Brown’s Classic Autos Celebrates Barrett-Jackson 45 with Custom American Muscle
What’s Walt Brown Jr. bringing to the 45th Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale?
For The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions®, the owner of Brown’s Classic Autos in Scottsdale is offering two examples of American muscle, both handsomely outfitted in signature bow ties: a ’57 Chevrolet Belair (Lot #1459) and a 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS (#1465).
Since 1953, Brown’s Classic Autos, 9024 E. Bahia Drive, has provided car enthusiasts a full automotive menu, including restoration, builds, service, consignment and sales of collector cars and worldwide auction representation. The showroom is a block north of WestWorld, site of Barrett-Jackson 45, just off the Loop 101 between Frank Lloyd Wright and Bell Road in north Scottsdale.
The ’57 Belair is iconic Americana updated with on-the-cusp technology. Brown and his crew of professionals completed a frame-off rotisserie restoration in December 2015, installing a Chevy Performance 430-horsepower LS3, mated to a 4L65E transmission. The ’50s classic sits on an Art Morrison chassis, with RideTech adjustable coil-over suspension and custom 20-inch Deluxe whitewall Wheels.
“The motor, transmission and chassis have all been painted in beautiful Sierra Gold, the same color as the body that we stripped completely down to metal and resprayed in this show- quality color,” Walt says. “All of the stainless is brand new, and the firewall was smoothed and painted as well.”
The hardware on the Art Morrison chassis is chromed, adding to the detail on this amazing Brown’s Classic Autos build. The Deluxe wheels were designed to look like a 15-inch wheel with whitewall tires. “The wheel has an actual lip to simulate the whitewall, while still being able to run low-profile tires,” Walt explains.
Also included are a set of 18- and 20-inch Intro Wheels. “Each set of these billet wheels really changes the appearance and attitude of the car,” he says. In addition, a Continental kit, fenderskirts and dual antennas finish off the highly optioned but factory-looking new resto-mod.
Underneath, the Belair is all new as well: RideTech suspension, 6-piston front and 4-piston rear Wilwood Power Disc Brakes with stainless brake lines, Strange rear end and upgraded front and rear sway bars. “This car will run and drive better than most brand new cars, with a look of the Tri Fives that cannot be rivaled by today’s vehicles,” Walt says. “No expense has been spared!”
The Chevelle Malibu SS was rotisserie restored and also finished in December 2015. The resto-mod features a new L92 6.2L V-8 Chevy powerplant with 400-plus horsepower and a 4L60E paddle shift transmission.
“Nothing on this Chevelle was left untouched,” Walt explains. “The frame was removed and powdercoated. The trim was removed and powdercoated black. The body was stripped to metal and finished in a beautiful Metallic Green. The firewall was smoothed for a nice, finished look, and we installed Ring Brothers black door handles.”
The interior was gutted and now features a custom black interior with suede leather accents. New carbon fiber ultra-lite Autometer Gauges are mounted in the dash, and a Billet Specialties steering wheel was added onto the Ididit tilt column. The power convertible top was rebuilt and features all new components.
Down below, tubular a-arms and upgraded sway bars were employed for a better ride with QA1 adjustable coilovers. The one-off SS rides on staggered-18 inch Billet Specialties wheels with 245/40s in the front and 275/35s in the rear. And, a Vintage Air air-conditioning system keeps this hot ride cool in the summer heat.
“This custom Chevelle is new from top to bottom,” Walt says. “Put the top town and enjoy a great classic American muscle ride.”
“We are thrilled to be able to bring these two great Chevy’s to the spectacular 45th Scottsdale auction and celebrate this event with Craig Jackson and his group,” Brown says. “We are grateful to be a Barrett-Jackson client for so many years and wish them well as they begin their march toward their 50th anniversary. Barrett-Jackson’s continued success inspires Brown’s Classic Autos to keep building great cars.”
For more information on Brown’s Classic Autos, see BrownsClassicAutos.com or call 480.998.4300. For more on the 45th Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, see barrett-jackson.com or call 480.421.6694.