Last Updated:
Sept. 24, 2018
The Club With A Heart
Welcome to Connecticut Classic Chevy
Members Pride
I had a 1956 Chevy back in high school that I bought from my older brother. After that one was totaled in an accident I always wanted another one.
Since my brother had passed away, my dad and I often talked about restoring a car together. Unfortunately, my dad passed away before we found this car, so I've dedicated this build in memory of both of them.
My wife and I found this 1956 BelAir in December of 2012 for sale online at a garage in Woodstock,CT. Even though it was in relatively "good shape", it needed a total restoration. It was an old drag racer from the 60's & 70's. It eventually ended up sitting in a barn for 30 years from the 80's until we bought it. I hired the seller, Doug Wooton who was the owner of Wooton's Red Line Classic Cars, to restore the car for us. Doug did the initial frame off rotisserie restoration, body, paint and interior.
The body and frame were sandblasted and it looked good considering it was over 57 years old. It had "good bones".
Steve Van Blarcom of Hot Rod Steve's Garage in Wallingford, Ct, did the mechanical upgrades, installed the Vintage Air A/C system, the Classic Auto Sound stereo system, and Dynamat insulation. Most recently Steve installed a Ford 9 inch posi-traction rear end.
In spring of 2016, Rob Gorske of Roade Studio applied his artful talents to airbrush the glove box in memory of my dad and brother.
I joined Ct. Classic Chevy in January of 2013 so I could have a good network of people with the knowledge of undergoing a huge project like this.The club members have been very knowledgeable in helping me with those hard to find parts that are not reproduced.
The car has a 454 c.i. crate engine with a Muncie 4 speed transmission, a Ford 9'' posi rear-end, Vintage Air A/C, 4 wheel power disc brakes, power steering, tilt wheel, black interior with 65 Impala bucket seats and two tone Candy-Apple red & white paint.
We picked up the car in April 2016 and have been enjoying it ever since. We went to several car shows and cruise nights that first season and even have been awarded a few trophies.
Kevin Lennon
In Memory of Ted & Paul Lennon
Kevin Lennon's
'56 Chevy Belair