Spotted at Byron Dragway in Illinois, this sixth-generation Bel Air appears to have just emerged from a barn. Its trim is missing, the paint is in disarray, and some body panels are far from straight. However, the reason behind the massive bulge on the hood becomes evident. This unassuming wagon houses a powerful big-block V8 engine, displacing 496 cubic inches (8.1 liters).
When the pedal hits the metal, the sound emitted by this vehicle is akin to the unleashing of hell. Its performance far surpasses that of a regular 1967 Bel Air. While the exact power output remains undisclosed by the owner, it is evident that this grocery-getter possesses enough muscle to cover the quarter-mile in under ten seconds. This achievement is remarkable considering the Bel Air’s weight of 5,500 pounds (2,495 kg).
For those interested in specifics, the owner of this Bel Air states that their fastest run was completed in 9.30 seconds at 145 mph (233 kph). This time is three-tenths quicker and five mph (eight kph) faster than a Dodge Challenger Demon. Furthermore, it is only four-tenths and six mph (ten kph) slower than the Challenger Demon 170. Astonishingly, this Bel Air still relies on its original suspension.
Unfortunately, the accompanying footage does not capture a sub-10-second run. Nevertheless, it showcases the wagon completing the quarter-mile faster than any muscle car from its era. In the video, the owner completes a solo run in 11.76 seconds and later competes against a Fox-body Mustang, stopping the timer at 11.66 clicks.
This grocery-getter belongs to the sixth-generation iteration of the Bel Air, which Chevrolet manufactured between 1965 and 1970. The car underwent significant design changes, featuring a more angular front fascia and bulging rear fenders. Its rear fascia boasted three-piece taillights.
In that particular year, three body styles were available: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and a station wagon. The station wagon variant offered seating for either six or nine passengers across two or three rows respectively. As before, the Bel Air occupied a position between the Biscayne and the Impala in Chevrolet’s lineup. At the time, Chevrolet had recently introduced the Caprice as their range-topping model.
Chevrolet achieved impressive sales figures, surpassing one million full-size vehicles sold that year. Among these, approximately 152,000 were station wagons of various trims. Despite not being a rare sight, this grocery-getter still manages to captivate attention at the drag strip. Click play to witness its performance for yourself.
According to the Source autoevolution.com