The term “bubbletop” actually didn’t come about until 1962 when it was used by some to differentiate the Bel Air 2-door sport coupe’s roofline from the more formal roof on the Impala 2-door hardtop. But the terminology has since spilled over to the 1959-61 models. This 1960 Bel Air is a project that was started but never completed. It runs, but only around the neighborhood and the body and interior are going to need some work. Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, this car is available here on eBay where the bidding sits at $7,600 with an unmet reserve. For $10,000, you can click and move to the head of the class.
Fourth-generation Bel Airs (as well as Biscaynes and Impalas) were redesigned for 1959-60, making the 1958 model a one-year-wonder. The cars carried a very different, leaner look with tailfins and “cat’s eye” taillights which were thankfully dropped for 1960 for the soon-to-be-famous pairs of circular units (triples on the Impala). These cars were 11 inches longer than the 1957 models, making the Chevies the longest cars in the low-priced range, whereas they had been the shortest just a couple of years earlier. The car’s “X” frame from 1958 was used but enlarged and strengthened to support the new body.
The former owner of this ’60 Bel Air had it in his garage for nearly 17 years until his wife laid down the law and it had to go. Mechanically, it may be a sound car than runs, with its original 283 cubic inch V8 still under the hood, paired with Chevy’s 2-speed Powerglide automatic. It has a new fan belt for the generator, but otherwise the engine compartment has the look of a long-dormant car. The brakes work, so the car is capable of being loaded on a trailer under its own power.
This car’s exterior is finished in a combination of light blue and grey primer (grey may actually be the original color of the Bel Air). From the photos provided, it looks as though some patch work has already been done underneath but more will be needed in terms of floor pans, trunk floor and the right front inner rocker panel. The bumpers are off the car but will go with it and there are several pieces of brightwork in the trunk as the seller believes the Bel Air is 95% complete. Inside the car, at a minimum the seat covers in the front will need replacing.
A new set of tires has been installed, so no need to worry about May-Go brand tires (you know, may go at any speed). The transaction will include an Ohio title and other paperwork accumulated over time. The mileage reading is just shy of 90,000, which could be accurate. In 1960, Chevrolet built more than 200,000 sport coupes in its full-size series of cars (don’t forget the Corvair came out that year). But it’s unclear how the split was between the Bel Air and the Impala.
61 Bel Air ?1960 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. Doesn’t anybody proof read these articles?
A slip of the keyboard. I proof these things three times and still it happens. Thanks for catching. It’s been corrected.
Does anyone know the production numbers for the 60 Belair Sports Coupe?
From what I see,they are fairly rare.
A Belair with an Impala body more or less.
Poor mans Impala I’ve seen it called.
Say what you want but I still think current bid is a lot of $ for a car in this condition. With that said I’m confident someone will push BIN to secure it -that’s an attractive design indeed. Will sure make a cool project if one has the means to pull it through ‘cuz it will need everything attended.
According to the cowl tag this Chev started life wearing Ermine White/ Sateen Silver so the author is correct in his indication of it being gray when new. Also the upholstery should be gray cloth/vinyl combo. Rear seat is out of a ’60 ‘pala with color matching current paint job. Even though many would fall to the temptation to ‘Impala-ize’ it IMO it’d be much more fair to the vehicle to let it keep its BelAir heritage
Must just be me. I’ve been viewing this site for several months now and enjoy it very much. However, I am constantly stunned at the bidding wars on vehicles that appear to me to be not much more than parts cars. The descriptions, in more than a few cases, are so misleading as to border on outright lies. Often, the seller is covered in nebulous language that I would have difficulty determining who actually owns the vehicle. Title problems seem happen too often and is an immediate red flag to me. Other than my griping I do like the comments and the knowledge that this audience has shown. Keep up the good work.
Low rider
Not a Belair. Side trim is Biscayne & only two tail lights. Impala had three.
VIN starts with 01537N = BelAir 6cyl 2dr sports coupe built in Norwood OH.
Biscayne side trim was a ‘Flying Wing’ only, BelAir added a short fuselage and thin chrome ‘condensation stripe’ while the Impala had the longer fuselage stretching onto the door and wide painted ‘condensation stripe’
http://www.chevyclassicsclub.com/wp-content/themes/chevyclassicsclub/pdf/tech0113.pdf
Sheriff is correct, my error.
Appears to have a 348 grill emblem..
Ad indicates 283 original,which is it ????
Engine or Grill Emblem change ???
it should be a 348 tri power. mine was but this car is Hinze 57 i know leave bolts out of a chevy is ok but this one is different
Not a 348. Valve covers are SBC.
Ron: car probably hit in front, grille/emblem change. I’ve seen a lot of early impalas with wrong emblem there, not matching the back ones also! Three different ones so whatever the junkyard had!
@local_sheriff
You wrote: ” Even though many would fall to the temptation to ‘Impala-ize’ it IMO it’d be much more fair to the vehicle to let it keep its BelAir heritage”
I agree. Impalas are so common but how many Bel Airs do you see in 2-door hardtops? It’s sort of like ’55 Chevrolets. Bel Airs are so common but how many ’55 2-door hardtop 210s do you see?
And I love the ’55 210s and the ’60 Bel Air 2-door hardtops because each is simple in its approach to body trim. And beautiful.
Larry, I so TOTALLY agree with you. I’m more and more starting to appreciate any of the lesser models. The top dogs seem to have become the norm in the vintage car hobby while, back in the day, there was such a wide array in trim levels. As you also point out, the cheaper models’ more simplistic ornaments are still unique and beautiful in their own right.
I’ve had the impression TriFives should be well covered by the repop industry, it may be that just about everyone who builds (and buys) them expects any TriFives should be BelAirs. The X-frame Chevs are mostly focused towards the ‘pala; however I’m noticing more model-specific parts are also being introduced to the ‘lesser’ X-frames, still there’s a LONG way to go. Those more budget-oriented models definately deserve more appreciation IMO
Not to mention the Belair is half the price of the Impala. That sells me.
The first year “bubbletop” was actually started with the 1961 Impala lineup as I recall. My Father had a beautiful 1961 Impala White on Blue in 1967.
The listed 1960 hardtop is the lower lineup and a Bel Air model as stated by others. I have a nice built 327 with a Muncie 4 spd that would be a great addition to this car. It would sure look good in my garage.
Cacar dude, I also was thinking 327 4 speed. This car is decent enough that if you wanted one, grab the coin and go for it, love a 60 and the bubbletop is the icing on the cake. Needs an appraisal, make an offer and see what happens. good luck and stay safe!
Cheers
GPC
It’s nice to see ‘Plain-Janes’ getting recognized in the collecting world. The same goes for 4 doors. There was a time when if a collectible car wasn’t a top-of-the-line 2 door, no one was interested. I’m not sure if it’s because there are fewer and fewer 2 doors or because they’re more and more expensive!
I do think the 4-doors are being accepted partly because of the high prices for the 2-doors. But I also believe people have started noticing how good looking many of the 4-doors are, especially the hardtops. I love a ’56 or ’57 Bel Air 4-door HT, a ’58 Buick Limited, a ’59 Pontiac Bonneville Flat Top, a ’61 Oldsmobile 98 and many, many others. Especially when all four windows are down.
Cars that we used to think were dorky aren’t so dorky anymore. And I’m noticing this more and more with the AMC/Hudson cars from the mid 50s. Oh how beautiful is a ’57 Nash Ambassador Country Club. And let’s not forget the offerings from Packard/Studebaker such as the ’58 Packard Hawk.
I am so glad I grew up during this period I did to have experienced the wonderful cars and music that we enjoyed so much. And still do!!
I’m a child of the 50s and the 60s and remember every October the new model introductions. My birthday is in October and one of my presents was being taken around to all the dealers, collecting the latest brochures! If only I had kept them!
@Steve Clinton
You wrote: “I’m a child of the 50s and the 60s and remember every October the new model introductions.”
Oh I do too! And I give a lot of credit to my dad for taking me to see all the new models each fall. He didn’t care for cars at all. But he knew how much I loved them so he took me. This would have been from 1958 thru 1961.
After that, we moved to another state. My mother worked in an office in town. So, when the new model years arrived, a friend of mine and I would ride to town with her and we would go to all the dealerships in the town. It would take most of the day but oh how we enjoyed that.
I did get a lot of brochures, too. I know in later years after I moved out, my mother threw some of them out but not all. So I do still have quite a few of them to leaf thru to reminisce that wonderful period of my life. By the way, I really did pick out some of the most obscure sales brochures.
Thanks, Dad!
When l was 18yrs old my father and me went to the local Chevrolet dealer and with dads help l purchased a black 1960 Chevrolet 2 door hard top and I will always remember the great feeling.of ptide I had driving that cool car. It was a Bel Air and not many of those were seen in those days.