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1957 Chevy Bel Air - Project American Heroes, Part 5

This Month We Do A Bare-Metal Mock-Up To Ensure The Final Vehicle Will Be Perfect

By Arvid Svendsen, Photography by Arvid Svendsen
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    The Cars Inc. convertible top header is bolted to the bow assembly, and, once again, the fit is perfect.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    The Cars Inc. convertible top header is bolted to the bow assembly, and, once again, the f
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    The convertible top hydraulic cylinders are inserted into position, and bolted to the top and bottom brackets.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    The convertible top hydraulic cylinders are inserted into position, and bolted to the top
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    The convertible top pump is mounted directly under the rear package tray and is first hooked up to the hydraulic lines from the two cylinders, and then fastened to the car.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    The convertible top pump is mounted directly under the rear package tray and is first hook
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    With the convertible top bow assembly and related parts bolted in, Project American Heroes provides a silhouette of its top-up profile.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    With the convertible top bow assembly and related parts bolted in, Project American Heroes
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    Finishing up some items under the hood, Tom Gottschalk attaches the Flex-a-lite dual electric fans to the radiator using the supplied nylon stud and fasteners for the simple, yet effective "through core" installation.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Top
    Finishing up some items under the hood, Tom Gottschalk attaches the Flex-a-lite dual elect
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Electric Fans
    The hydraulic lines are attached to the cylinders and run back to the pump.
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Electric Fans
    An extremely low profile allows the lightweight Flex-a-lite dual electric fans to fit where others don't. The combination of ease of "through core" installation, increased horsepower, extended water pump life, and improved gas mileage make this package unbeatable.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Electric Fans
    An extremely low profile allows the lightweight Flex-a-lite dual electric fans to fit wher
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Radiator
    The Flex-a-lite radiator features the Flex-a-fit side tank, which makes for simplified installation of the radiator. T-channels in the side tank allow the radiator mounting brackets to slide up and down each channel. The radiator can be repositioned, both vertically and horizontally by simply loosening the bolts provided.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Radiator
    The Flex-a-lite radiator features the Flex-a-fit side tank, which makes for simplified ins
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Radiator
    Flex-a-lite radiators are all aluminum with 2-row core, 1-inch/26mm tubes, and three different core sizes with inlets on either the left or right side of the tank (inlet 1.5-inch and 1.75-inch outlet). Suffice it to say, the 717hp Smeding Performance big-block we built for this Tri-Five will have no problems staying cool on both freeways and fairgrounds.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Radiator
    Flex-a-lite radiators are all aluminum with 2-row core, 1-inch/26mm tubes, and three diffe
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Radiator
    Using the same mounting hardware as the Flex-a-lite fans, the A/C condenser and trans cooler are attached to the radiator.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Radiator
    Using the same mounting hardware as the Flex-a-lite fans, the A/C condenser and trans cool
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Wheels
    On the way out the door, the boys rolled in the spectacular Intro wheels and Nitto tires that will be mounted on the '57.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Wheels
    On the way out the door, the boys rolled in the spectacular Intro wheels and Nitto tires t
SOURCES
The Roadster Shop
http://www.roadstershop.com
Flaming River Industries
Berea
OH
8-00/-648-8022
flamingriver.com
Cars Inc. DAKOTA DIGITAL
800-593-4160
www.dakotadigital.com
Electric-Life Flex-A-Lite
8-00/-851-1610
www.flex-a-lite.com
Heidt's Hot Rod Shop
111 Kerry Ln.
Wauconda
IL  60084
8-00/-841-8188
www.heidts.com
Classic Auto Air-Texas
Classic Auto Air-Florida
By Arvid Svendsen
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