John Paul DeJoria, an entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Austin, Texas, proudly owns a stunningly restored bright red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Growing up in Los Angeles, DeJoria became deeply involved in charitable activities. Despite his considerable wealth, he chose this classic car over more opulent options like a Rolls-Royce.
The 1957 Chevy Bel Air, known for its iconic fins that boosted its popularity and sales, was once a dream car and a favorite for posters. After discovering a well-preserved model, DeJoria purchased and meticulously restored it. Unfortunately, the car suffered damage during a car rally accident.
His friend, Angus Mitchell, promised to fix it, transporting it from Texas to California. After two years, JP saw the car transformed, painted in the brightest Candy Apple Red.
The car now features custom wheels with disc brakes, a custom black leather interior with a red floral pattern, and an LT4 engine producing 750 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
The engine bay is meticulously crafted, and the body remains largely original, preserving the classic look. A skull motif on the front backrests pays homage to JP’s biker days. The dashboard remains original, but the car now includes a new steering wheel and an AC system.
JP rarely drives this car, preserving its status as a museum piece. It’s one of several vehicles in his collection, including a vintage Aston Martin V8 Vantage and two Gulf-liveried Porsche 918 Spyders.
