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Barn Bound BelAir: 1964 Chevrolet Sedan

There was a time when ownership of a Chevrolet BelAir put one in the top drawer of GM’s entry-level brand. The Impala’s 1958 introduction knocked the BelAir back a notch and by the time that this ’64 BelAir rolled off of the assembly line it was considered a nice middle-class car for budget-conscious buyers. While not possessing the panache of the Impala and, in this case owning two-more doors, will this BelAir sedan be of interest to an old car buyer? Let’s look further and see if we can answer that question. Located in Kimberly, Alabama, this Chevy sedan is available, here on craigslist for $5,000. This one is another T.J. find, thx T.J.!

To add insult to injury, the mid-’65 arrival of the Caprice kicked the BelAir back even further in the pecking order. Well, at least it wasn’t the basement-dwelling Biscayne though after ’72 when the Biscayne got the 23 Skidoo, the BelAir became the anchor man. After ’75, it was gone, never to return though it did have some alternate life in Canadian markets.  Regardless of its stature, Chevrolet did manage to sell 317K BelAirs in ’64 – not too shabby!

Barn-bound since ’74 this example is a bit rough in the finish department but from what can be spied, the body looks to be sound. The passenger side of the rear bumper is missing, as is a taillight lens and some of the stainless trim but it does show as a complete car. The seller mentions that this Chevy got waylaid in ’74 because of a stuck rear brake, which seems like an unusual reason to barn banish a car, but if that’s the sole reason, it’s an easy fix. Or it was back then, there’s no telling what foibles the brake system has endured by sitting all of these years.

Under the hood is a 140 gross HP, 230 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine attached to a Powerglide automatic transmission. Stated as a non-runner, there’s no mention if the seller has tried to turn the engine over by hand. After all of these years, it wouldn’t be a surprise to find it seized. A 230 is about as durable a motor as they come but they’re not too inspiring in the get-up-and-go department.

No surprise inside is finding the plastic seat cover “protecting” the seat bottom. We had a ’64 BelAir in our family household and it had the same thing covering the front seat. It was a real thigh scorcher in summer weather! The interior in this vintage BelAir is a plain-jane affair but other than the missing steering wheel horn cap, it looks pretty complete. The only real noted wear is the carpet and that’s typical and easily remedied. This BelAir has one thing that ours didn’t, a radio!

 

While this example is in fair shape, I wonder if there will be a market for it considering that it’s not an Impala, it has two doors too many and two cylinders too few. There’s a behind for every seat, at a certain price point of course, so the question then is the price. What do you think at $5000, priced right or not quite?

Comments

  1. Avatar CCFisher

    Powerglide? I see a clutch pedal.

    Like 15
    • Avatar Jim ODonnell Staff

      The listing claims an automatic.

      JO

      Like 1
    • Avatar pat melanson

      Exactly what I was going to say, three on the tree! I’d love this car, but shipping tomCanada would kill the price.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Bob C.

      Better a standard with a six IMO. That 230 should come back to life with a little coaxing, if not seized.

      Like 3
  2. Avatar Richard moore

    Love this car. It would make a great restomod.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Rw

    I know people whine about LS motor swap but has anyone seen the new 409 style crate engine ? Would be great in this.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar JustPassinThru

    I see the wipers are all out-of-position, too. One is parked; the other is at full extension. So figure a lot of work under the dash with the linkage. I don’t think these could be accessed from the engine side of the firewall.

    There’s probably a lot more here than just bad brakes.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

      I would imagine. I can think of many things to upgrade this car. While I love the six cylinder engine, I’d upgrade the automatic transmission. Instead of the original 2 spd. Powerglide, I’d give it either a 3 spd. automatic or a 4 spd. auto if possible.

      Like 1
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      You must pull the grille panel between hood and windshield, then you have easy access to the linkage. However I’d first check out whether one of the wiper arms has churned splines

      Like 2
  5. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved the 1964 Chevy Impala/Bel Air. My uncle and aunt had one over 50 yrs. ago. The only thing I’ve never liked was the Powerglide 2 spd. automatic. Even a 6 cyl. powered car needs more gearing to cruise the freeway. I’d upgrade to either a 3 spd. or a 4 spd. auto.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Wmotor

    Clearly a 3 on the tree manual shift car. Insofar as wipers, look for connecting Rod to both wipers otherwise just turn off wipers and pull off arms and replace back in park position.
    Not difficult.

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    My favourite years for the Chevy Bel Air are 1963 and 1964.

    Like 1
    • Avatar pat melanson

      I learned to drive on a 3 on the tree Bel Ait wagon, it was huge!

      Like 1
  8. Avatar local_sheriff

    I’d say this is a darn cool find; we just hardly see el cheapo cars like this any longer. This is as basic as it gets with 1spd wiper, manual brakes and clock delete – wouldn’t be surprised if it’s manual steering too. Those door mirrors are not ’64 Chev pieces, probably bought from a local parts place to save a dime.

    I honestly hope this one will keep the I-6/3spd combo and remain a budget car in the hands of the next owner too! Nothing wrong with the I-6, after all a ’64 Chev is fairly light for a fullsize and will behave decently with a 3spd. I actually like this car BECAUSE it is so basic, adding a V8/auto+ all sorts of accessories would IMO just ruin what makes it appealing

    Like 3
    • Avatar Tom Black

      Are you sure about those mirrors? They look exactly like the ones on my sister’s ’64 Impala SS Convertible, (with the same 230 six).

      Like 0
  9. Avatar George Birth

    Looks like a decent car at a decent price. Seller set the price to leave room enough for necessary repairs. This one ought to sell fast. I’d buy one like this rather than the 59 Caddy listed at $60K. A lot more car for the price.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Lowrider!

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Hell no! The car’s ride height is perfect as is. It just needs to be cleaned up, and driven, and enjoyed as it is.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar John D

    I like it, the basic transportation especially the 3 on the tree makes me want this one. Yes it needs some work but the body looks pretty solid without major rust issues. I think it would be a fun ride. 5k back in the day it would have been 50 bucks still if it were close I would have a look in person.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

      I agree. I like keeping a vehicle as stock as can be, while upgrading what needs to be.

      Like 1
  13. Avatar CatieH

    The first new car my parents ever bought was a 1964 BelAir. When they moved up to a 1970 Caprice they gave it to my grandfather to drive. By they time he had to stop driving my younger sister inherited it. Someone tried to steal the battery in the high school parking lot and her boyfriend at the time hooked it back up backwards. It never ran right after that and was scrapped soon afterward. It spent it’s entire life with my family. Oddly enough I only drove it a few times. My older sister drove it for a summer when my grandfather went to Scotland but by the time it reverted to our family full time I had a 1967 Vauxhall Viva.

    Like 1

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