Chevrolet’s electric 1957 Bel Air known as Project X debuted at SEMA in Las Vegas on November 2, 2021. Built by Chevrolet Performance, MotorTrend and Cagnazzi Racing, it was a proof-of-concept classic-car conversion—not a production vehicle and not the same system as Chevrolet’s current eCrate package.
What Project X is—and when it debuted
Project X is a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 210 that MotorTrend and HOT ROD have used as a testbed since 1965, when it was purchased for $250, according to Chevrolet’s 2021 account. Over the decades, the car received a range of powertrains and technologies, including inline-six and V-8 engines, carburetion, fuel injection and supercharging.
For its latest transformation, Chevrolet Performance, MotorTrend and Cagnazzi Racing converted the car at Cagnazzi Racing’s shop in Mooresville, North Carolina. Chevrolet announced the unveiling on November 1, 2021, ahead of the SEMA show, which ran November 2–5 in Las Vegas. The original announcement’s “coming to SEMA 2021” is therefore historical: Project X debuted at that show.
Project X’s electric powertrain and specifications
Chevrolet described the 2021 build as a proof of concept. Its electric motor was estimated to produce 340 hp, drawing power from a 400-volt lithium-ion pack with 30 kWh of usable energy. The battery was mounted in the trunk. Chevrolet said the modular pack concept was being evaluated for potential use in a next-generation Chevrolet Performance product; that did not make the Project X setup a retail package.
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- Scale: 1/25
- Skill Level: 2 (ages 10 and up)
- Glue assembly, paint required
- Molded in blue and clear with chrome and black vinyl tires
| Specification | Project X, 2021 concept |
|---|---|
| Motor output | Estimated 340 hp (Chevrolet, 2021) |
| Estimated torque | 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) on Chevrolet’s SEMA concept specification sheet; 330 lb-ft in its companion newsroom release |
| Battery | 400 V; 30 kWh usable capacity (Chevrolet, 2021) |
| Battery location | Trunk |
| Onboard charging | 7.2 kW (Chevrolet’s SEMA concept sheet) |
Chevrolet’s two 2021 sources give different estimated torque figures: the SEMA specification sheet says 325 lb-ft (440 Nm), while the newsroom release says 330 lb-ft. Neither figure should be treated as an independently measured result. Chevrolet did not publish a tested road range or independent efficiency result for this build, so its 30-kWh usable capacity alone cannot establish how far it could travel.
A quick-change differential let the team alter the final-drive ratio to favor acceleration or range. That adjustability is a feature of this demonstration car, not evidence of a published range figure.
Rank #2
- 1/24 Scale Diecast Model Car
- This 1957 Chevrolet Belair is an 8.25"L x 3"W x 2.5"H diecast metal
- Opening doors, hood & trunk, workable steering, and free wheels
- Manufactured by Motormax.
What else changed in the conversion
An electric drivetrain requires supporting systems as well as a motor and battery. Project X received an electric brake booster and an electrohydraulic power-steering pump. The concept specification sheet also lists Wilwood brakes with ABS, rack-and-pinion steering and the 7.2-kW onboard charger.
The car retained the sixth-generation Corvette front suspension installed in 2007. Removing the exhaust lowered it by roughly two inches, Chevrolet said. To account for less weight at the front and more weight over the rear axle, the team fitted softer front springs and stiffer rear springs. A Corvette C8-style push-button gear selector was the most visible cabin change.
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- Openable doors, hood, trunk
- Made of Diecast metal with plastic parts and rubber tires.
- 1:24 scale measuring approx 7.5x3x2.5 inches
- New in window box
Project X is not Chevrolet’s current eCrate package
Project X’s 340-hp, 30-kWh configuration should not be confused with Chevrolet Performance’s current U.S. eCrate offering. Chevrolet’s product page, accessed October 8, 2026, describes a separate 400-volt package rated at 200 hp, with a 66-kWh lithium-ion battery and up to 266 lb-ft of torque. The current package is available only through approved installation centers, requires a GM four-speed automatic transmission and uses a locked system that does not allow horsepower increases.
GM’s December 2021 announcement discussed a planned Electric Connect and Cruise package and a qualified-installer pathway; it identified the Lingenfelter El Camino as the first independent installation of the concept eCrate. That history does not establish that the Project X proof-of-concept hardware became the current product.
Rank #4
- AUTHENTIC REPLICA: Highly detailed 1:40 scale model of the iconic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Coupe, measuring 5 inches in length with classic finish
- WORKING FEATURES: Functioning doors that open and close, plus pull-back motor action for interactive play value
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Die-cast metal body construction provides durability and authentic feel, enhanced with detailed plastic components
- REALISTIC DETAILS: Features rubber tires for enhanced realism and smooth rolling action on various surfaces
- DISPLAY WORTHY: Perfect size for collectors and enthusiasts, combining playability with showcase appeal
What Project X does—and does not—tell a conversion buyer
The build shows that converting a classic car involves more than choosing a motor. Battery placement and mass affect packaging and weight distribution; drivetrain compatibility, charging, brakes, steering assistance and suspension setup also matter. Project X demonstrates one engineered approach, but Chevrolet did not publish a consumer price, a tested range or an independent road test for it.
Anyone comparing a real conversion should assess the motor and torque, usable battery capacity, battery mass and placement, transmission and driveline compatibility, charging capability, brake and steering changes, suspension needs, installer qualifications, legal compliance and total installed cost. Do not use Project X’s battery capacity to infer its range, or its concept specifications as a quote for a consumer build.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- AUTHENTIC REPLICA: Highly detailed 1:40 scale model of the iconic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Coupe, measuring 5 inches in length with classic finish
- WORKING FEATURES: Functioning doors that open and close, plus pull-back motor action for interactive play value
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Die-cast metal body construction provides durability and authentic feel, enhanced with detailed plastic components
- REALISTIC DETAILS: Features rubber tires for enhanced realism and smooth rolling action on various surfaces
- DISPLAY WORTHY: Perfect size for collectors and enthusiasts, combining playability with showcase appeal
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