Chad Johnson imported his ’57 Bel Air Chev from California before commencing extensive restoration works. Photos: Geoff Vivian.
Sparkling crimson paintwork and chrome in the summer sunlight is the first thing you notice about Chad Johnson’s Chevrolet 1957 Bel Air.
Johnson bought the grand old car in California, had it shipped to Fremantle, and left it for some time in Perth for extensive mechanical work before bringing it to Esperance.
“It was driveable but unlicenced, and because we’ve gone to a whole new drive line it all had to be engineered properly,” he said.
“Basically we’ve gone to a big block Chev with a turbo 400 transmission, a nine-inch diff and suspension with a lot better shocks and springs, a lot better wheels, tyres, and paint work.
“The interior is still as I got it, but I started tidying that up as well — it hasn’t been touched basically since I got it from America.”
Car and driver are heading to Perth Motorplex for Motorvation 39 later this month, but other than that his ambitions for the car are very simple.
“Drive it and enjoy it,” he said.
