Larry Haulton's 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air
Larry Haulton had always been captivated by the sleek, rounded contours of the early ‘60s GM “Bubble Top” cars — symbols of an era when design echoed the nation’s fascination with space and speed. It was more than nostalgia; it was a passion ingrained in him since childhood, nurtured by days spent in his father’s garage surrounded by the innards of countless vehicles.
By 2021, Larry had transformed this passion into his own venture, House of Boost, an aftermarket performance shop that brought supercharged dreams to life. His shop was a playground for gearheads — a place where classic style met modern performance, creating beasts that roared through the streets, not just adorned showroom floors.
His personal project was a 1961 Belair, a find that could only be described as fate. It boasted a striking green patina that told stories of its journeys, and an LS engine swap hinting at its reborn vigor. Yet, Larry saw potential for much more — a canvas awaiting his personal strokes of genius.
Diving into the upgrade, Larry first tackled the chassis. Teaming up with RideTech, he introduced state-of-the-art suspension systems, making sure that when the Belair hugged the ground, it did so with grace and stability. The Accuair eLevel air management system was a nod to modernity, ensuring the ride’s height was just as customizable as its speed.
For wheels, Larry chose 15-inch alloys from US Wheel, perfectly complementing the classic silhouette of the Belair while offering robust support for the power it was destined to wield. The heart of the beast, a 5.3L LS engine, was fine-tuned with a TrickFlow cam and GM 862 heads. The addition of a Chevy TBSS manifold and an MSD Ignition system ensured that each spark was a symphony of efficiency.
Exhaust was key — not just any system would do. The RestoMod Store, manned by the meticulous Mike and Chris Mclin, crafted a custom mandrel-bent cat-back exhaust system, ensuring minimal backpressure and maximum roar.
Transmission was not overlooked. The GM 4L60E was fitted with a Circle D 3000 Stall converter and enhanced with a Lokar shifter. Upgraded clutch packs prepared the transmission to handle the significant uptick in power — a necessary beef-up for the kind of torque Larry envisioned.
With mechanics sorted, aesthetics could not lag. The Mclins laid down a fresh coat of paint, breathing new life into the Belair’s vintage frame. Inside, Larry decided on subtlety: stock appearance with strategic upgrades. Auto Meter Ultra Gauges replaced the old dials, providing precision monitoring of the engine’s vitals, while a Retro Sound stereo system paired with Alpine speakers promised auditory bliss.
No detail was too small — the installation of a Vintage Air conditioning unit ensured comfort in the Midwest’s sweltering summers, making the Belair not just a showpiece, but a staple for family trips.
As Larry looked over his completed project, it was more than a restored car before him; it was a testament to his life’s work. The 1961 Belair was not just a vehicle; it was a legacy on wheels, bridging past and present, ready to turn heads with its rumble and speed.
In House of Boost, dreams were not just made; they were supercharged. Larry’s Belair was proof that with the right touch, every classic car could be a street symphony — a blend of history and horsepower, just begging to be heard.
