In 1961, you could order either a Chevy Impala or a Bel Air as a 2-door hardtop with the so-called “bubbletop” roofline. But in 1962, Chevrolet decided to go with a more formal roof for the upscale Impala, leaving the Bel Air as the only “bubbletop” with two doors. We’ve seen the seller’s ’62 Bel Air before, more than a year ago when it was first offered on a different platform (Craigslist). The location is different (but just 40 miles apart), yet the photos are the same, so we assume it never sold the first time. Available now from St. Paul, Minnesota (maybe through a dealer) and here on eBay, the current bid is $10,099 with an unmet reserve.
Here’s the information we had on this Bel Air the first time around. A ’62 Bel Air coupe like this one that has/had a 409 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed is quite valuable these days. But this auto didn’t likely go that route and the seller is throwing in a possibly viable 283 V8 that’s not in the car. The seller estimates that only 6,000 V8-powered Bel Air Sport Coupes (their real name) were built in 1962, with another 4,000 using a 6-cylinder engine. This car wears Tuxedo Black paint (whether original or an older repaint) and once had a red interior which has been removed.
It sounds as though most of the pieces are still around to recreate this Chevy, including fenders, wheel wells, hood, bumpers (all adding up to a front clip), and the elusive interior. Once a V8 with a column-shifted manual transmission, the Bel Air is said to have been in dry storage since the 1980s. The earlier review indicated that rust is present, but not overwhelming. So, if you’ve got a spare 409 lying around, perhaps this could make for an interesting (but expensive) project.
Saw off roof, junk car? I am glad I have enough projects for three life times. The prices for junk today is astonishing. The funny thing is I have a few dozen things that I kept that I considered junk and the few I listed over the years never even get close to the unreserved met bids I see on this crap. I recently had a 64 convertible that was a parts car to me. I listed it as such with all the convertible components and couldn’t get 500.00 bucks for the thing. A complete rolling rust bucket with a 283. I must be in a alternate universe..lol but hey it brought 438.00 at the shred and I did sell the windshield trim for 150.00. I would make a wager many of these lovely items are never picked up.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
IF, a big IF, you can find someone willing and able to pay that much, and they actually show up with the money and follow through.
I’m 100% with you. People are paying insane prices for a VIN. Amateurs ruined the market. They are going to get the overpriced junk to their home full of harbor freight tools. And in 6 months regret their poor choice.
Restoration is not like on TV. You don’t go to the fridge and come back to a new car. And buying a car part by part is another 50 to 70 THOUSAND DOLLARS on top of the purchase price.
Is this John reeves?
If it was a Mopar, it’d be triple the price, it’s beyond me how ppl have the money to pay thousands for basic junk, but I see it all the time !
I would say we all agree this 62 Bel Air is too far gone for anything except the crusher, let alone a restore. I think this poor mess is the worst thing I’ve ever seen here at Barnfinds. It didn’t sell the first time and it’s not just because of the $10,000 price, but it doesn’t help. I assume we will be seeing this same mess next year?
Now hold on a minute here Bill, I KNOW we’ve seen more than a few 2nd gen Chargers that were eye-watering…and whose prices were delusional to say the least…
And that said, I shoulda’ve held on to my ’68 RT for a few more years…
At 11k and reserve not met is quite a statement. I its not a 409 car or an SS so am I missing something. Good luck on the sale and to the buyer cause you are going to need deep pockets for this one.
$10K??? Where’s the rest of the car??
Parts car…IF that. Unbelievable price…seriously, what IS the seller thinking? It didn’t sell the first time and it certainly won’t sell the second time at this price.
In 1992 I finally had persuaded my neighbor to sell me his 70 chevelle. The car had been sitting in his backyard forever. The car had the original 396, column shifted automatic, tilt wheel, AC, cloth bench seat, power steering and brakes, full factory gauges, original exhaust and exhaust manifolds, 12 bolt rear. Non cowl induction hood. Forrest green with green interior. The car was completely sun baked, rear trunk lid spongey as hell but the truck floor still had factory paint no holes. Large hole in the floor under drivers feet where the window had been leaking over the years. Frame rock solid except for surface rust. I paid 2k for the car and pushed it into my garage. Three months later my wife got pregnant. I sat on that car for three years. Now this was before Facebook and all. I had to put it up for sale and I’ll tell you I sat on that car for months before I finally found a buyer who would give me the 2k I paid. It was ridiculous. The price stuff goes for today, I coulda got 20k as it sat. Everyday a piece of me regrets having sold it in the first place.
I guess if it doesn’t sell the first time wait a year and try again, didn’t sell in the first place for a reason. Anybody that has something that resembles a car or used to be a car figures it’s worth $10,000. Where will it all end
I never seen a 70 ss with cloth seats
I heard 396 mentioned but not SS, just saying
I wonder if the current bid waa submitted by the seller’s brother to prime the pump? Or someone who does not understand how decimal points work??
I was thinking the same exact thing!
“Social intercourse”?
Discourse…
That’s the album title of a late 80’s hair metal band called Smashed Gladys. Rock on!!🤘
Entirely too much money for a possible parts car. 👎
Who in the name of sake would want this except for parts?? 10k the old saying a fool born every minute. The dealer has family members running up the bid. This heap won’t sell.
Sweet!
Not enough Pics or Info. I bought a 62 SS 409 Roller mid 70s for $200, South Texas tad bit of rust. Stuck a 327 roller motor in it Was sitting in garage & some Evil Person poured water down carbs, moved to Houston, then somebody broke in garage & stole Tunnel Ram/Carbs & (2) M-22 Rock Crushers, Tools etc. Still want a Bubble Top someday, this Ad needs Better Description PS: I was just Venting. still have Impala
I don’t think this is worth the money. I wonder if people do not realize what the restoration costs are even when you do them yourself.
Here’s a clue on the reserve amount. This same car was shown in this condition on Craigslist in July, 2022 for $28,000.
Yowzah!
Yes, why buy a part’s car 🚗, for this kinda money, when you, can buy a better car, for less,it’s just not worth it.