1957 Chevy Bel Air - Project American Heroes, Part 5

Dakota Digital builds this 1957 Chevy digital instrument system, which features speedometer (0-255 mph or km/h), tachometer, oil pressure, water temp, voltmeter, and fuel level gauges. The instrument system also includes odometer, trip odometer, resetable service odometer, and an hour meter.

The Dakota Digital Instrument system fits perfectly into the stock 1957 dash bezel. In addition to the already stated features, the dash is capable of supplying various performance calculations, including 0-60 mph, quarter-mile timer and speed display, high-speed recall and high-rpm recall.

Installation is simple, and promises to keep the pilot of Project American Heroes well-informed with an automatic transmission gear indicator, as well as turn signals, high beam, and parking brake indicators.

The Electric-Life 99022 power window kit used in the '57 allows control of all four windows in one four-button panel located on the driver door panel. Each passenger area is equipped with a single switch. Keeping wiring to a minimum, a sedan-specific harness is also included.

Electric-Life power window regulators for front and rear windows arrive with the motors attached. Detailed instructions make installations and conversions a simple bolt-on procedure.

Studs fit through the factory holes in the rear passenger side panel, and hardware is attached for installation of the Electric-Life regulator.

Roadster Shop fits metal into the existing Cars Inc. doors for a clean, uncluttered shaved door handle look. Eliminating the door handles requires the use of Electric-Life's 99000 shaved door handle kit that includes all necessary parts and equipment, including remote.

Electric-Life billet wire looms for their shaved door handle kit allow for a clean installation for running wires from the door into the post by employing a simple billet collar and set screw. Insulated with a Teflon lining, the billet wire looms provide radio frequency insulation and waterproofing.

The kit comes with two high-powered 60-pound solenoids operated through a power driver 4-channel keyless-entry control module. It comes complete with relay pack, wire harness and mounting hardware. The Electric-Life billet emergency kit gives an added sense of security for manual entry into the ragtop should the power fail.

Classic Auto Air will keep this car's future owner nice and cool. There was a day when convertibles didn't come with air, but in our day, A/C is a necessity in any street machine build. Classic Auto Air has kits for a wide range of classic cars and trucks.

Classic Auto Air supplies a firewall plate for running the lines through to the compressor and condenser, along with a provision for the heater core inlet and outlet pipes.

With the A/C mocked up, attention shifts to the convertible top mechanism. Cars Inc. supplied the entire bow mechanism, which is absolutely flawless in quality and fit.

All 1957 Chevy guys around the world owe Cars Inc. a huge note of gratitude for making the entire convertible top bow assembly available to restorers. Jim Taylor of The Roadster Shop works on the installation of the convertible top bow assembly.