SP Rides: The Prince of Bel Air
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Garrett Perreira
Age: 38
Occupation: Instrument Technician, Queens Medical Center
Hobbies: Low-riding
Year/Make/Model: 1957 Chevy Bel Air
Color: Matador Red
Engine: 350 Chevy Motor, 350 transmission CPP chrome brake booster, Speed Queen billet aluminum radiator, Engineered Cooling Products chrome electric fan, March Performance serpentine system, Edelbrock Enduroshine carburetor, air cleaner, and valve covers, Dual Borla exhausts
Exterior: Refreshed emblems, chrome bits, and bumpers
Interior: Custom upholstery, new tilt steering column, original interior
Suspension: New tie rod ends, center links, pinion arms, 500 power steering box
Wheels/Tires/Brakes: 13-inch Zenith wire wheels, Premium Sport tires in 5.20-13, Oldskool Art Customs Front Disc Brakes
Garrett Perreira has been a low-rider lover for quite some time, even before high school. Never one to show interest in racing or muscle cars, he’s always preferred the rides that go low and slow. His first car, in fact, was a cut-coil ’84 Buick Regal that he slowly transformed into a proper low-slung machine. Since then, he’s spent many days rolling low on Hawaii’s roadways.
As for how he ended up with this exquisite 1957 Chevy Bel Air, Perreira essentially traded an original 1931 Chevy 3-window for his uncle’s Bel Air. Of course, Perreira knew exactly what he was getting with the Bel Air, and a simple swap of keys was all it took to take possession of this rare beauty.
Still, this car needed a bit of TLC after Perreira took control of it. Since the Bel Air came with no brakes, the first step was to request a complete front brake disc conversion from Arthur Medina and Oldskool Art Customs.
Additionally, the entire top half the 350 Chevy engine had to be reworked with a stunning set of parts that screams bling and power. Among the items added were a polished intake manifold and an Edelbrock Enduroshine carburetor, not to mention an air cleaner, valve covers and chrome CPP brake booster. Speed Queen provided some proper cooling via a billet radiator and an Engineered Cooling Products electric fan. The engine bay is immaculate and, thanks to Infinite Machine Works, the engine purrs like a kitten.
Interior-wise, everything is extraordinary. The lush, original seats have been reupholstered while the original OEM components dazzle in the color-matched paint.
The underbody was refreshed as well with some sweet components. Brand new tie rod ends and center links were added, as were an upgraded 500 power steering box and pinion arms. A new tilt steering column was installed to help control the power surging through the 350 transmission. In addition, Dual Borla exhausts protrude from the rear.
This ride is stunning at all times of day. Even the Matador Red paint shifts from brilliant red to bright orange, depending on the angle of the light source. The gorgeous 13-inch Zenith wire wheels gleam from underneath the glowing red-orange wheel arches, while white-walled Premium Sport tires in 5.20-13 size keep everything rolling along smoothly.
As you can see, this beautiful ride has been enhanced further under Perreira’s ownership. He has big plans for this Chevy, including the eventual installation of a hydraulic suspension setup. For now, though, he can’t help but feel like royalty whenever he’s cruising in this classy piece of Americana.
