U.S.-born stunt racer Robert Craig Knievel, better known worldwide as Evel Knievel, was renowned for his exceptional abilities to keep cars in check on track – even such temperamental ones as the Chevy Bel Air. This example was built as an homage to the driver by Lakeside Customs, while the team of AutotopiaLA filmed a video story.
The base vehicle is a 1955 Bel Air, which was torn down to the last screw and restored to as-new condition. While they were at it, the tuners rebuilt the entire suspension on Ridetech Shockwave air-ride components, upgraded the brakes and the axles, and put the freshened-up body on a custom Morrison chassis.
Where things truly get interesting is under the hood. The engine bay is occupied by a monstrous V8 with 11.66 liters (712ci) of displacement volume. Driving a Bel Air may have been a hassle back at the time, but driving one with 1,111 PS (1,096 hp / 817 kW) under the hood is arguably on a whole other level of suicidal.
The transmission tasked with delivering the torque is none other than TCI Turbo 400, a drag strip choice first and foremost. Then again, we wouldn’t blame the owner if they decide to keep it as a garage queen and only occasionally do a quarter-mile run or two.