This is what happens when an auto enthusiast goes to an auction

"Torque Affair" (torqueaffair) 09/13/2014 at 14:24 • Filed to: car collection

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The plan from the beginning was just to get an '03 Dodge Viper. Shawn did his research and knew exactly what he wanted. And he found it and bought it.

His wife, Lorraine, however spotted a car that her grandfather used to own many years ago - a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. She loved the winged look and the Saturday Night Red color - so much so that she immediately bid on it. It was love at first sight. So, instead of just driving home just the Viper, Shawn and Lorraine both drove their newly purchased cars home.

Shawn is an auto enthusiast in the truest sense. His daily driver is his 2003 Porsche Carrera 4S, and the Viper is something he really wanted. We went out for drives in both of his cars which were great in their own ways. But what he really had his mind on lately was the '56 Bel Air.

Shawn knows a lot of people that do work on cars and restorations and so he called upon his friend to overhaul the interior and the Bel Air's 350 cubic-inch motor. A few thousand dollars later, the car was as good as it could be for really not that much money. Shawn could actually sell this car for a profit since they got a great deal at the auction.

The loud, rumbling exhaust sounded great, and since in the early days you really didn't have worry about emissions and having things like the catalytic converter, the exhaust was right underneath the driver's seat. So you hear and feel every rumble.

The interior was really a job well done. It still retained the classic '56 Bel Air interior with most of the original parts. No air-conditioning, stereo, speakers or any of your modern auto equipment. Definitely no power steering - which means that the massive Bel Air is kind of a challenge to drive at slower speeds but things get way better once you start moving.

While the Viper and Carrera 4S (oh, and also Lorraine's Range Rover) are their daily drivers, the Bel Air is more of a show car. They have already won awards and always show up at local car events. They even have a fake tray of burgers and have created a "Lorraine's Drive-In" brochure.

I wouldn't mind sitting in the car eating one of "Lorraine's Drive-In" burgers - the interior is so open and airy and you sink into your seats just like you would in your living room couch (unless it's from Ikea). Riding along in the Bel Air actually feels like you're in your living room on wheels. Instead of staring at a TV, you're looking out onto the road. And you're slowly bouncing along the road which kind of felt like being on a boat.

Here are a few interesting things Shawn pointed out.
- The original spare wheel all the way from 1956 was in the trunk - it's lasted almost 60 years! Unbelievable.
- You put gas in the car through the rear taillight.
- My favorite part - the diecast model of the Bel Air inside the Bel Air.

With the Bel Air, Shawn now has a classic car in addition to his beast and the ultimate driver's car.

I should tag along with him the next time he goes to an auction. Who knows what they will end up with then??

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jkm7680 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 14:33

2

Pretty awesome guy!

Torque Affair > jkm7680 09/13/2014 at 14:59

0

Definitely!

FCV-8311 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 15:39

0

*Envy intensifies*

That's a beautiful Bel Air for sure!

Ark > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 15:43

1

Must be nice to have such huge piles of money lying around that you can buy cars at auction on impulse.

Deez > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 15:51

0

Trying to figure out the point of this 'article', at least he has one decent car in the 911?

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:06

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

anonCPA > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:11

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My uncle sounds like this guy. Middle class and buys a bunch of old junk—from craigslist and dealer auctions—rich people don't want anymore. And thinks people are impressed when he tells them he drives a PORSCHE and a VIPER and the wife has a RANGE ROVER. All old as shit and with a gang of mileage. People with real money dump these things when they lose the new smell.

Susan > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:13

0

must be nice to have that kind of money to throw around. lol

San Baban > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:14

12

Tip of my hat to you and your wife Sir. splendid choice of cars

OTE_TheMissile > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:15

1

I was expecting a writeup about an auction impulse buy on a decent looking car that turned into a mechanical nightmare once it got home. Amusing as it'd be, I'm glad to see it turned out to be a nice piece

trevster344 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:20

1

Great cars. Very raw, and you feel the power. Comfort is good but if you get picky you can get a lot better in a Porsche. The bel air is an enthusiasts vehicle. You don't pick up old cars unless you've got some childhood dreams you're reliving. That's where it all begins! All fun cars.

LHturbo > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:22

2

This is a cool story! Good to see people getting their dream cars.

Fèrrer > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:28

2

How can "the ultimate driver's car" possibly be four wheel drive?

jumpjet > Deez 09/13/2014 at 16:35

2

Not really. It's a 996.

Jamie > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 16:52

0

How is this even a story? If I had money I'd buy cars too.

Torque Affair > Fèrrer 09/13/2014 at 16:54

3

I meant it more for the fact that it's a 911.

Torque Affair > LHturbo 09/13/2014 at 16:56

1

For sure...they definitely love their cars!

Torque Affair > trevster344 09/13/2014 at 16:57

0

Yeah, Lorraine just really liked how the Bel Air looked - plus now they have an excuse to go out to all the car shows. Need to show it off!

Torque Affair > OTE_TheMissile 09/13/2014 at 16:58

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You know - surprisingly they managed to pick up a car that didn't need a ton of work! Previous owners took good care of it.

Torque Affair > San Baban 09/13/2014 at 16:59

0

I wish it was me! But the cars belong to my good friend Shawn and his wife.

Torque Affair > FCV-8311 09/13/2014 at 17:00

1

Hah! Pretty reasonable price for the car - I think they paid in the low 30s.

catram > jkm7680 09/13/2014 at 17:01

1

Pretty rich guy!

San Baban > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:03

0

I hope you will get your dream collection as well mate. and congrats to your friend.

Torque Affair > San Baban 09/13/2014 at 17:05

0

Thanks! What would be in your dream collection?

San Baban > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:14

2

welcome bro. oooo boy, thats a difficult one

but if money were no object, id have an Aston Martin V12 vantage with a 6-speed

Ferrari 599with a 6-Speed, Bmw M5 e60 6-speed, and to top it off an FJ-40 Land Cruiser from ICON. this collection id looooooooove to have.

Maxaxle > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:20

0

That's not wax. That's the drool of an enthusiast.

Maxaxle > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:21

2

A gas filler, right next to an electric taillight. Yep, seems perfectly safe.

Also: That looks like a great way to ruin a taillight by accident.

Maxaxle > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:21

1

I wish I could get a die-cast model of our Camry and stick that behind the backseats.

Harley9576 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:24

0

A little side note, and I'm not asking for a long explanation but....how many miles on the 996 and estimated yearly maintanence? I'm looking to make the jump to a 996 DD too...

Wonderful little collection you've got!

D-Whizzle > MFEJAL grey because who knows... 09/13/2014 at 17:25

0

Being rich is great, isn't it?

LongbowMk2 > MFEJAL grey because who knows... 09/13/2014 at 17:32

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The only auctions I can afford include totaled aleros and rusted out fieros.

Pit Pat > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 17:35

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Lorraine? 1956? Was this a picture of her from way back when?

Deez > jumpjet 09/13/2014 at 17:44

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Even a 996 is better than pretty much anything else.

fintail > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 18:37

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I like the BelAir - 56 is my favorite year of tri-Chevies, but I don't know if that spare is actually original. I think the 1956 style whitewall was wider. If it was my car, I'd have caps/wide whites and a two tone interior, but I have no problem with powertrain mods to make it more useful in modern traffic. They aren't rare, so modifying one is no big deal. I might even add a vintage looking AC, as that big engine can handle it.

Dlawman829 > San Baban 09/13/2014 at 18:37

1

I just wonder what "not that much money" for the '56 means......

thetruth > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 18:38

0

A 996 911 is hardly "ultimate".

dmcspeedy > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 18:40

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What's this if it's not a radio?

Dlawman829 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 18:40

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I want my B5 Blue, 69 Roadrunner back...... Sold in 1981 for $5k. Full of regret....

timgray > dmcspeedy 09/13/2014 at 18:55

1

That is the Gin and Vodka dispenser.

James May is my spirit animal > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 18:59

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They need to start doing that "toy car" with your real car thing again. Every make. Every model.

Fèrrer > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 19:15

1

This is better. Now we can discuss. 

zipfuel > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 19:39

1

Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped clean upside down and I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, I'll tell you how I became the owner of a '56 Bel-Air

Michael Zaite > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 19:48

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I've never seen this on a 60's car at a show. Never at all.....Do they have one of those punished child ghost doll things too?

Michael Zaite > Harley9576 09/13/2014 at 19:54

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Go for a 997, they sorted out a lot of "Engine Funnies" the 996 had.

Michael Zaite > James May is my spirit animal 09/13/2014 at 19:56

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Just in case you forget what it looks like while you're in it?

Sir Culgets the Square > dmcspeedy 09/13/2014 at 19:59

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It is a radio. It is not, however, a STEREO. Nit-picky perhaps, but there ya go.

Adam > Maxaxle 09/13/2014 at 20:01

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I believe I have that same one, Jada I think.

Michael Zaite > Jamie 09/13/2014 at 20:02

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A lot of Oppositelock is just about the pleasure of conspicuous consumption re: automobiles.

paradisian > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 20:06

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Sorry junior, that's a modern whitewall radial, not the original spare.

webmonkees > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 20:14

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Since a Fry "Dear, please quiet yourself and take my ring" gif doesn't exist.

dmcspeedy > Sir Culgets the Square 09/13/2014 at 20:16

1

So it's mono?

ron > LongbowMk2 09/13/2014 at 20:23

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Fieros have plastic bodies.......

ron > Maxaxle 09/13/2014 at 20:29

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Hardly a new concept - I think you're a little new to the car biz.......

Vlan1 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 20:37

2

Must be nice to be a 1%'er.

Duke Togo > Vlan1 09/13/2014 at 21:04

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Try it, you'll like it.

Torque Affair > webmonkees 09/13/2014 at 21:30

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lol

Torque Affair > paradisian 09/13/2014 at 21:31

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I meant the wheel itself, not including the tire.

Torque Affair > Pit Pat 09/13/2014 at 21:37

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hahahha...no.

Torque Affair > James May is my spirit animal 09/13/2014 at 21:38

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huh?

Torque Affair > Dlawman829 09/13/2014 at 21:39

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Less than 5K I think...

Torque Affair > Dlawman829 09/13/2014 at 21:39

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How much to buy one these days?

Torque Affair > Fèrrer 09/13/2014 at 21:40

1

Hah...let's do it!

Torque Affair > fintail 09/13/2014 at 21:41

0

An AC on that thing would be awesome!

Torque Affair > Harley9576 09/13/2014 at 21:43

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I wish the collection was mine, but unfortunately it's not. It's my friend Shawn's. I'm not really sure how much he spends on maintenance - I know he had to replace a water pump recently. I think he has 40K miles on it and loves it so far.

Kylemaro > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 21:45

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ugh, these fucking air cleaners i swear to god

Torque Affair > Kylemaro 09/13/2014 at 21:50

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Hah, he paid $500 for it!

Maxaxle > ron 09/13/2014 at 21:58

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Hey, when did I say it was new?

trevster344 > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 22:07

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It does a lot for everyone bringing a beauty like that out! Inspiration is huge for owners and future owners.

Mockngbrd > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 22:08

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Never understood the whole eat-in-the-car experience. Wouldn't it mess the interior up?

burpbeepburp > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 22:09

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You can buy Auto Enthusiasts at auction! Cool! Do I have to register or can I bid online?

Dixon-Mason > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 22:30

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Meanwhile, a really cool poor guy bought no cars and gets no love.

LongbowMk2 > ron 09/13/2014 at 22:43

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and steel subframes...

FNALSOLUTION > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 23:04

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Should change the title to This Is What Happens When A Auto Enthusiast Goes To the Auction And Has A Ton Of Cash To Spend

Nibby > Torque Affair 09/13/2014 at 23:24

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meta

jeff > Dlawman829 09/14/2014 at 00:15

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I sold my 69 Charger RT back in 99 for 8000. I am still bumming big time about it.

jeff > Dlawman829 09/14/2014 at 00:15

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I sold my 69 Charger RT back in 99 for 8000. I am still bumming big time about it.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 00:32

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TAURUS

Kylemaro > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 00:40

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second worse air cleaner i've ever seen. first is the foam edelbrock triangle of death

ZabiakFero > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 01:59

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Shawn is a dentist in the truest sense. His daily driver is his 2003 Porsche Carrera 4S

Fèrrer > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 02:09

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I like the 911, in fact in my opinion it is a car that every petrolhead should own at least once in his/her life.

But I'd argue that a car with the "ultimate driver's car" tag attached to it should have a better weight dustribution.

Your turn!

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > LongbowMk2 09/14/2014 at 05:53

0

I can help with the CoolAid.

Torque Affair > Fèrrer 09/14/2014 at 06:59

0

good point...mid-engine?

Torque Affair > ZabiakFero 09/14/2014 at 06:59

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lol...dentists do like their Porsches.

Torque Affair > trevster344 09/14/2014 at 07:01

1

Definitely - I enjoy hanging around car lovers.

Torque Affair > Mockngbrd 09/14/2014 at 07:02

0

Good question...I'm sure the kids would make a mess.

Torque Affair > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier 09/14/2014 at 07:19

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Indeed - that was their dad's car I believe.

Torque Affair > zipfuel 09/14/2014 at 07:20

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Good one!

Fuel_of_Satan > Fèrrer 09/14/2014 at 08:11

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You know, I'm not a particular fan of the 911 but it's still a bucket list car, a must have at some point for a car enthusiast. Much more so than an Alfa Romeo.

Fuel_of_Satan > Maxaxle 09/14/2014 at 08:17

2

My reasonably modern gas door has power locking. The horror, the huge manaties!

NotToBeBelieved > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 08:56

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The hand crank for the vent window on the Chevy is the coolest part of the car.I can't remember if my 1958 Pontiac Chieftain convertible had one.Bought it in 1968 with 17,000 miles on the clock for $ 600.00.

Torque Affair > NotToBeBelieved 09/14/2014 at 09:19

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Oh nice - didn't see that one.

CCD72 > Fèrrer 09/14/2014 at 09:44

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All wheel drive sports cars are beyond fun to drive. When you have tons of horsepower getting that power to the pavement can be a challenge. This is why drag cars are often tubbed and narrowed to accommodate wide tires on the drive wheels. Burning rubber and squealing tires look and sound impressive, but they do nothing for performance. "You are just spinning your wheels", you have heard the phrase. By distributing torque to all four wheels you get unprecedented grip acceleration, and handling. I have driven some of the worlds best all wheel drive cars, and they were packed with grin-inducing fun.

TwoToneLoser > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 10:15

0

My dentist has been driving the same Nissan pathfinder for 20+ years now. The truck looks as good as the first day I went to his office. I asked him about it, and he says he hates cars. "But you should see my stereo system!" I couldn't find fault with a guy who liked Tannoys

cayman2007 > Fèrrer 09/14/2014 at 10:39

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you mean like a Cayman?

LugNutz > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 11:22

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Buying a '56 Chevy is like ordering a medium drink. You know exactly what you want, and won't settle for more or less. The '55s and '57s get more attention, but the '56 is where it's at. This lady (and her grandfather) have impeccable tastes.

Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves* > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 12:05

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Tesla does it too

MrPseudonym > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 12:53

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clicked for the viper

stayed for the bel-air

Maxaxle > Fuel_of_Satan 09/14/2014 at 13:06

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I can't honestly think of a good reason to have a powered lock on your gas door. I mean, it's not like a powered door lock (where it lets you lock/unlock the car faster), and it's not like motorized wing mirrors (where you don't have to be Mr. Fantastic if you want to adjust the right side mirror)...

Fèrrer > Torque Affair 09/14/2014 at 13:33

0

I'd go front engine but with the engine behind the front axle. It should be light, with comunicative steering and front axle which changes direction with ease. Also progressive at the limit.

Engine, a small normally aspirated straight six, say 2 litre, with around 160-170bhp engine. Simple 5 or 6 speed manual and a limited slip diff at the back.

Tyres that aren't too wide (195 or 205 is more than enough) and big brakes (braking is vital when driving vigorously). Suspensio shouldn't be unnecessarily stiff, just enough to contain bodyroll.

Think of it as Lotus Elan with a straight six engine.

Fèrrer > Fuel_of_Satan 09/14/2014 at 13:36

1

I agree and I already said it. The 911 is stalwart that should at least be experienced once by anyone who likes cars.

You can have other interests but the 911 should be on eveyone's list while an Alfa Romeo or a Pontiac shouldn't necessarily be on it.