Large sedans were common on American Highways in the early 70’s. Most stereotypes of American automotive bliss are large sedans. That is no exception for this 1970 Chevrolet Bel Air. This example is blue paint with blue interior and is in roadworthy condition. Being recently pulled from a barn and cleaned up, you can take it home for $9,500. The listing is posted on Craigslist. Thank you to Michael for the tip on this car.
The car has 28,000 miles on it. Powering it is a 250 horsepower 350 V8, with a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. That combination of engine and transmission was standard of the V8 variety. There was a 6 cylinder option below it, and three more powerful V8 engine options above it. 1970 was the first time the Bel Air was only offered as a sedan. This car has the original build sheet from the factory to verify all the options and originality.
The condition of the interior for its age is incredible. With the column shifter, the passenger count is 6. The iconic horizontal speedometer looks to be in great shape as well as all the buttons and dials for the clock, radio, climate controls, and other functions. There was an available option from the factory for an 8-Track player for this year, but this car does not have it. Other interior options would have been an adjustable steering wheel and six-way power seat.
1970 was the last year for the sixth generation Bel Air. By that time, the Bel Air had been in production for 20 years, and sadly, only had 5 years left as the seventh generation. At least, in the American Market. While it was the fourth bestselling platform in history, their presence today does not reflect that. It is hard to find these cars, especially like this one in such great condition. With very little time and effort, this car can be a great example of American automotive history.
Now there’s a car you don’t see much any more. Good looking for it’s age
Very nice, let’s hope it finds a good home with an owner who will preserve it.
This was my first car. Mine was an Impala but it was the same color,4 Drs and 350 V8. Bought it for$650 in 1979. Got around 8mpg. And that summer we had gas shortages, and rationing. Sold it that fall and bought a 4 cylinder Pinto
Here is one that I can talk about as I own one but in 2 doors hardtop form. Yes they did built 2 doors Bel Air in 1970 but in Canada only and sold for the Canadian market too. The Bel Air nameplate last until 1981 in Canada was available in 2 doors too. The 1970 Bel Air share the exact body as the Impala Sport Coupe (3458 units built in 1970).
And now for this example, this Bel Air have drums to all corners and let me tell you that it’s not a fast stopper.
This one is in incredible condition but I think the price is a little over. Sedan Bel Air like this one are straight car, no interesting option. It’s more like 7k$ value car IMHO.
It seems that 4-doors have long been ignored by the hot rod community which makes it good for classic car enthusiasts – they’re cheap, more common and were usually driven by little-old-ladies so they have low mileage, well maintained and never raced.
Here’s my ’65 4-door post I just found in British Columbia, Canada. 32k original miles, original paint and interior, radio delete, 283 V8. Got it for pennies!
These were common cars, got plenty of use, traded off and sent to the wrecker, simple as that.
Still got more class than just about anything new, hopefully it will stick around for a decade more.🌝
A friend of mines father had a blue 70 Impala four door when we were in high school. I remember he borrowed it occasionally and it ran excellent for a car with 165,000 miles. The 350 engine was never rebuilt and it had a Powerglide transmission. The father drove it for at least another two more years.
I think you’re mistaken about 1970 being the first year Bel Aire was only available in a sedan. I don’t recall any hardtops sold after ’58.
Hardtop Bel Air stop being produced in 1962 in USA. They continued to built 2 doors post Bel Air until 1969. Just like the Biscayne.
There were Bel Air hardtops sold in the US. through the 1961 model year.
I learned to drive in one of these 1970 Bel Airs. My high school had a small fleet of them for the driver’s education classes. Ran well, handled well, but it was a really big car!
I had a very nice 70 Kingswood which is the wagon equal to an Impala. It was fathom blue with no roof rack. had the 350/300 hp and turbo 350 tranny, I bought a caprice for parts and robbed it of its 12 bolt rear and front disc brakes which that tank desperately needed., I had just about finished it with new enamal paint in original color. One day I decided to drive it to work when a 93 year old dude ran a red light. you can guess the rest. the motor didnt even stall but the drivers front wheel was folded under the frame! later bought a 68 custom Impala to replace it but what I really wanted was another wagon. this one is nice but it is not a wagon. have I mentioned I like wagons?
Bel air hardtops were built at least through 1962 model year. They made a light weight bubble top body with the 409 ci. for drag racing. I think in 1963 the only 2 door you could get was a sedan ( pillared ).
My father had a green Chevy with this body, I think it was a ’70 Impala. It was his company car. Not sure how he ended up with it, as he usually requested and got wagons back then. Not having a wagon, he packed the Chevy up one night for an early morning duck hunting trip. Somehow, the keys ended up locked in the trunk along with the guns and decoys. Dad dug out his tools and removed the rear seat. He was quite upset to discover a steel bulkhead between the seatback and the trunk where the cars off his youth didn’t have one. Rather than miss out on a hunting trip, he brought out a drill and a jig saw and cut an opening big enough for my little brother to climb through. My brother climbed in with a flashlight and found the keys among the decoys, saving the hunting trip. The Chevy’s snow tires seemed a bit louder after that. :)
I think that may have been his first car with cruise control and his last without a/c. I was impressed by the cruise control, it almost seemed like an autopilot to this 8 year old.
I have a 1969 Kingswood. I really like how these drive, but I think $9,500.00 is a lot of this car.
I hate to rain on the 4 door love parade but………….put it back in the shed.
Price is a little steep in my opinion for a 4-door.
Don’t get me wrong though…. I would love to have it in the garage and just use it for road trips. With a smooth ride and reliable sbc, the only thing to change is to add a vintage air kit. A major clean/polish would go along way on it also.
That’s all my dad bought. Bel Air sedans. Impalas were too fancy and Biscaynes were too spartan. But, he always got them with the I6 engine and a 3-speed manual. The I6 had no engine badge on the front fender. The year after Bel Airs were dropped, Chevrolet offered an equivalent model, the Impala S, which was a decluttered Impala.
My Dad bought a new 70 Biscayne 4 door mint green with black interior. 350 2 barrel and 3 on the tree. Would chirp 3 gear at about 75. If he only knew.
I knew a fellow many years ago who owned an identical car to this one except a Biscayne though, even the same color blue.