Belly Tank Hot Rod with a Chevy V8

Max and Kyle from RoadHeads stopped by Joe Alessandrino’s garage to talk about his custom Belly Tank hot rod. The project started in 2010 when Joe purchased a 150 gallon fuel tank from a WWII era P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft. Then a friend told him a Chevy V8 couldn’t fit and he set out to prove them wrong. The hot rod is registered as a 1957 Chevy four-door which makes it the lightest in the world at only 1,100 lb. The powertrain consists of a Chevy 350 ci V8, Muncie four-speed manual (shifter located between driver’s legs) and a rear end with 3.07 gears. Since there is no room for a radiator the engine is kept cool using two Bus heater cores under the car while the coolant is held in the frame. The suspension comprises of a Austin-Healey Sprite front and Neuspeed coilovers in the back. Joe also built a 1963 Ferrari with a Chevy V8.

Full Stats:
Body:

• P-47 Thunderbolt 150 gallon fuel tank

Chassis:

• custom frame 2×4 tubing
• 0.120 wall or thicker
• holds 12 gallons of coolant

Suspension:

• front – Austin-Healey Sprite, springs made for 1,200 lb car
• rear – ladder bars, Nuespeed coilovers with 115 lb springs

Engine:

• Chevy 350 ci V8
• New World S/R heads
• mild camshaft

Drivetrain:

• Muncie four-speed manual
• GM rear end with 3.07 gears

Brakes:

• front – Austin-Healey Sprite disc brakes
• rear – 10.5 vented disc brakes

Cooling:

• chassis holds 12 gallons of coolant
• 2 x Bus double pass heater cores
• 2 x 10″ electric fans
• large oil cooler

Source: RoadHeads