Wheels Galleries

A big-bodied car like the jet black Bel Air deserves a big power plant; Wheeler opted to rebuild the 454 cubic inch Chevy V-8 that was in the car when he bought it.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Dan Wheeler's '66 Chevy isn't your typical Impala SS hardtop. Instead, it is a super-smooth Bel Air two-door sedan sporting a big block V-8 and eye-catching 18-inch wheels.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

A vintage-style super-stock roll cage was kept in the car despite the fact it will be used primarily as a street car.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

For now, the red cloth factory upholstery remains intact. It's likely to be replaced by tan leather and a refurbished stock dashboard.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The two-door `post' body shows off the quality of body and paint work that went into the big black Bel Air.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The front view is essentially unchanged from showroom stock condition; Air Ride suspension at all four corners allows Wheeler to drop the car right down on its frame for static display purposes, or hike it up a few inches for highway travel.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission gets its commands from a B&M ratchet-style shifter mounted on the floor hump.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The brawny Nitto tires tuck neatly inside the rear fender wells.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The previous owner put auxiliary gauges wherever space permitted; they will find a new home when an original, uncut instrument panel is installed in the Bel Air.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The chrome of the 5-spoke Boss 18-inch rims adds extra sparkle to the deep black paint job. Nitto 40-series tires are used front and back.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Although the fender badges indicate a 427 V-8 under the hood, the truth is even bigger, in the form of a 454 cubic inch thumper. The flawless black paint and bodywork was finished by Kammerer Auto Body and Paint.

Link to image | Buy this photo

Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle