TRADING PLACES

From Racetrack to Dream Car: Hill’s 1957 Chevy Hardtop

The Trade: A Finished ‘Cuda for a Half-Finished Tri-Five

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.

Building Upon a Strong Foundation

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 Heart of the Beast: A Powerful Drivetrain

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.