Family Car

It all started when Tim Robinson’s aunt bought a brand new ‘57 Chevy BelAir. This was the top-of-the-line model with every option except for air conditioning and a tissue dispenser and she drove it for years. In 1967, however, it was stolen while parked in a church parking lot (some thieves have absolutely no respect for anything). It was recovered, but had been stripped. His aunt started to have it put back to together, however the task was never completed. Tim had always loved that car and in 1985 she gave it to him if he would pay the bill at the shop where it was sitting, still unrestored.

He trailered it home and spent two years putting the car back like it was when it was new. When his son borrowed the Chevy in 1996, he had many ideas for “improving” it. Tim agreed, as long as nothing was changed that could not be readily unchanged and all original parts were kept. His son complied, but pushed that envelope as far as it would stretch. With Tim’s help, he dropped in a Chevy 383 CID “stroker” engine mated to a Turbo 350 auto trans. He added front disc brakes. He lowered it by cutting the coil springs, using coil-over shocks. Tim got the car back in 1999. He found that he liked the way it ran and handled so much that he has left it modified, but he still has everything his son removed safely stored. Although he has no plans to return it to stock and doubts his son ever will, there is always the next generation to consider. After all, it has been in the same family since it was new, a half a century ago, and is still running strong.

Story & photos by Roamin Angel Ron C. ©2007