Auction of Doug Evans' 1961 Chevy Bel Air Bubble Top Sports Coupe to benefit Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer

While there are many adjectives well-suited to describe the impressive 1961 Chevy Bel Air Bubble Top Sports Coupe that will be on display during the Nov. 1-4 SEMA Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center's Grand Plaza, "pivotal" may be the most insightful. This car is just that – figuratively, historically, and through the possibilities it will empower in the near future.

The classic car's sleek lines turn heads wherever it rolls, for its design not only blended the greatest elements of its predecessors but turned the tables on the future, leading the way to subsequent models over the following decade.

The true beauty of this car, however, will be realized when its sale takes place in Lot #S90 at the upcoming Mecum Auctions event in Kissimmee, Florida on January 7-14. While the car's appeal is undeniable on many levels, the strongest attraction will certainly come from what promises to be a substantial selling price, with all proceeds donated to the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, a SEMA Cares Charity. (Twitter: #1hotbelair, #AHFbelair, #AHFatSEMA)

"This is a special car that, when auctioned, is going to benefit a special cause – and some very special people from SEMA and SEMA Cares have gone the extra mile to make this happen for the foundation and all the children and families we assist," said Austin Hatcher Foundation Chairman Dr. Jim Osborn. He and his wife, foundation President Amy Jo Osborn, are donating the Bel Air for the auction.

"We are proud to have the Bel Air on display at the legendary SEMA Show, in the process further increasing awareness for our foundation."

Although the Austin Hatcher Foundation is a relatively new addition to the renowned SEMA Cares family of charities, the foundation is an eight-year SEMA member that has built its own strong reputation. For the past 10 years, nearly 70,000 children and their families challenged by cancer have benefited from the foundation's tireless efforts involving volunteers, sponsors, educators, doctors and staff members – all committed to restoring hope and possibility to people who need it most.

1961 Bel Air SEMA Cares Charity Car
For the person who steps up with the top bid in January for the stunning Bel Air, their generosity will be rewarded many times over through the knowledge that they will have raised the spirits of others in ways that will only be fully realized over time.

There's no denying this car's beauty is more than skill deep. When the car's former owner Doug Evans – former executive vice president and group publisher of Hot Rod Magazine, and current chairman of SEMA – recreated this car in an eight-year update, he incorporated the finest ingredients in a spectacular mix of past and present greatness.

While the beautifully restored Classic Industries interior serves as a time capsule but for a few modern necessities like the Auto Meter gauges, its new suspension components below enable a lower center of gravity to maximize curving roads and lengthy straightaways as the power of the 509 cubic-inch engine is fully lit. Unlike the Beach Boys' iconic song proclaiming the factory "409," this beauty is motivated by a modern iteration of the famed W-engine combining SSRE-modified Edelbrock aluminum heads with an alloy World Casting block from Lamar Walden Automotive.

A mix of air and high test supplied through twin Edelbrock 600 cfm four-barrels is managed by a specialized combination of Competition Cams hardware before Diamond pistons pressurize the Eagle rods and crankshaft below. Approximately 556 horses are sent from the Shafiroff Racing-built and dyno proven engine through a Gearstar Level Four 4L80E automatic managed by MGM's Compushift II controller.

"Though there are many ways to appreciate this truly beautiful machine, whether at a standstill or running full-bore down the highway, the real return will come 'down the road' knowing what resulted from the investment in people it empowered," Osborn said.

"That's when the term "pivotal" will come full circle, as the new owner realizes the turn of events they've set in motion, not for themselves but for others who will appreciate their gift long into the future."