Bells.htm

2370 Maggio Cir. #15 Lodi, CA 95240

(209)339-1957 shop (209)712-6336 cell

The 56 wagon just returned from the Street Rodder Road Tour, crusin 3300 miles from Lodi, CA to Boise, ID, Coeur D' Alene, ID and various shops in Washington, Oregon and California on the way to Famoso Drag strip in Bakersfield, CA for the Hot Rod Reunion then back to Lodi to build more cars.

Stennett Bell is the owner/operator of Bell 's Classic Auto Works custom, classic, and rod shop located in Lodi, CA. Sten has been building and modifying hot rods, street machines, original cars of all makes and models since 1959. It all started in Hawaii with a 1952 Ford 4 door sedan that had a built flathead, frenched headlights, and tuck and roll interior . Sten raced a 1955 210 2 door sedan with a hot blueprinted 265c.i. and 4 speed at Kahuku airstrip, on the island of Oahu, HI. Since then Sten has never been without a cool classic ride or two or three. Sten has built and owned numerous cars over the years, including, but not limited to, a 1955 210 4 door wagon, 1964 Plymouth Valiant, 1958 BMW Isetta, 1956 Chevy convertible, 1956 Chevy 2 door Bel-Air hardtop, 1957 Chevy 4door Bel-Air hardtop, 1970 Plymouth Duster 340/4speed, 1964 Pontiac Tempest, 1967 Olds Cutlass convertible, all original numbers matching 1955 Chevy convertible: which was a multi-time Concourse and Classic Chevy International show winner. The longest standing and most traveled car in the stable- a 1956 Chevy 4 door Bel -Air wagon, has been in the family since 1976 and has been all over the western and central U.S., as well as Canada. The car performed flawlessly racking up 4600 miles on the "Americruise" in 2005. The 56 is also a multi-time Street Rodder "Road Tour" participant. The wagon has also received Best interior and Best engine awards at Classic Chevy International shows; winning class, interior, and engine awards as well as gold certificates in the senior class. In the months June and July 2007 the wagon racked up another 6700 miles going to Pueblo, Colorado to the NSRA Nat's and Boise, Idaho to Crusin' the Capital show; proving once again: the car's built at Bell 's are meant to be driven and enjoyed. If you are out and about at a car show, look for the 56 wagon and talk to Sten about your next project. The newest car in Sten's toy collection is a 1964 Dodge 330, slant six, automatic car with 76,000 original miles on the clock. But don't expect it to stay stock for long...Check back for pictures of the build; which has goodies like a 413c.i. big block, 4-speed, and a 60's themed Super Stock vibe. Two of Sten's personal cars have made the cover of Classic Chevy World magazine. Sten has been a member of Classic Chevy International since 1976 and Central California Classic Chevy Club for 30 years. In 1987 Sten and his sons built a 55 150 2 door sedan with a 410 c.i small block, flamejob, and 4 speed for the older son, Scott. The 55 made its first reappearance, after undergoing a frame-off resto; being built as a 60's style gasser, with a cross rammed 383 c.i. small block, 4 speed manual tranny, and many other vintage goodies, at the Goodguys Texas Lone Star show in October 2008. Scott also has a 1966 Olds F85 flat top wagon with airbags and custom owner painted flame job which is driven daily. Check out the PAINTJOBZ page for pictures of the wild flamejob on the Olds wagon and the 55 Chevy. For the younger son, Steve, the three built a 57 Chevy small window pick up with custom frame and Nova front stub with power disc brakes and power steering. Steve recently sold his daily driver; a slammed 1969 Suburban with factory 396, turbo 400, and a/c. Steve also had a 69 Chevelle SS396 with a 427c.i., 4-speed, 373 posi.

Sten started working out of his 2 car garage and constructed many beautiful cars, but outgrew the family garage and moved to his current location in 1994.

Sten is quite an innovator as well. Long before the aftermarket offered kits for items like power steering, disc brakes, tilt columns, cruise control and a/c, power seats, windows, and door locks he was fabricating his own kits and adapting parts from late model cars and trucks of the day to the early iron.

The shop handles various aspects of construction from engine detailing to full frame off restorations, including, but not limited to upgrades such as: adding air conditioning, power steering, disc brakes, suspension and engine upgrades. They will discuss and lay out a plan with the car owner; disassemble, order parts, coordinate the job, help secure painter, interior, build engine and assemble the vehicle. They will also help finish projects that owners do not have time to do or have lost interest in. If you are looking for a project car Sten may be able to help locate a suitable candidate.

As you can see; cars are not just a job to Bell's Classics, but a passion that is an integral part of their lives. They live, breath, drive and build BITCHIN' cars.

So... if you have a car that "you are going to build one of these days", but haven't gotten around to it yet:

Bell 's Classic Auto Works

can take care of it for you, so give them a call (209) 339-1957 , (209)712-6336 or e-mail Bellsclassics@aol.com

"It's all nuts and bolts"

Projects currently underway are 1964 Dodge 330 2 dr sedan Super Stock. A 1957 T-Bird which is being restored to original. All original 1951 Henry J restoration. 1956 Chevy Nomad being updated with p/s, p/b, a/c.

Please check out our photo gallery for some projects we have done

Recently completed projects include a 1959 Impala stock appearing restomod, frame up build with 348-tri power, power steering and brakes wearing factory Crown sapphire body color. 1955 BelAir hardtop on a custom chassis, Corvette suspension, LS1 engine, 4L60 trans, fully custom tan leather interior. A tangerglo orange 1947 Mercury 4 dr sedan with custom tan leather interior, power steering, a/c and a 351 Windsor. 1965 Nova 2 dr sedan drag car with 6 pt. roll cage, 327c.i.-400 rear wheel hp, 4 speed manual trans and rack and pinion steering. 1958 Chevy pick up sitting on a custom built chassis, 383 stroker, custom paint that won First Place at the Sacramento Autorama. Gasser styled 1956 Chevy 210 2 dr sedan with 327, 4 speed, flat black suede paint. 1956 150 2 dr sedan with many upgrades including: 340 hp 350 engine, 4 speed, power brakes and steering, and custom audio system. 1965 Ford Mustang restoration.