West Coast Customs Turns a 1955 Bel Air Into Project B-Zero With Tesla Power

West Coast Customs took a longtime client’s 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air and turned it into Project B-Zero by mounting the original body over a stripped Tesla Model 3 Performance rolling chassis. Ryan Friedlinghaus and the shop crew removed the Tesla’s body, confirmed the drivetrain worked by driving the bare platform around the yard, then began the long process of fitting the Bel Air shell on top. Wheelbase differences forced them to reshape the rear wheel openings so the proportions would still look right once the body sat correctly.

The exterior is painted cherry matte red, giving it a sleek appearance that truly stands out against the gloss black trim, which replaces the traditional glossy chrome aspect. A special air ride setup supports the 20-inch wheels, allowing the car to descend low enough for the tires to be tucked up tight against the fenders. It has been modified with contemporary LED headlights and taillights, but the classic grille and rounded body lines remain unchanged. Whoever designed the back of the car created a really amazing unique trunk design and included a hidden charging outlet so that the Tesla can plug into a supercharger without looking out of place.

Inside, you’ll still find the standard Tesla steering wheel and center screen, as well as a very basic interior arrangement with a splash of color from some red dashboard trim. The seats are upholstered in a lovely black alcantara and suede combination, with a really nice hex pattern stitching in white on the black, and the back seat has been redesigned to fit the earlier interior design. The good news is that autopilot and self-parking still work properly, and you can continue to use the rest of the model 3’s driver aids.

Tesla’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces 510 horsepower (as rated). Yeah, it’s fast; going from 0 to 60 in under three seconds is no joke. The 82kw-hr battery pack provides a decent 280-310 miles per charge, but this is around 20 miles less than a stock model 3, which is to be expected given the old-school body and increased weight of the classic form.

On the other hand, charging is extremely quick, reaching up to 250kW, and a 10-80% charge takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Lisa Evans (who works for the company the car was built for) took the car for a spin and reported that it handles really well while still looking like the Bel Air it started out as. The finished project B-Zero is now officially West Coats Customs’ first full electric Bel Air, with a 1955 body that drives like a modern Tesla.