World’s First Hydrogen-Powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Is Heading To Charity Auction

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January 15, 2026A historic fusion of classic Americana and futuristic technology is set to cross the auction block as CRC Industries presents its hydrogen-powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air on January 21, 2026.
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The sale of this “Cherry Red” masterpiece serves a greater purpose through CRC’s Build for the Future initiative. In a commitment to the automotive industry’s longevity, 100-percent of the hammer price will be donated to the TechForce Foundation. This non-profit organization provides essential scholarships and grants to students pursuing careers in the skilled trades, ensuring that the next generation of technicians has the resources needed to succeed in an evolving technological landscape.

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While the exterior retains the iconic lines of a 1957 Bel Air, the engineering beneath the hood is entirely revolutionary. Built by a “dream team” including NHRA champion Clay Millican, Street Outlaws star Jeff Lutz, and hydrogen pioneer Mike Copeland, the car features a 5.7-liter Gen 3 HEMI V8 converted to run on hydrogen fuel. Equipped with an Edelbrock 2650 supercharger, the engine delivers a powerful 500 horsepower while producing zero tailpipe emissions. This zero-carbon setup allows the vehicle to emit only pure water vapor, proving that high-performance hot rodding can coexist with environmental sustainability.------------------------

How the Hydrogen Fuel System Works

The hydrogen fuel system in the CRC Industries 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air operates as a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE), rather than a common hydrogen fuel cell. Instead of using hydrogen to create electricity for an electric motor, this system burns gaseous hydrogen directly inside a traditional V8 engine to produce power.

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The heart of the system is a 5.7-liter Gen 3 HEMI V8 modified to run entirely on hydrogen. It maintains the mechanical feel, sound, and “roar” of a classic gasoline engine while producing zero carbon emissions. An Edelbrock 2650 supercharger provides compressed air to the engine. The forced induction is critical because hydrogen burns differently than gasoline; the supercharger helps maintain a high output of 500 horsepower.-----------------------------------
Gaseous hydrogen is stored in a specialized tank, often constructed of carbon fiber-wrapped aluminum to handle high pressures (up to 5,000 PSI in similar builds by Mike Copeland). A high-pressure regulator reduces this pressure to approximately 110 PSI before it reaches the fuel injectors.

The engine operates with a significantly leaner air-to-fuel ratio than gasoline. While gasoline engines typically run near 14.7:1, Mike Copeland’s hydrogen systems can run as lean as 75:1, utilizing specialized injectors to manage the gaseous fuel delivery. Because the fuel contains no carbon, the only byproduct of the combustion process is pure water vapor, which exits through the tailpipes.

The Hydrogen-Powered Bel Air That Can Do it All

The vehicle is built for both the track and the street, featuring a TCI 4-speed automatic transmission, a custom hydrogen storage system providing a 200-mile range, and modern comforts such as air conditioning and CPP power brakes. Those interested in the technical details of the conversion or the charity mission can find comprehensive documentation at the official CRC Build for the Future website.
----------------------------------This one-of-a-kind vehicle, which has captivated the automotive world since its debut, will be sold during the prestigious Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The auction is scheduled for approximately 3:30 PM MST as Charity Lot 3000, and enthusiasts can follow the action live via the Barrett-Jackson YouTube channel.