AJ Meadows’ all-patina 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air is perhaps the perfect HOT ROD Power Tour vehicle. Its well-worn, all-original blue paint gives it a distinct character and a carefree attitude about minor scratches or dents. However, beneath its aged exterior lies a modern powerhouse and state-of-the-art components.
The heart of Meadows’ Bel Air is a Chevrolet Performance LT4 crate engine. This supercharged engine, producing an impressive 650 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, ensures the car performs as well as it looks. The LT4’s reliability is well-known, making it a fitting choice for long road trips and power-packed adventures.
“Everything you don’t see is brand new and super nice and then everything you can see on the outside looks patina and a little rusty still,” said Meadows, a native of West Texas, at ZMax Dragway during the Charlotte stop of this year’s Power Tour.
Initially, Meadows found the car online, drawn by its original paint and authentic 1950s charm. The Bel Air was still running with its factory-installed straight-six engine and Powerglide transmission. Though he left the paint mostly untouched, Meadows decided to upgrade the car to meet the demands of the Power Tour.
Pairing the LT4 engine with a Chevrolet Performance 8L90-E eight-speed automatic transmission, Meadows added cruise control and paddle-shifting capabilities through Speartech. This setup ensures smooth and powerful driving, with the transmission designed to handle up to 715 lb.-ft. of torque.
Meadows enhanced the engine’s performance with a Wegner front accessory drive kit and a Wizard Cooling aluminum radiator. Outlaw Performance in Lubbock, Texas, crafted a custom exhaust system to complete the engine upgrades.
To improve the car’s drivability and stance, Meadows selected a Roadster Shop FAST TRACK chassis, known for its low ride and superior handling. The chassis features independent front and rear suspension and coilover shocks, providing a smooth and controlled ride.
“They did a great job, everything dropped in and bolted up, the body dropped on, there were no clearance issues,” Meadows noted. “You have to do some metal fab work to get it to fit, but Roadster Shop did their part for sure in making sure that the LT4 and 8L90 fit like a champ.”
The Bel Air rides on Forgeline wheels with Michelin tires, ensuring it grips the road effectively, while Baer brakes provide reliable stopping power.
The interior of the Bel Air was refurbished by a shop in Midland, Texas. It now features TMI seats, Vintage Air setup, and Dakota Digital gauges, blending modern comfort with classic style.
A lifelong Chevrolet fan, Meadows owns several other notable vehicles, including a Duramax diesel-powered 1954 Chevy pickup, a turbo LS-powered ’69 Chevelle, and an LS-powered ’58 Brookwood wagon. His daily driver is a 2015 Camaro Z/28.
Meadows has been a regular participant in the HOT ROD Power Tour since 2012, joined by his wife, mother, and 90-year-old grandmother in a C5 Z06 Corvette. His grandmother’s influence sparked his enduring love for Chevrolet.
“The first couple of years was just to see the country and to see what was out there,” he said. “The more you do, the more people you meet. It’s just amazing. The venues are great. Having Chevrolet out here is great. That’s the reason we keep coming back.”
Meadows’ collection showcases his appreciation for modern performance, and his 1954 Chevy Bel Air exemplifies how classic style and contemporary power can coexist beautifully. As he continues to explore the capabilities of LS and LT engines, his passion for both old and new technology keeps him ahead of the curve.
“The older I get, it seems the older I like the cars, but the reliability is nice,” Meadows said of his LS and LT-powered vehicles. “The LS is still stupid popular, but with the arrival of the LT and the aftermarket support, it’s nice to kind of stay with the times. This is my first LT swap and I’ll probably do more.”
Source: chevrolet.com/the-block
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