The Bel Air arrived in 1950 as the top trim line on Chevy’s passenger cars and was available at first as only a 2-door Sport Coupe. While the front clip was shared with the Fleetline and Styleline models, much of the sheet metal from the cowl back was unique to the Bel Air. This second-year edition looks like a restorable car that’s been in storage for several years. Located in Dinwiddie, Virginia, this 70-year-old classic is available here on craigslist for $3,500.
For 1950-52, the Bel Airs were part of the Styleline Deluxe series. They shared only their front sheet metal ahead of the A-pillar with other Chevies. The windshield, doors, glass, and trunk were common with the Styleline, while the roof, rear quarters, and rear windows were strictly Bel Air. Their overall appearance was the same as the others except that the roofline was lower and had a special three-piece rear window. The cars were named after the opulent Bel Air neighborhood in Los Angeles.
The ’51 models, like the seller’s car, were little changed from the prior year and more than 103,000 copies were built, the second-highest number within the Styleline Deluxe series. This car is being sold out of an estate for which the location of the title is unknown. When it was new, the Chevy wore an attractive white over burgundy red paint job. But now there is rust in several places, including the rear quarter panels, trunk lip, tire well, rear tail panel, and there’s also a dent in the right-side door. The glass is all there but the rear roll-down windows have spider cracks throughout.
Under the hood resides a 216 cubic-inch inline-6 with more than 90,000 miles. It may or may not be original and we’re told the mileage may be higher as the odometer is broken. As was typical in those days, the engine is paired with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. Most of the car is there (missing items include things like the radio), so there should be enough there to start a restoration or to serve as a donor for another Bel Air project. You don’t see these cars much anymore.
Google “Gene Swartz gasser”. His parents bought one of these cars new. In the early 60s he got the car from them, put a high winding small block in it and went racing. He was an NHRA record holder from about 1964-67. Now at 70+ years old, he still races at nostalgia events.
235 not a 216
216 with the 3 speed.
235 with the powerglide.
Once was a beautiful car and I love the roofline. Me thinks the owner is a trifle optimistic.
How are the doors the same as a Styleline? The Bel Air doors don’t have a window frame.
In the spring of ’63 I had a “blind date” (for those who meet on the internet, that was a situation where someone you knew knew someone she (usually) thought you should know, and set up a date.) Molly (not her real name which I have forgotten) arrived in a ’51 BelAire with a Powerglide which, unless you shifted to L, just smoothly and slowly accelerated in D. It was heavy (built on the convertible frame) and we slowly accended to the local parking spot in a late snowstorm. I got to first base, over that weekend, and got mononuceosis, spent three weeks in the infirmary, and almost did not graduate. Never saw her again. But it was a nice car.
Best story this month!
I’d rather see the picture of the girl and her car from your date.
….My Mom’s first car was a used 51 Chevy. Green with three on the tree. I don’t think it was a Belair. This poor thing looks rough…
Great story Charlie, thanks for sharing! I love that pillar less roofline, my birth year bucket list #1.
Sure would like more/better pictures