396/425blr's 65 Beautiful Belair

[Xplantdad]

Belair62 advised me to send you these pictures of my 65 Belair for Members Rides. I bought this car in 1986 as second owner with low miles for $1600. I used it as a work car for two years then retired it in 1988 to the garage.

In 1998 I decided to restore the car. It was mostly rust-free except for trunk and rear quarters. (rear window leak). After grinding away rust I decided it was too bad to save, and didn't like looks of the aftermarket quarters.

A friend of mine in Apache Junction found me a complete car minus engine 327/250 stick 12 bolt, RUST-FREE.

Off to Arizona we went. After thinking long and hard I decided to restore the Belair the way I would have bought it new. Using the Arizona shell/frame I combined the two cars to end up with this final product. I know to the purist this is a bastard, but it is what I wanted.

I make no claims to it's originality and it will not be sold as a fake to make profit. I plan to leave it to my son.

Okay, the engine is a 68 L/78 with minor internal upgrades, all the factory h-d parts, plus L/88 rods, valves, and cam. the rest of the components are 65 L/78 dated parts. 11" h-d clutch, 69 M-21 trans, 3.73 posi 12 bolt.

All work was done by myself and close friend Gary Martin. The engine machine shop and interior seat/headliner were farmed out. There seem to be two reactions to the car, they don't even see it...or WOW!

Dennis Davis (396/425 blr)

P.S. also added a picture of my numbers 68 427 Impala