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Cool Is As Cool Does By Rich Boyd
The moral of the movie is: Forest Gump is cool, even if he's a little short on IQ, but Jim also has a knack for "the art of cool." His deep-red '62 Chevy Bel Air is the essence of a "cool ride," and he cruises the Monterey, California, area, near the Bubba Gump restaurant, gathering slack-jawed stares from people he meets. What's cool about that? Jim's ride is show-worthy, and some guys would hesitate to risk road-rashing such immaculate paint--but not Jim!
The black-cherry Bel Air started as a frame-off budget-rebuild when the "Oh yeah, but we could..." comments started. As one thing led to another, the hardtop improved in fit and finish emerging as a super straight and stunning driver that actually won, no, not a trip to the White House, but a class award at the 1998 Grand National Roadster Show.
GM's Chevrolet Division was riding high in the early '60s with a new body style every year. In this case, the Bel Air's classic exterior hasn't seen extensive modification, just cleaned up with a new grille texture and shaved details. What's most obvious is the exceptional paint and leather interior. The body panels are block-sanded to a remarkably high quality of surface development, with PPG's '97 BMW Red paint applied. G&R Collision and Body Repair representative Greg Lamb is credited with installation and alignment of all of the new rubber and trim pieces--our compliments to the G&R crew members for their efforts.
The hardtop's interior is another example of superior craftsmanship. Rich Santana stitched the handbuilt seats (that comfortably fit Jim's non-wounded buttocks), door panels, quarter panels and headliner, with a Palomino O.E.M. vinyl that color-matches the painted dash panel. A Billet Specialties half-wrap steering wheel adds a tasteful yet modern touch. And there are vintage tunes available from the Kenwood stereo and 10-CD changer mounted in the trunk installed by "The Stereo Man."
Under the hood resides a trusty but trepid 327 ci Chevy engine with Corvette valve covers. However, a more spirited TPI engine is in the process of being groomed to replace the less spectacular small-block.
With eight full sheets of sound deadener throughout the body, the sweet Chevy rides serenely silently. Jim can elect to enjoy the sonorous exhaust or the Kenwood AM/FM/CD player wired to Kicker speakers. Or, he may simply ponder whether life really is like a box of chocolates.
Rich Santana created custom door panels with storage pockets and hidden speakers in the panel. The seats are also custom crafted and covered in matching Palomino vinyl. Note that the floor carpet has matching throw mats.
The 10-CD changer is mounted in the trunk. Check out the neat disc-storage rack and the panel that hides unsightly maintenance necessities.
The Bel Air sits great with Eaton Springs in the rear and Master Power spindles in front. Can you appreciate what went into creating such an unobstructed view from the Bel Air's unique greenhouse? Rarely have such delicate roof-pillars been engineered.
An under-dash panel covers the heater area that typically is left open. A Billet Specialties wheel tops off the stock column in front of rebuilt stock instruments.
At the present, a trusty but tepid 327 ci Chevy with Corvette valve covers propels the Bel Air down the road quite comfortably. A more visually exciting TPI Chevy small-block installation is in progress.
