This LS-Powered ’53 Bel Air Isn’t Just a Sleeper, It Comes Armed and Ready To Take Down Any Opponent In Its Way

Some classic vehicles can tell a story based on their original sale location, options or performance. Others can look like they have a story based on their appearance.

Scott Brown’s 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air is the latter to some that don’t recognize it, but the performance from the car known as Capone can slot the car into another different category.

 

Capone has multiple drag-and-drives under its belt, and Brown kicked it all off at Hot Rod Drag Week. He now has five of them under his belt, with top ten finishes at every one.

Brown has also attended Rocky Mountain Race Week once, earning a class victory. Most recently, Brown participated in Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, earning a third-place in the Street Race class with an 8.55 average.


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The get the Chevy Bel Air to the needed 8-second performances, Brown opted for an LS2 with forged internals and BTR valvetrain. Trick Flow cylinder heads provide the air flow, and it’s all force-fed by a Forced Inductions 85/102 millimeter
T6 turbocharger. That power in passes through a 4L80 overdrive transmission and a Hughes Performance torque converter, and arrives at a Ford 9-inch with 3.50 gears.

 

“I’m hoping to finish the week with minimal issues, and earn a podium finish,” said Brown of his 2023 Sick Week aspirations. But what brings him back for drag-and-drive events every year? “I get to do hood rat shit with all my hood rat buddies.”

 

- Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of KWS Images.

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No Artificial Air or Chemicals - Jason Tabscott Defies the Odds for 8-Second Blasts in His Small-Block Camaro