Art Morrison 1955 Chevy Bel Air - Faster Than a Ferrari?

[@Spartan043]

It's a fifty-year-old car with brand-new suspension and engine technology. You can do this to literally any car if you have the time, money and expertise. But for some reason, seeing them do it with '55 Chevy always puts a smile on my face.

[@spdcrzy]

+Spartan043 mainly because it has the aerodynamics of a brick. XD

[@lawrencesiler6684]

Yes, I am reminded when I was growing up as a teenager my oldest brother`s best friend had a 55 and it was light blue with the white top and a four speed. It was a really sharp car then and they are the more so now.

[@ForestDwellingWretch]

Spartan043 super cars suck I see them getting beat day in and day out all they are is for showing hey look I'm dumb I don't know how to build cars so I buy a 300k car that I think is fast then I show it off 24/7, there useless and break down 24/7 and the parts cost way to much like a clutch on a LAMBO cost 30,000$, plus you can't drive it cause people know you got money you will be luck if you don't get followed home and shot, and let's face it they sound so annoying and look so dumb if I could never hear a v12 scream like its a 7 year old girl screaming at the highest pitch voice ever I would be the happiest man on earth.

[@antonipeters2333]

Concur 100%

[@wolfenstein731]

+Legendary ZACH4 Are you stupid? The V12 cars are going up in value and the power plant is no longer produced, if you actually knew something about cars you would know you're talking about something dated.

[@9876543210goodbye]

Very nice car but, it's hardly an "old" car any more. It's actually a new car with an old car styling.

[@55dpc]

For sure GM won't make them anymore. If your butt feels inflamed, that could be the reason!

[@9876543210goodbye]

David Chambers You know, I think they should bring back a lot of the old car styles. I wouldn't mind buying a new car that had the style of a 55,56,57 Chevy. Put all the emission garbage on it but make the outside like a beautiful old car. Those were the days when cars had beauty...unlike today.

[@inkey2]

***** John....I totally agree. I have often thought "that if the American car companies reissued the old classics they would make a fortune".....like the 1949 Ford Coupe, 1955 Chevy, 1957 Chevy, 1947 plymouth business coupe, 1949 Mercury.....etc

[@lioncelica5170]

inkey2They already tried retro styling like with that horrid chevy pickup and others. The only one's that seem to be successful are the 2005-present Mustangs and the new Challenger.

[@gregblack8550]

Yes yes yes

[@hiimjiraiya]

11 years later and this is still one of my favorite videos

[@Ferraridude13]

TST is really prolific, and this is a very interesting build

[@andrewt248]

'55 is my favorite year of the tri-fives; must be because of Harrison Ford's black '55 drag rod in American Graffiti.

[@niktsol]

The combination of old-style with up to date technology is perfect. I must say "Masterpiece"!!! Well done!!

[@chaoszen1]

1955 Bel Air was arguably the best looking car in the Chevy lineup for 1955, 1956 and 1957. Wish they still made cars that have style over substance. This one has both. Cars made now all have the same boring mono look. Save for a few.

[@lioncelica5170]

Michael KadingerI prefer the high wing tips of the 57.

[@jeanhodgson8623]

Today's cars are hideous and way too small. Even Volvo went down the tubes after the 940; now they are small, and terribly crowded under the hood.

[@hamsteaks5541]

I personally like the look of the pre-'57 bel air, iirc I think they took the grill and literally flipped it for the '57? I thought I read that somewhere, idk I'm not too keen on the older cars, but I know I always liked the '56 bel air more than the '57.

[@AlastorTheNPDemon]

+Michael Kadinger Black 1957 Bel Air. Pimp car for the ages.

[@Brodka4Realz]

+Hoodoo Man Arguably the best looking in the Chevy line-up? Considering the rest of the line up was a wagon and a Corvette, it ain't much to argue over.

[@tokinGLX]

if the whole video had a repeating engine/exhaust note like at 4:12, i certainly wouldnt complain. love it when you open it up like that. nice car, great video.

[@yogenpayyar5696]

That engine is fucking MUSIC.

[@amariodom4858]

Yogen Payyar sure is

[@Cgem201]

Sweet! After 50 odd years, the tri 5 chevy's (55', 56', 57') are still turning heads. Super job, Craig.

[@BigC954]

This Car is amazing!! Plus it shows these classics and Hot Rods have a TON Of potential!!!

[@napili5470]

Nice 55. I was trying to see if I commented on this years ago but couldn't find nothing probably because there was nothing to bitch about, beautiful car. If I ever build a 55 Chev again. the first thing I would want is a Art Morrison Frame. Craig Morrison thanks for building such a beautiful car (55 chev. My favorite) and thanks for leaving the Bowtie Dash in.

[@johnturbo7714]

Driving a classic that performs and handles is perfection. I'd love an A.R.E 55 Tri chevy chassis like this one on my 55.

[@AudiSportFan1970]

Can't stop watching this vid. My 55 is super sick, but this is just over the top!!!

[@CaliPatriot88]

I go to this event every Sunday so awesome it's like a ten minute drive for me. The last Sunday of the month is always the biggest tons of cars. Classics, muscle, exotics, imports, rat rods ect.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@EatmyDust1311 This car is the third most valuable car we've ever driven on this show, following the Ferrari 458 and Lambo Balboni. It's a custom-built Chevy hot rod, and calling it a kit car is an insult.

[@BentleyTypeR]

After all those modifications, once you sell it, you're not gonna make much. Now if it were all 100% original, then yes.

[@MatthewRobertHenry]

awesome episode as always. I love the variety we get to see. That car seemed like the best of lots of worlds combined and man did it sound great!

[@MichaelMosesHammer]

This car is awesome the way he built it to handle, and still has brute power.

[@Boostnitup]

I am a California boy... had a '55 in high school. Wow! What a ride you have there!

[@drewnashty]

I've worked on quite a few LS swaps into Tri Fives for Tony at Tempe Speed and Performance and what used to be called Arizona TPI. While we retained the original chassis, we did do some grinding on the frame to install the engine and trans mounts along with modifications to install aftermarket suspension, big brake kits, HVAC, dash and instrument panel, lights, radiator/coolant system, fuel system, ECU and wiring harness.

[@johnbehneman1546]

WHEN THIS CAR CAME OUT IN POPULAR HOT RODDING. IT WAS BRANDED AS A GT55. WHICH FITS THE PRAND PERFECTLY!!!! I LOVED IT FROM THE START. AND WHAT TURNED ME ON TO ART MORRISON. ART MORRISON AND THE ROADSTER SHOP ARE TWO HIGH-QUALITY BRANDS I WOULD BE HAPPY WITH. SOMETHING TO CONSIDER. THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE.

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LOVE CANYON CARVING!!!!! WE HAVE VERY FEW DRAGSTRIPS LEFT IN CALIFORNIA. BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF CANYONS!!!!

[@OldsCutlass1978]

@TheSmokingTire The late Trans Ams used 400s. The last 455 used was in 1976. We had a 77 TA and the biggest motor you could get was the 400. Nice to see a hot rod get some coverage for being a good handling car. These cars can handle well with the right suspension setup.

[@lifewizard34]

Pretty sweet! But like he said, it has a custom chassis so I'm not surprised that its so fast around the track. Sounds awesome none the less.

[@henochparks]

SANTA I WANT ONE OF THESE FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

[@darkstatehk]

+Xerro No Vatimo There's no such thing as Santa. Grow up.

[@Cameron-kg8li]

its a joke dumbass

[@andyashton4268]

I can only give 1 thumbs up!

[@lebis94]

I hate when people modify interior of such an authentic retro car.

[@amariodom4858]

Edgars Ļebedevs same

[@theGreaseRamirez]

Edgars Ļebedevs they should have left the bench seat

[@quentonmillstid850]

Edgars Ļebedevs how dare they make THEIR car better to live with?! It is not like you want to daily drive it or anything

[@antonioalegria1412]

Maybe the cars interior was shit and keep in mind they don't sell parts because they don't fucking make them anymore

[@wolfenstein731]

+Anthony Alegria You mad bro?

[@TheSmokingTire]

@ChrisLARun people have style in Europe, but for the most part, appreciation for cars like this is a uniquely American thing.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@boysvandehood it's a generalization to say the differences have to do with displacement, but as a general rule for older engines, most old V8's over 400 cubic inches are big blocks. Technically, it has nothing to do with displacement and more with the size of the actual block itself, when measuring the distance between the centers of the cylinders. As far as I know, the last big block engine in a sports car was in the late 1970's Trans Am, which had a 455.

[@IDiedForYou1776]

Don't get me wrong I like an older car done up such as you had on the show today and such but I appreciate both...not done up and done up and I enjoy driving both...the driving experience is what its all about. The driver/car connection of old...the power/confidence of new

[@TheSmokingTire]

@king504babyboi we say it twice, and show it, in the video. Please actually watch the video before commenting.

[@verntoews6937]

Nicest 55 post color scheme was a 2 tone with white roof and very light almost white yellow for the rest. This color match was jaw dropping

[@TheSmokingTire]

@Rayyy24 the job didn't exist before, so I just kinda made it up. Honestly I can't believe we're still doing this, but we're still here, so i think we'll just keep going.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@panta22 I've driven quite a few Ferrari's in fact, including the new 458, the 430 Scud, 599, 430 Spider, 360CS/Spider/Modena, 355GTS/Spider, 575M, 550 Barchetta, F50, Enzo, 328GTS, 308GTB, 512BBI Boxer, 512TR, and even a Mondial T Cabrio. I'm guessing that's probably more Ferrari's than you've driven. And this car is as fast, if not faster than quite a few of them. And it's based on a 50-year old land yacht. I love Ferrari's, but making something so big and heavy go that fast is no small feat.

[@steelerfreek007]

@CraigMorrison Love your shops work. My dad purchased a rear sub-frame set up for a 77 LT1 camaro in 4link guise. The craftmanship is superb!

[@TheSmokingTire]

@derlustigedfence if we didn't have the music, it would sound like shit. the music is there to tie the whole thing together because we shoot with different microphones under different conditions. without that, it would sound like amateur hour

[@Tonguefunsome]

I've a restored 65 mustang with original equipment,no power steering and original type suspension,I've got a buddy with a couple of resto-mods. While my car is fun 2 drive for a short while,his cars are fun to drive all day long and then some! This coming year I'm upgrading the brakes,steering and suspension. Looking forward to a better ride, safer handling and feeling that I'm in a hot rod instead of an old car!

[@pux0rb]

I know its modified so much that is isn't even the same car anymore, but man. That sound is amazing. Give me that over a Ferrari any day.

[@hayksamvelyan]

Matt you need come up with your own signature phrase. The few times I've heard you yell out "Poweeer" (the way Clarkson does it), it just doesn't sound genuine. Anyways, this car is badass. No airbags, no headrests, no crumples zones, no ABS or traction control (I suspect)...I'd be terrified of just driving it on public roads

[@that1zombi3kid]

Damn Matt looks really fit in this. How time flies.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@TheGavio93 probably not, but Morrison did their own track test and we will publish their test results on our website as soon as we have them.

[@plymoutheeturbowe9952]

let's just say i'm glad Matt decided to ditch the sideburns

[@anthonyfunderburk7871]

I loved this video the car is amazing I have a 1955 Bel air hard top one day I hope to get it too look that good

[@MrUltraworld]

I did a '70 Chevelle with a new dyncorn body on top of a Art Morrison chassis W/ independent rear suspension powered by a LS9 / Tremec 6060. I intended to keep it, but someone offered me twice what I paid to build it. Art Morrison's chassis are the last word if you want your muscle car to handle like it was made yesterday. Add a modern engine with a wiring harness & computer & will be fast & get great fuel mileage. I have a '66 Nova in progress for my self.

[@NoYouDummy]

In my grandma's apartment complex parking lot, there is a 55' Bel Air, hell if you go there you'll see bunch of cars from the 50's......oh and the 60's too. It's really hidden and it's well guarded too. Nicest one there is a really decked out 52' Chieftain from Pontiac. My Grandma owns a 1967 Mustang Fastback, she drives it like 2 or 3 times a month.

[@ryansterling4226]

This car is absolutely gorgeous!

[@gweggorz]

Awesome review! More than anything I enjoyed hearing the exhaust lol

[@hehahohee]

@TheSmokingTire Let me put it this way. If I saw this thing on the track keeping up with supercars, I would be very impressed. If I found out that the frame and all the other new parts are of modern design, but especially the frame, I would say, "so that's why..."

[@Random-rt5ec]

Wow this 1955 Chevy Bel Air would be an awesome 1st car for my 16 year old son.

[@Hotrodhardy]

old school muscle cars + modern day drivetrain, suspension = the best of both worlds!

[@apexdna]

Wow, what a car!!! Saw one today, a true '55 in black with orange interior...

[@KreKeriS911]

Finally new episode of smoking tire

[@kaymanclark]

I love my grandpa's 4-door turqouise/white 55'. I WANT IT!

[@drewnashty]

The correct term is a Tri Five. I've heard some older guys, in their 60's and 70's now, get into a debate about what the term Hot Rod came from, some of them said it was a souped up roadster like a T bucket that started it while I also heard it just meant its a custom street car. To me, growing up, when I heard the term Hot rod, a picture of a 33 Willy's, tubbed out with a blower came into my head. Sort of stuff I used to doodle when I was supposed to be learning how to write cursive.

[@MrBobman360]

Shweeet! 0-60 in 4.1 daaangg. I also love the paint! the blue and white complement each other very nicely.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@derbigpr500 ok. so if you were telling a bunch of total strangers what you drove today, in a way that accurately described the total picture of the car, what year would you use? 2011? I don't think anyone on earth would look at a picture of this car and say "2011 Chevy Bel Air."

[@TheEnragedHawk]

You would have liked a 54ish Buick I saw at the Lonestar Round Up in Austin, TX. Old, rusty, bagged - you're typical looking rat rod - but it had a full frame rebuild with a Dodge Viper drive train, including the V10 engine. Sickest car I've seen in my life.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@scfd5232 wrong. whether an engine is a small block or big block has nothing to do with the actual displacement of the engine, it has to do with its specific configuration, and the thickness of the walls in between the cylinders. For instance, the GM LS7 from the Corvette Z06 is 427 cubic inches, yet a small block. For years, big-cube small block engines have become the norm in hot rodding.

[@joylaurie3614]

Oh how I'd just love to have one of those 1955 Chevy Bell Aires!!! When I was a teenager in California they were still driving them hard tops around, heck even my older sister & her husband had a few of them & drove them as their everyday cars because the are sooo comfortable. But Gas prices now...forget about it

[@kylesoler4139]

Drive it on the weekends. simple. but then you would be paying an arm and a leg for one now.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@OldsCutlass1978 thanks for clarifying, I knew there was a 455 in there somewhere, but didn't know they cut that engine option out for the last couple years. it's just as well, since emissions were so bad I think the 455 only made something like 180 horsepower.

[@Qnickel27]

Thank god! He has seen the light! And whether it was intentional or not gotta love the Jeremy Clarkson reference... POWEEEER!

[@ScottieDTV]

Awesome!!!...love it Brother...

[@TheSmokingTire]

@mmmmmmaaaaaxxxxxx right, but the point is, the overall architecture is 50 years old. Whatever you want to call it, to sit there and look at it, it's a 50 year old chevy. it's registered as a 1955, and unless you drove it, you'd think it was just another '55. It has lots of new parts in it, but that's the entire point of the pro touring culture. Just because the car has been heavily modified doesn't make it a 2011 Chevy. It's a 1955 Chevy with new parts on it.

[@drewnashty]

The LSX 454 crate is actually an Iron block like the 500ci I mentioned. But the 440 LSX was installed in a 30th Anniversary Camaro with an LT1 but with LT4 heads and intake, is that what you were asking? My boss said the 440 was engine dyno'd at just over 700hp. So the owner went from a mediocre 350-370hp LT1 to a built 440 LSX putting out 700hp on pump gas. To accommodate all that power and torque a built 4L65E, built rear-end, uprated suspension, bigger brakes and traction bars were installed.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@irfy86 the body is original, so it's a Pro-touring resto-mod. Not a kit car.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@MrCodPiece what do you mean by "off" the steering wheel angle is a bit canted up, but besides that it was totally fine. The car has more grip than the seats have bolstering though, so you do have to hang on a bit in the corners :)

[@ivanlai0225]

inside and out that thing looks nice. not normally a fan with these kinda thing but my god its a nice package

[@Fiskhamnen]

Thats real craftmenship to build a car like that, not only buy the most expensive sportcar.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@blockheadface clearly, I was referring to old American cars.

[@jeffsteadman2794]

Now that is one awesome piece of work... :)

[@803brando]

those AM chassis flex almost 6.5 inches front to back when you put them on a lift. most flexible frame i have ever come across.

[@juanf4739]

803brando sure doesn’t look like it’s flexing in the turns look pretty solid and stable.

[@bearrett50kal17]

Subaru Blue and Ford White on a modernized Chevy Bel Air? YES PLEASE

[@SoFLaZ06]

that car is truly beautiful. i'll drive that everyday

[@CJAEY]

Form and function at its finest.

[@JimmyKraktov]

The driver kept talking about how great the car handled given the age of the vehicle. It's a brand new vehicle with an old shell covering it. That made him sound like he didn't know what he was driving. Nice car. I would have wheels that made the car a 'sleeper'. I like them 'original' on the outside.

[@richardneva3015]

A car to die for!

[@miketothesupra]

i saw these type of old cars at this Chevrolet dealer in Tacoma, WA. It was a car show

[@jenbill]

Not really a 50 year old car with all the upgrades done still beautiful car

[@tjfreak]

I didn't want to say anything but he keeps making several references to the car as if it is original ? …it's a dream car.

[@amariodom4858]

jenbill1602 sure is

[@TheSmokingTire]

@duffman61089 never before, which is why we made the video in the first place.

[@MazzaFiveOneFour]

I'm in the Chevy community, and let me tell you, those sort of guys exist equally all over. Don't be fooled into thinking only a few car brands have those sort of supporters.

[@lilmarshey]

I loved using this car in Mafia 2, but the game doesnt do any justice to how badass this car is :P

[@Karaseenya]

can you say dream car?? this vehicle is absolutely perfect. i hope i can build something like this one day.

[@11FISHEY]

The company has been around for a long time he tubed my old x funny car in 79 Art has a art and builds race chassis also

[@Mstanglx50]

Awesome review. I want one. Matt, you should work on getting some footage of the 55 Bel Air canyon racing a Ferrari.

[@DampRabbitVideo]

My dream car is similar to this, old sheet metal, new everything else. Fast but still a smooth daily driver. But on a 67-69 barracuda instead of the 55 chevy.

[@Stale_Mahoney]

i'm a welder and i made a custom frame for my Volvo 850 it's not expensive. the price on the other hand, is determined by what material used. producing ''custom'' parts don't need to be expensive, it comes down to what producer you use.

[@ronbranum7858]

unlime your other reviews.... this car has CLASS

[@TheSmokingTire]

@panta22 Comparing a Bel Air to a 1956 Superamerica is like comparing a nice leather jacket to a 20-carat diamond ring. Sure, the Diamond may be more valuable, more rare, and generally more desirable, but that doesn't mean the leather jacket has any less style.

[@NissanTy]

not a big fan of the 50's era cars but this is a beautiful 55 chevy.

[@telada]

I see this as a modern performance car with classic shell and trim rather than an old car with new bits.

[@phildo1048]

wow amazing car. if i had this in the body of a 57 chevy i think id be in heaven.

[@danielolivieri2686]

A Chevy Bel Air is not made to be faster than a supercar, but jus a gorgeous car !

[@Piinkham]

Holy throwback smoking tire vid

[@philbarrows2431]

@irocz0r You are part right - the 150 will always be a post, but the Be lAir was available in 2door, 4door with and without posts. -In all combos. Yes, there is even a 4door hardtop, though not too common.

[@chrisdeez2176]

but when you can make an old shoe box handle like a ferrari thats pretty impressive

[@TheSmokingTire]

@irocz0r I think the pillarless design was introduced in 1956, and this is a '55

[@BentleyTypeR]

Ya spend close to $100,000 to get it like that, and when you try to sell it, you're only going to get a couple grand out of it. This is a true story: There is this Mustang at this car collection that is in project condition, it's cyrrent value is $250,000. They are trying to find all of the original parts for it, and they are going to restore it. After their done, it's price tag will be $500,000.

[@Stu282]

I wondered who Art Morrison were after messing around with one of their cars on Gran Turismo 5. Never heard of them before then but it looks like they're doing a nice job.

[@TheSmokingTire]

@manbearpigonabike it didn't originally have them, but it does have them now

[@ITsIMP0RT4NT]

The only thing I think should've been done different is the rear end suspension. I get why he did it that way with the solid rear axle, its more reliable for drag, but then he added an independent front suspension. He tried to make it perform for both canyon carving, and drag racing, but I think it would've been better off being built for just one or the other. I guess I'm just the type of person that would rather be great at one thing vs only good at 2 things. Of course for people who can only afford one toy and are a bit older, this gives them a car with classic styling, quick 1/4 ET's (most importantly reliably), while still being able to have fun on twisty roads with confidence so I do get the idea behind the car and I think its an awesome car Im in no way, shape, or form hating on it. I'm just the type that likes my cars built for one purpose only lol. Comfort, straight lines, or apex's.

[@ArticLight0]

Now that's a fancy vehicle!

[@nhatters]

What a gorgeous car.