1957 Chevrolet 150 Business Coupe Restomod

The concept for this build was to create a vehicle that not only showcases its powerful twin turbo engine but also excels in handling, braking and acceleration under any road conditions. We aimed to transform the classic, softer aesthetic of the '57 model into an aggressive exterior that matches its formidable power plant.

What arrived as a tidy, running 1957 Chevy Business Coupe quickly revealed a very different story once stripped. Beneath the paint were extensive rust issues, poor past repairs, and a chassis so twisted it could not be saved - turning what was meant to be a simple refresh into a full ground-up restoration.

If you're going to reimagine the most recognizable muscle car worldwide, you might as well throw the rule book out and go big!

Body & Exterior

The factory fit and finish of the 1957 Chevy has been comprehensively reimagined, with all body panels and bumpers refined to align perfectly with both the car’s form and function. By stripping away chrome and selected factory features, the iconic ’57 silhouette has been brought into a new era - updated for the present day while still retaining its unmistakable class.
Finished in a custom, ultra-dark green candy paint ‘Jade Nightmare’ developed with PPG, the car maintains a fully ‘murdered-out’ aesthetic that subtly highlights the body lines and contours under changing light. Matte black accents replace all original chrome for a cohesive, aggressive presence.

Key exterior and engine components—including the air intake, ram horns, rims, and badges—were powder-coated in Prismatic Powders ’Fools Penny’, injecting a bold splash of colour to complement the ‘murdered-out’ look.

Exterior modifications include custom one-piece tucked front and rear bumpers, with the rear set flush to the lower boot opening and built-in reverse camera. The front bumper integrates Stedi black reflector LED driving lights, complemented by Stedi black reflector LED headlights. A custom alloy routed grille flushed and body-matched trim, shaved locks, Kindig door handles, and a custom side body mould running front to rear further clean up the profile. Ring Brothers painted billet door mirrors complete the exterior, while hidden LED strip indicators front and rear maintain a minimalist appearance.

Engine & Drivetrain

At the heart of the build is a fully worked twin-turbo 350ci small-block Chevy V8 engine producing in an excess of 1,000 horsepower. The engine features fuel injection controlled by a Haltech ECU, a Davies Craig electric water pump, and a fully custom alternator and power steering pump mounting setup.

Garrett twin turbos feed through custom equal-length turbo manifolds with charged air cooled by a front-mounted intercooler. Cooling is managed by a PWR radiator with a custom fan shroud and Spal fan, along with dedicated oil, power steering and transmission coolers - all discreetly hidden behind a custom bullnose cover.

A fabricated 135mm sunken firewall, double-walled and insulated, allows for improved engine placement and heat management, supported by custom front cab to chassis mounts. Fuel supply is handled by an alloy tank fitted with a triple in-tank fuel pump system, delivering the flow and reliability required for high horsepower operation. Ring Brothers bonnet hinges, hidden twin air cleaners behind the headlights, and detailed engine bay fabrication elevate both performance and presentation.

Suspension & Braking

The original chassis has been replaced with a modified Art Morrison chassis, fully painted along with the underbody for a clean, cohesive finish. Suspension consists of full coilover front and rear suspension with a four-link rear setup, paired with Strange 9-inch LSD differential and axles.

Custom fabrication extends underneath, with an alloy fuel tank and bash plate mounted to the chassis and accessed through the boot, rear-mounted A/C condenser with twin fans, custom exhaust heat shields, a custom tailshaft and a twin 3” exhaust system with balance pipe and custom hangers.

Rolling stock consists of custom-made American Racing VN511 Salt Flat wheels - 18x10 rear and 18x8 front – painted and powder coated n a two-tone finish and wrapped in 285/40/18 and 235/45/18 semi slick tyres.

Wilwood brakes at all four corners with 90-degree under-dash brake booster and paddle box provide serious stopping power to match the car’s performance potential, delivering modern handling, confidence, and control well beyond factory capability.

Interior & Trim

The interior was designed to be classy, clean, functional, and comfortable—capable of handling the car’s performance while offering a quiet, refined cruising experience. Finished entirely in black Nappa leather, the cabin strikes a balance between luxury and aggression.
A reworked right-hand-drive fiberglass dash housing integrated CarPlay navigation, a Dakota Digital gauges, and a relocated, extended glovebox on the passenger side. Audi RS3 power front and rear seats are mounted to fabricated seat bases. A full-length centre console discreetly hides the air-conditioning controls, keeping the interior uncluttered while enhancing everyday usability and safety.

Additional upgrades include a rear-mounted electric air-conditioning system, fabricated transmission tunnel, power windows, deleted front quarter windows, hidden audio system, Flaming River steering column and steering wheel, under-dash wiper motor, keyless entry, and push button start. The boot features a fabricated, concealed battery box along with a hidden subwoofer enclosure and amplifier, maintaining a minimalist interior aesthetic.

Custom Touches

The restoration of this 1957 Chevy is a statement in how far a classic icon can be pushed when tradition is respected - but not obeyed. What began as a tired survivor has been transformed into a fully re-engineered, murdered-out performance machine, blending brutal power, modern engineering, and obsessive attention to detail. From the twin-turbo small-block and Art Morrison chassis to the seamless bodywork, hidden systems, and carefully curated custom touches, every element was designed to enhance both performance and presence. Subtle where it needs to be and unapologetically aggressive everywhere else, this ’57 retains its unmistakable heritage while delivering a level of refinement, capability, and attitude that places it firmly in the modern era. All modifications meet ADR and engineering requirements, making the car fully street legal and ready for everyday driving. It’s not a restoration that looks back - it’s one that redefines what a ’57 Chevy can be.