Weekend drive: Finding that special girl

“Bella,” a beautiful 1954 Surf Green Chevy Bel Air, looks beach-ready despite her advanced age.

Proud owner Joseph Clutterbuck of Sugar Grove put Bella — Italian for “beautiful” — through a 13-month, frame-off restoration after purchasing her in 2009.

Clutterbuck knows a thing or two about beautiful automobiles. At age 59, Bella is the 59th car he’s owned. Yet she’s the first major renovation for him.

That eye-catching Surf Green color with Indian Ivory roof looks factory new — the same colors Bella wore on the showroom floor at Bergl Chevrolet in Cicero.

Clutterbuck tracked down the Bel Air’s first owner, a Shriner, hoping to find the original paperwork. The car later was sold to a fellow Shriner, who for years only drove Bella in parades. The odometer reads 78,300 miles.

Clutterbuck is now her third owner.

“I like the body style. I’ve always liked that year of car,” Clutterbuck says. 1954 was the last year of the 6-volt electrical system. Chevy converted to 12 volts in 1955 to accommodate the growing use of electronics like air conditioners, power windows and radios.

Clutterbuck, a Vintage Chevrolet Club of America member, says he plans to show off his new gal at various shows and cruise nights this year. And he plans to hold on to her for awhile. He claims he won’t be courting a new model by his 60th birthday.

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