Hailing from an awesome period of American car design the second-generation Chevrolet Bel-Air built on the success of its older brother, the Mark 1. The Bel-Air was produced between 1950-75 and during this period it would go through a staggering eight generations all building on the success of the previous model. With the Americans on a roll throughout the ’50s, the Bel-Air is now considered an icon of the 1950s.
For the second generation, the Bel-Air received more modern styling and was nicknamed ‘the hot one’ by Chevrolet. These days this car is highly sort after and collectable, especially here in the UK where we were never offered the option to buy from new. With most of the cars leaving the factory as the more recognisable hardtop it is an oddity to find a convertible version.
The history of this car is hard to piece together due to a lack of paperwork so we can only really comment on its more recent history. Before the current owner got the car a couple of years ago it was in the collection of someone who used it as a day-to-day car, which is probably why modern gauges have been fitted to the interior. When you look at the gingham-lined suitcase on the rear and tow bar fitted you can just imagine this piece of 50’s Americana sitting in an English field enjoying a weekend away with your vintage caravan.
The best part of this car's most recent history is that it was used as a prop car for a movie, after it finished that chapter of its life it went to the current owner. Within the past couple of years, they haven’t been able to give it the amount of time and attention that a classic needs and therefore it is now being offered for sale. With this being more of a light project, it is for someone who wants to be able to make this car theirs. There is a large community of people in the UK who collect, drive and build classic American cars so you will not have to search too hard before you find a collective of people who are willing to join in.
Sadly, there is no paperwork other than the V5 that will come with the car. It’s a shame as it would’ve been nice to see where it has been in the past. However, this gives the new owner a lovely black slate to create a car that they want. With a bit of love, this would be a great run-around that will turn heads.
The interior of this Bel-Air could do with a little bit of work, at some point in the past the seats have been covered with a patchwork of wool, a unique way to trim an interior, it seems to have not agreed with one of the previous owners. The front seat has had the wool taken off, but it remains on the rear seat. Although it could do with some work all the parts appear to be there to work with so there shouldn’t be a huge headache sourcing expensive parts from overseas.
With the most recent owners using it as a daily driver there are some modern features within the interior. These include a modern fuel gauge, tachometer, and battery voltage meter. There is also a modern JVC radio with speakers mounted on the floor just behind the driver’s bench.
As you can see this is a convertible version of the Bel-air, but it appears to have been fitted with an aftermarket hood that has a more coupe/fastback feel to it. When the roof is up both the front and rear sections of the interior feel roomy and comfortable, once you remove the hardtop it feels even more light and airy and with the wind, in your hair, you will feel amazing.
The only section of the car we were unable to see on the day of the photoshoot was the boot, there didn’t appear to be a key that would fit the lock properly.
At face value, the interior of this Bel-Air may look like it needs a lot of work, but at most, it could do with a re-trim and tidy up. All the shiny parts appear to be there, and it has been able to retain its classic look and feel even though some modern intervention. The interior of this Bel-Air will look amazing again when the new owner has spent a bit of time sorting it out.
The exterior of this Bel-Air is in remarkable condition; all the body panels appear straight and with all the factory trim still proudly on show, it looks, unlike any modern car. The blue and white colour scheme may not be to everyone’s taste but it does make it stand out from the crowd and what’s the point of having a car that blends in with everyday traffic, so why not be different and drive a blue and white 1950’s Bel-Air.
This car left the factory as a convertible version but over the past almost 70 years someone has decided to change the traditional fold-down hood to one that looks sleeker. Much more akin to a coupe of fastback the newer roof folds away neatly behind the rear seats and is neatly hidden with a matching tonneau cover.
From looking around the car there only appears to be two pieces that have decided to leave the company of the car. The rear right wheel hubcap is no longer attached and there is an ‘R’ missing from the Bel-Air insignia on the driver’s side rear haunch. Minor details when you consider the age and usage of this car.
Overall, the exterior is in great condition, like the interior, it could do with a little bit of work here and there. After that work is complete however it will be one of the best-looking cars on the road.
It is tricky to comment on some of the mechanical aspects of the car, but what we can say is that his car is fitted with the Inline-six offering which is then mated to amazingly titled ‘power glide’ gearbox. Starting with some good news that after a new battery was fitted it did fire into life sound smooth, but like any old car, a tune-up wouldn’t go amiss. The gearbox and other running gear were not tested on the day of the photoshoot, they may well work, but they haven’t been tested recently. Another bonus is that the brakes aren’t seized, and it could easily be placed on a trailer to get it back home.
With this car being used as a daily driver for one of the recent owners it is clear that it has had some mechanical love to make sure that it has been kept up to a safe and roadworthy condition.
A prospective buyer could see this as a perfect excuse to LS swap this Bel-air and turn it into a proper hot-rod or you could the other way and possibly electrify it and future proof it long into the next century. This Bel-Air provides massive mechanical potential, with some work complete on the running gear you can have a perfectly comfortable and easy-to-use classic car that will never fail to turn a few heads.
If you have looked at American cars from the 50s and compared them to British contemporaries they were miles ahead in design and features. Thanks to their timeless lines and shedloads of chrome they highly sort after in a world full of boring SUVs.
With a bit of work this piece of Americana will be bought up to an amazing standard and ready for car shows up and down the country. This car offers you a perfect blank canvas to create the car that you have always wanted to create and being a rare convertible, you will be hard-pressed to find another one.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1954 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible
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