FEATURE
Images by NotStock Photographyhe ’62 Chevy is iconic in several ways; the sexy lines were attractive in 1962 and remain so over 60 years later. The interior’s futuristic-looking design defies age, there was room enough for six people to ride in comfort, and the trunk space seemed to be never ending. To many vintage car enthusiasts, the bubbletop’s classic style only gets better with time. We’ll just say the car is aging gracefully. Furthermore, there is no need for aesthetic improvements as the car is pretty much perfect as-is. The same can be said for many early ’60s cars, but there’s just something about the ’62 Chevy that puts it in a class all its own.
He came upon this ’62 for sale online but it was located in Tennessee and Jim was on the West Coast—more than halfway across the county. “The car looked really nice in the photos I saw online, but as we all know that can be deceiving, so I had my good friend Tim Strange from Strange Motion Rod & Custom have a look at the car before I jumped in,” Jim notes. “Strange vouched for the car’s quality, so I bought the car and had it shipped out to my home in Washington.”
Vehicle: ’62 Chevy Bel Air
Type: Chevrolet Performance LS3
Displacement: 376 ci
Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
Bore: 4.065
Stroke: 3.622
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum L92-style port
Rotating Assembly: Nodular iron crankshaft, powdered metal connecting rods, hypereutectic aluminum pistons
Camshaft: Hydraulic roller 0.551/522 lift, 204/211 duration at 0.050
Induction: Holley Sniper intake manifold
Power Adder: 76mm Precision Turbo
Exhaust: J-Rod & Custom–built 1 7/8-inch stainless headers, custom 3-inch exhaust, Black Widow Neighbor Hater mufflers
Accessory Drive System: Chevrolet Performance CTS-V
Ancillaries: Custom paint on engine by J-Rod, Proform Parts “Chevrolet” script valve covers, K&N air cleaner, Eddie Motorsports hood hinges
Output: 652 hp, 713 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: TREMEC T-56
DrivClutcheshaft: GM
Rear Axle: Currie 9-inch, Yukon Gear 3.90 gears, Trac-Lok limited slip
Front Suspension: Ridetech 2-inch drop spindles, double-adjustable coilover shocks, and sway bar, and 605 steering box
Rear Suspension: Ridetech four-link, double-adjustable coilover shocks, Panhard bar, and sway bar
Brakes: Baer 14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers, Master Power electric booster, Baer proportioning valve
Wheels: Billet Specialties Legacy 2, 19×8.5 front, 20×10 rear
Tires: Nexen N’Fera SU1 235/35R19 front, 275/35R20
Upholstery: Stock reproduction
Installation: J-Rod & Custom (Black Diamond, WA)
Seats: Stock reproduction
Shifter: Hurst
Instrumentation: Dakota Digital VHX
HVAC: Vintage Air
Radio: Factory
Wiring: American Autowire by J-Rod & Custom
Insulation: DEI Boom Mat
Bodywork and Paint: N/A
Paint: Black
Front Bumper: Stock with custom intercooler mount and chin spoiler by J-Rod & Custom
Taillights: United Pacific LED
The team pulled the overweight, underpowered 348 and swapped in a Chevrolet Performance LS3. Although the engine internals remain largely unchanged, the J-Rod crew, likely Chad’s idea, incorporated a Precision Turbo 76mm turbo into the mix to fulfill Jim’s pursuit for increased power. That certainly did the trick as the 376ci LS now delivers 652 hp and 712 lb-ft of torque.
From there, the J-Rod crew snazzed up the LS with black Proform Parts valve covers and treated the Holley Sniper intake and custom intake tube to a deep gloss black for a brilliant, custom appearance. That dark demeanor is complemented by custom-built inner fenders and smoothed firewall offset by a pair of stainless custom J-Rod 1 7/8-inch headers. Black Widow Neighbor Haters top off the custom 3-inch stainless exhaust.
Enabling the stock X-frame to dance just right, a Ridetech four-link rear suspension system features Ridetech double-adjustable coilover shocks, 350-pound springs, Panhard bar, and sway bar. Up front the stock chassis is aided by Ridetech bits, including 2-inch drop spindles, double-adjustable coilovers, 550-pound springs, tubular control arms, and a sway bar.
Massive Baer 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers reside behind a set of Billet Specialties Legacy 2 wheels (19×8.5 front, 20×10 rear) and take orders from a Master Power Brakes electric booster for effortless pedal pressure, while a Baer proportioning valve ensures proper braking bias.
Part of Jim’s attraction to this particular Bel Air was the deep black paint that appeared flawless in the online images, which was confirmed when Strange inspected the car in person. “Since the bodywork and paint were already completed when I acquired the car, it eliminated what can be a challenging and time-consuming aspect to a project,” Jim notes. “This allowed me to focus on enhancing power and improving handing, along with incorporating some other custom nuances performed by Chad and the J-Rod team.”
Jim’s initial concept was to build “a cruiser with attitude.” Mission accomplished. But he also accomplished creating a ’62 Bel Air infused with a distinct personality that seamlessly mixes in modern driveability while at the same time preserving the car’s original heritage—the aspect that truly elevates this car to extraordinary coolness.
Jim notes that having his two sons, Chad and Jeremy, participate in this project adds an extra layer of significance. “The result is exactly what I had hoped for,” he says. “The car’s modern handling and braking capabilities function exactly as intended. But it’s the thrill of pressing down the accelerator that is so exciting. It’s an experience that never gets old.”
