For 1958, Chevrolet models were
redesigned to be broader, longer
and heavier than their 1957 predecessors.
The Impala now became the premium
Chevrolet, followed by the mid-range Bel Air.
For the budget conscious, the Biscayne,
(formerly the 210) and the Delray (formerly the
150) completed this model years family
oriented and utility offerings.
Chevrolet's design for the year fared better than its other GM brethren, and lacked the
overabundance of chrome found on Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Cadillacs.
Complementing Chevrolet's front design was a broad grille and quad headlights; the
tail received a fan-shaped alcove on both side panels, which housed dual tail lights.
The Bel Air also gained a halo model in 1958, the Impala, available only as a hardtop
coupe and convertible in its introductory year. Impala styling followed the basic lines of
the other Chevrolet models but received special styling cues including a different roof
line, a vent above the rear window, unique side trim, and triple tail lights housed in
slightly broader alcoves.
Despite being a recession year, consumers made Chevrolet the No. 1 make of
automobile (beating Ford, which held the title in 1957) and the Bel Air was at the core
of Chevrolet's popularity. With its wide variety of body styles and models, Bel Airs
could be optioned with almost every conceivable luxury within the Chevrolet line. The
Nomad station wagon name also reappeared in 1958 when the vehicle bowed as the
premium four-door Chevrolet station wagon, lacking the unique styling of the 1955-57
Nomads. Most Chevrolet station wagon models had two tail lights housed in
abbreviated alcoves, which were made smaller to accommodate the rear gate. An
exception was the Yeoman.
1959–1965: Mid-range model
In 1959, Chevrolet elevated the Impala
to top-line status, making the Bel Air the
mid-level model. The Biscayne replaced
the discontinued Delray as the least
expensive full-size Chevrolet model.
From 1960 Bel Airs' and Biscaynes'
could easily be identified by their use of
two taillights per side; the Impalas had
three taillights per side. Also, the Bel Air
had more interior and exterior brightwork
than the Biscayne. Many of the same
options and accessories that were
available on the Impala were also available on the Bel Air.
Of noteworthy importance is the 1962 Bel Air Sport Coupe, the last year a Bel Air
hardtop was offered in the USA. This model featured the "bubbletop" roof from '61,
and was popular with drag racers, who ordered this car with Chevy's new-for-'61 409
cubic inch "W-block" V8 with up to 409 bhp (305 kW), a special package including
aluminum body panels, heater delete, and four-speed manual transmission. A car with
this configuration today is a valuable collector vehicle that commands a big premium
over other '62 Chevys, including the classy Impala SS.
1966–1975: Low-line model
By the late 1960s (with the introduction of the Caprice), the Bel Air and its Biscayne
stablemate were primarily marketed to automotive fleet customers. However, the Bel
Air remained available to private customers who sought a basic, no-frills full-sized car
that was slightly better trimmed than the low-line Biscayne. When the Biscayne was
discontinued after 1972, the Bel Air was demoted to the low-level model.
A six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission remained standard
equipment through the 1973 model year; the automatic transmission had been the
sole transmission choice on V-8-powered Bel Airs since the spring of 1971. Only about
1,400 cars were built with the inline six in 1973, and the engine and the outdated stick
shift transmission were shelved by the end of the model year. All Bel Airs built in 1974
and 1975 listed a 350 two-barrel V8 engine and Turbo-Hydramatic transmission as
standard.
All U.S.-market Bel Airs sold between 1970 and 1975 were four-door sedans or station
wagons. However, a Bel Air sport coupe - based on the Impala, but with Bel Air-level
trim - was sold in Canada from 1970 to 1975.
Most other changes to the Bel Air during its final years were identical to the more
expensive Caprice and Impala lines. For instance, the 1975 models had a new roofline
and came with new dashboard, radio and climate control graphics (the speedometer
read up to 100 mph (160 km/h), and had smaller numbers for kilometers per hour). In
addition, customers could buy their 1975 Bel Air with two new options: an Econominder
gauge package (which included a gauge that monitored fuel economy, due in part to
growing demands for fuel economy) and intermittent wipers.
The last Bel Airs for the United States were manufactured for 1975.
| Chevrolet Bel Air |
Bel Air Data
Production data
VIN Decoder
Chronology
1953-1957
1958
1959-1965
1966-1975
Shop Manuals
Production data
VIN Decoder
Chronology
1953-1957
1958
1959-1965
1966-1975
Shop Manuals
The Chevrolet Bel Air
Produced by the Chevrolet division
of General Motors from 1953–75.
From 1950–52, hardtops in Chevrolet's
premium Deluxe model range were
designated with the Bel Air name,
but it was not a distinct series of its
own. The Bel Air continued in
production in Canada through the
1981 model year.
In 1953 Chevrolet renamed its series and the Bel Air name was applied to the premium
model range. Two lower series, the 150 and 210, also emerged.......continued
Produced by the Chevrolet division
of General Motors from 1953–75.
From 1950–52, hardtops in Chevrolet's
premium Deluxe model range were
designated with the Bel Air name,
but it was not a distinct series of its
own. The Bel Air continued in
production in Canada through the
1981 model year.
In 1953 Chevrolet renamed its series and the Bel Air name was applied to the premium
model range. Two lower series, the 150 and 210, also emerged.......continued
1953 - 1957
The 1953 Chevrolet was advertised
as "Entirely New Through and
Through," due to the restyled body
panels, front and rear ends.
However, essentially these Chevys
had the same frame and
mechanicalsas the 1949-52 cars.
The Bel Air series featured a wide
chrome strip of molding from the rear
fender bulge, to the rear bumper.
The inside of this stripe was painteda coordinating color with the outside body color,
and "Bel Air" scripts were added inside the strip. Lesser models had no model
designation anywhere on the car, only having a Chevy crest on the hood and trunk.
Bel Air interiors for 1953 had a massive expanse of chrome across the lower part of
the dashboard, along with a de luxe Bel Air steering wheel with full chrome horn ring.
Carpeting and full wheel covers rounded out Bel Air standard equipment. For '54, the
Bel Air stayed essentially the same, except for a revised grille and taillights. During
these years, there were two engine choices, depending on the transmission ordered.
Both engines were "Blue Flame" inline six cylinder OHV engines. featuring hydraulic
valve lifters and aluminum pistons. The 115 hp (86 kW) engine was standard on
stickshift models, with solid lifters and splash plus pressure lubrication. Powerglide cars
got a 125 hp (93 kW) version which had hydraulic lifters and full pressure lubrication.
'54 cars with stick shift got the 1953 Powerglide engine. During 1953-54, Bel Airs could
be ordered in convertible, hardtop coupe, 2- and 4-door sedans, and, for 1954, the
Beauville station wagon which featured woodgrain trim around the side windows. Power
steering was optional for 1953; 1954 added power brakes, power seat positioner and
power front windows.
In 1955, Chevrolets gained a V8 engine option. The new 265 cubic-inch V8 featured a
modern, overhead valve high-compression, short stroke design that was so good that
it remained in production in various forms, for many decades. The base V8 had a two-
barrel carburetor and was rated at 162 horsepower (121 kW), and the "Power Pack"
option featured a four-barrel carburetor and other upgrades, yielding 180 brake
horsepower (130 kW). Later in the year, a "Super Power Pack" option added high
compression and a further 15 brake horsepower (11 kW). Most enthusiasts today
associate the Bel Air and the V8 together, even though neither was dependent on the
other. That year, Chevrolet's full-size model received new styling that earned it the
"Hot One" designation by enthusiasts. Unlike Ford and Plymouth, Chevrolet's styling
was considered crisp and clean. Bel Airs came with features found on cars in the lower
models ranges plus interior carpet, chrome headliner bands on hardtops, chrome
spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. Models were
further distinguished by the Bel Air name script in gold lettering.
The '55, '57, and especially '56 Bel Airs are among the most recognizable American
cars of all time; well-maintained examples (especially Sport Coupes and convertibles)
are highly sought after by enthusiasts. Roomy, fuel-efficient, and with tastefully
restrained use of tail fins and chrome, they are seen by many as vastly superior to the
oversized and overdecorated full-size models that would roll out of Detroit for the next
20 years.
From 1955–57, production of the two-door Nomad station wagon was assigned to the
Bel Air series, although its body and trim were unique to that model. Prior to becoming
a regular production model, the Nomad first appeared as a Corvette-based concept
vehicle in 1954. Chevrolet has since unveiled two concept cars bearing the Nomad
name, most recently in 1999. 1956 saw the introduction of the pillarless four-door
model, called Sport Sedan and available in both Bel Air and Two-Ten models.
The 1953 Chevrolet was advertised
as "Entirely New Through and
Through," due to the restyled body
panels, front and rear ends.
However, essentially these Chevys
had the same frame and
mechanicalsas the 1949-52 cars.
The Bel Air series featured a wide
chrome strip of molding from the rear
fender bulge, to the rear bumper.
The inside of this stripe was painteda coordinating color with the outside body color,
and "Bel Air" scripts were added inside the strip. Lesser models had no model
designation anywhere on the car, only having a Chevy crest on the hood and trunk.
Bel Air interiors for 1953 had a massive expanse of chrome across the lower part of
the dashboard, along with a de luxe Bel Air steering wheel with full chrome horn ring.
Carpeting and full wheel covers rounded out Bel Air standard equipment. For '54, the
Bel Air stayed essentially the same, except for a revised grille and taillights. During
these years, there were two engine choices, depending on the transmission ordered.
Both engines were "Blue Flame" inline six cylinder OHV engines. featuring hydraulic
valve lifters and aluminum pistons. The 115 hp (86 kW) engine was standard on
stickshift models, with solid lifters and splash plus pressure lubrication. Powerglide cars
got a 125 hp (93 kW) version which had hydraulic lifters and full pressure lubrication.
'54 cars with stick shift got the 1953 Powerglide engine. During 1953-54, Bel Airs could
be ordered in convertible, hardtop coupe, 2- and 4-door sedans, and, for 1954, the
Beauville station wagon which featured woodgrain trim around the side windows. Power
steering was optional for 1953; 1954 added power brakes, power seat positioner and
power front windows.
In 1955, Chevrolets gained a V8 engine option. The new 265 cubic-inch V8 featured a
modern, overhead valve high-compression, short stroke design that was so good that
it remained in production in various forms, for many decades. The base V8 had a two-
barrel carburetor and was rated at 162 horsepower (121 kW), and the "Power Pack"
option featured a four-barrel carburetor and other upgrades, yielding 180 brake
horsepower (130 kW). Later in the year, a "Super Power Pack" option added high
compression and a further 15 brake horsepower (11 kW). Most enthusiasts today
associate the Bel Air and the V8 together, even though neither was dependent on the
other. That year, Chevrolet's full-size model received new styling that earned it the
"Hot One" designation by enthusiasts. Unlike Ford and Plymouth, Chevrolet's styling
was considered crisp and clean. Bel Airs came with features found on cars in the lower
models ranges plus interior carpet, chrome headliner bands on hardtops, chrome
spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. Models were
further distinguished by the Bel Air name script in gold lettering.
The '55, '57, and especially '56 Bel Airs are among the most recognizable American
cars of all time; well-maintained examples (especially Sport Coupes and convertibles)
are highly sought after by enthusiasts. Roomy, fuel-efficient, and with tastefully
restrained use of tail fins and chrome, they are seen by many as vastly superior to the
oversized and overdecorated full-size models that would roll out of Detroit for the next
20 years.
From 1955–57, production of the two-door Nomad station wagon was assigned to the
Bel Air series, although its body and trim were unique to that model. Prior to becoming
a regular production model, the Nomad first appeared as a Corvette-based concept
vehicle in 1954. Chevrolet has since unveiled two concept cars bearing the Nomad
name, most recently in 1999. 1956 saw the introduction of the pillarless four-door
model, called Sport Sedan and available in both Bel Air and Two-Ten models.
| _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________________ |
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with this pre-filtered
selection of classic Chevy
Bel Airs
Be sure to check out our
guides to buying and selling
cars on eBay
There are many reliable and
across the country and
Canada at surprisingly low
rates. To learn how easy it
is to have one of these
Classic Buicks shipped to
you please see our
Auto Shipping page
Ready for a road trip?
Many of our visitors have
purchased vehicles that
were half way across the
country! Why not fly in to
pick up your new beauty
and drive her home?
Please visit our
Road trip Calculator
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