GMonster Chevy Bel Air: The Monster of 1957

There are cars that make you stop and stare, and then there’s the GMonster, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air that commands your attention like a rock star taking the stage. Back in 2014, SA HotRods Magazine gave us a glimpse of this beast, a creation by none other than Bodie Stroud, a name synonymous with mind-blowing custom builds. Now, a decade later, RestoMod has decided it’s time to dust off the photos and pay tribute to one of the most jaw-dropping Tri-Five Chevys ever to grace the streets.
 


Bodie Stroud: A Hot Rod Legend in the Making

Bodie Stroud’s journey is the stuff of American dreams. From humble beginnings as a heavy diesel mechanic, he climbed the ranks over 15 years, only to realize his true calling lay in the world of custom hot rods. In 2007, he took the plunge and opened Bodie Stroud Industries, a small shop in North Hollywood, California. Fast forward to today, and Bodie is recognized as one of the most talented and visionary custom car builders on the planet.

With a knack for blending aesthetics with mechanics, Bodie has created some of the most talked-about cars in the custom world, including the legendary 1960 Starliner “Scarliner” and Tim Allen’s exquisite 427 COPO Camaro. But for Bodie, one car has always loomed large—the 1957 Chevy Bel Air.

A Dream Realized: The GMonster is Born

Bodie’s love affair with the ‘57 Bel Air began in his childhood, mesmerized by his father’s car. The chrome, the turquoise dash—it was love at first sight. But it wasn’t until a visit from his childhood friend, James Cole, that Bodie had the chance to create his own version of this classic. James, who had previously owned a ‘56 Bel Air, came to Bodie with a simple request: build him a ‘57 Bel Air with a big block engine, and make sure it matches his wife’s “Blue My Mind” nail polish.

With those marching orders, Bodie was off to the races.

Crafting the Beast: Engineering Meets Art

The GMonster isn’t just a car; it’s a masterpiece of engineering and design. Bodie started by reworking the stock chassis to accommodate a custom four-link rear suspension and his own bolt-on Tri-Five front suspension. Both utilize Bodie’s patented EZ-Aline system, making alignment changes a breeze, even with the wheels in place. RideTech coil-overs provide the perfect balance of damping and ride height adjustability, ensuring this Bel Air drives as good as it looks.

The wheel and tire package is nothing short of spectacular. Up front, 19 x 8.5-inch Rushforth wheels are wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force tires, while the rear sports massive 20 x 12-inch Rushforths clad in Mickey Thompson Sportsman rubber. Stopping power comes from six-piston Wilwood calipers gripping 13-inch rotors at all four corners, ensuring the GMonster stops as fiercely as it accelerates.

Under the hood lies the heart of the beast: a monstrous 509 cubic inch big block Chevy engine from QMP Racing. This engine, coupled with a Kinsler Dragon Claw EFI system, pumps out a staggering 800 horsepower on 91 octane pump gas. A custom stainless steel exhaust setup from MagnaFlow ensures that the GMonster not only performs but also sounds like a thunderstorm on wheels.

The Devil’s in the Details: Interior and Electronics

Inside, the GMonster is a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern luxury. The cabin stays cool thanks to a Vintage Air system, while the fine black leather upholstery with contrasting silver stitching from Corona Concepts offers a touch of class. The billet steering wheel and column from Flaming River, combined with Dakota Digital instruments, keep the driver in command. And when it’s time to blast some tunes, a Kenwood seven-inch touchscreen double-DIN head unit, coupled with Power Bass speakers, ensures you’ll hear every note, even over the roar of that big block.

A Monster on the Road

The GMonster isn’t just a showpiece; it’s a driving machine. Power is sent through a beefed-up 4L80E transmission, courtesy of TCI, to a Strange-built Ford nine-inch rear end, all connected by a custom three-inch aluminum driveshaft from Inland Empire. With this setup, the GMonster is ready to handle anything the road—or track—can throw at it.

Legacy of a Legend

It’s tough to take a car as iconic as the Tri-Five Chevy and make it new, but Bodie Stroud has done just that with the GMonster. He’s taken a car we’ve all seen a million times and reimagined it in a way that’s both modern and familiar. The GMonster is more than just a car; it’s a statement, a testament to what’s possible when you combine passion, skill, and a little bit of daring.

Bodie Stroud didn’t just build a car; he built a legend. The GMonster is proof that with the right vision, even the most familiar classics can be reborn into something extraordinary. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why the world pays attention when Bodie Stroud opens the doors to his shop and rolls something out.

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