costume. As a matter of fact, there are precious few configurations that haven’t been applied to this all-time favorite. Some ’57 Chevrolets have done more than one stint in the theater of the go-fast, and it seems there are no limits for these cars.

Enter Mike Staveski and Time Machines, Inc.

When Mike Staveski became the owner of this purple Bel Air, it was playing the role of a mild custom. Whitewalls, wire wheels, Appleton spotlights, and a custom interior were setting the subdued theme of the car. Under the hood was a 427 with electronic fuel injection. Silver Dollar Classics brought the car to this custom state. Staveski and the guys at his shop, Time Machines, Inc., thought it was time for the ’57 Chevy to take on a new persona. Like many stars of the ’50s, it was due for a face lift.

Building the 502ci Blower Motor

Now an EFI 427 would provide ample power for many hot rodders, but Staveski and company wanted to build a true ground-pounder. First a phone call was put in to Holley and Weiand. A discussion ensued about how best to build a blower motor. The goal was to start with a crate motor, and build a good, reliable supercharged engine using mostly wrenches, with no major machine work.
Starting with a 338hp, 502ci big block from Jim Pace Warehouse, the guys proceeded to slip in a new Lunati cam, added Crane roller rockers and studs and then bolted an 8-71 Weiand blower and a pair of 700cfm Holley carbs on top of the whole package. The blower is under-driven 14.3 percent. The huge polished aluminum scoop from Speedway Motors directs air into the huffed big block. The stock 8-quart pan was notched for clearance and the engine was installed. Flowmaster two-chamber mufflers handle the forced hot air. Dyno results prove the blown big block produces 650 horsepower at just over 5,000 rpm.

Drivetrain and Suspension Details

Behind the big block resides a stock 400 Turbo transmission with a Hurst Quarter Shifter selecting the gears. Power is passed back to a 9-inch Ford rearend mounted on stock springs and air shocks via a PST aluminum driveshaft. Attention to detail is everywhere, and most suspension components are either HPC-coated or painted silver, a pleasant contrast to the purple floor and body panels. A sheetmetal cover that provides the look of a fuel cell hides the stock gas tank. The tire and wheel selection consists of polished American Racing wheels (17×7 fronts and 17×9.5 rears) shod with BFGoodrich Comp T/As on the front (225/45-17) and BFGoodrich G-Force tires on the rear (255/50ZR17).

Brakes, Steering, and Handling

The front suspension is basically stock, but Camaro disc brakes now slow the ’57 Bel Air down. Rear brakes are stock Ford drum units, and a dual power master cylinder provides the pressure. A GM 605 steering box ensures smooth steering inputs.

Twilight Royal Purple Body and Styling

Since the body was already painted Twilight Royal Purple (a Ford Probe color), the team at Time Machines simply cut the hood (to permit the blower, carbs, and scoop to protrude) and repainted it to match the rest of the car. The Bel Air retains all of the factory trim, and the guys at Time Machines, Inc. even opted to leave the Appleton Spotlights on the car, making for a unique mix of ground-pounding performance with just the hint of a custom.
The custom feeling continues inside the car, where a heavily diamond-tufted headliner combines with the complete interior from a 1966 Thunderbird. The bucket seats, console, and dashboard were fitted into the front of the car. The dash required some shortening, but the entire unit now resides in the ’57, including the tilt and slide-away steering column. The deep steering wheel is also vintage ’66 Thunderbird. Team Time Machines handled upholstery chores. Auto Custom Carpets supplied the blue/purple carpet for the car. Some of the 650 horsepower is consumed turning an A/C compressor connected to a Vintage Air unit.

Driving the 650hp Bel Air

After our photo session, this writer was lucky enough to take the wheel of this high-horsepower classic Chevy. From a standing start, even a moderate throttle input proved the stock springs are woefully inept at keeping the tires on the ground, the lack of traction bars permitting plenty of wheel hop as the springs wrapped up. From a rolling start, the car simply shreds the BFGoodrich tires, eventually hooks up and hauls butt, ripping more Z-rated rubber from the rears when second gear arrives.
By the top of second gear, it’s time to back off, our secluded, industrial-site test track proving to be too short for the ’57 Chevy. The car is a blast to drive. There is no sign of a flat spot, or blower lag. The power and torque come on early and last well into the upper rpm ranges. The engine is just plain awesome, and the car it’s propelling is smooth and tight.

Street Machine of the Year Contender

The purple Bel Air was headed to Columbus, Ohio, to compete for the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Street Machine of the Year two days after we photographed the car. As this story was going to publish, we did not hear how the car fared in this competition, but surely it was a contender. And the envelope, please.