We all know the story of the ’55-’57 Chevy. We have covered them extensively here on BF and there’s probably not much else that can be said. But what about their ’53-’54 predecessors? They’re really not as newsworthy probably for two reasons, frumpier, though not bad, styling and the lack of a V8 engine. Regardless, 1953 Bowtie production was, domestically, number one that year – a full 100K units ahead of number two Ford – they must have been doing something right. Today’s find, a top-drawer 1953 Chevrolet BelAir convertible, was as good as things got in ’53 and this Lusk, Wyoming resident is as nice an example of that often over looked two-year Chevy run as I have encountered. It’s available, here on eBay for $18,100 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $30,000 available too.
Out of the 1.3 M Chevrolets produced in ’53, 24K were top-down equipped BelAir models. Having been introduced in 1950, the Bel Air was the top drawer trim level until it was supplanted by the Impala in ’58. Lower-level trims included the 210 and 150 series which were offered in two and four-door sedan body styles, four-door station wagons, and in the case of the 210, a two-door hardtop and convertible option as well.
Before Chevrolet’s vaunted small block V8 was introduced for the ’55 model year, an in-line six-cylinder powerplant was as rich as it got and this BelAir still has its original 108 gross HP, 235 CI engine. We’re told that this 123K mile example “runs like a dream” and makes forward progress thanks to its “three-on-the-tree” three-speed manual transmission. The engine compartment appears to be complete and unmodified.
The interior is certainly bright and clean – pretty snazzy with its two-tone pattern but it’s likely not original as it appears to be upholstered in what looks like a velour-type material. And the triple combination of age, mileage, and top down operation would usually yield a more worn appearance. What’s really notable, however, is how the driver’s door panel and the passenger panel are so dissimilar. The passenger side looks original but not the driver’s side – that’s a real restoration faux-pas. Other than that mishap, the rest of it pulls together pretty well.
As for the exterior, the listing mentions, “minimal rust and the bottom side is clean” and continues with, “Perfect for car shows, this stunning vehicle boasts a radiant red color“. I’d rate the finish as being fair – no word as to its age, but the chrome and extensive stainless trim is dull – but complete. The body panels seem to align well and the body appears to have escaped any obvious crash damage. The convertible top presents well but I wonder if there is a rear window.
This is a nice discovery primarily because this vintage Chevy seems often forgotten and a convertible version, these days, is a seldom seen. Now, I’m not certain where the reserve is set, but as far as the $30K BIN price goes, I’m not feeling it, how about you?
I’d take this over a 55-57 any day, but not for $30,000, more like half that. And that #2 competitor may have came in 2nd, but it was much more tasteful looking. I couldn’t resist throwing that in there.
This is the first year a Belair convertible was available. In 1951 and 52 the Belair was only offered as a 2 door hardtop.
Love this car, but the velvet interior is hideous.
# 2 is listed at 47k and a #3 car is at 25k. I find that this car would be between a 3 and a #4 fair condition car. Probably in the high teens.
The interior is just wrong on several levels in addition to the mismatched door cards, bad trim, old paint and it seems as though the top has shrunk and does not fit the door glass very well. all in all I’m surprised that it has been bid up this much. Don’t get me wrong it would be OK in a parade.
The driver’s door needs alignment. On the passenger-side the glass aligns as it should.
My father’s first car was a new 1953 green and yellow sedan which I remember when I was 5 yrs old at that time.
The $30,000 BIN price reminds me of how much collector cars have gone up in price drastically. For example, while living in Virginia Beach, VA 1978-1980, I stopped by at a car lot that only sold vintage cars. I had never seen such a car lot before. I remember drooling over their 1950 mint condition red Ford convertible. I asked the price and the guy said, “35”? I asked, “do you mean thirty five dollars?” He laughed, and said, “$3,500”. I was shocked at that high price for such an old car. I had just bought my new 1978 AMC Concord for $5,200. At that time I had no clue about the collector car industry. But I guess considering the value of the dollar today, that $3,500 back then is probably worth $30,000 in today’s dollars.
Mismatched door cards – one grimy and one apparently brand-new. Thick velour upholstery but no rubber cover on the clutch pedal.
And no rear glass. You KNOW if he had it he’d have put it up. Either it’s a later top with Plexiglas, crazed from the sun; or else it’s missing or no longer fits.
I like this one. After 30 years of it, I’m overdosed on Tri-Fives. This seemed dowdy in my youth – these were typically owned by old widows going to church, and the paint burned and streaked with rust (and that wear only a decade later!) but now, it looks fresh.
Contrary to some, I LIKE the velour upholstery. Even the color – better than the tan mohair that most of these cars seemed to come off the line with.
It looks like a light restoration that ran out of motivation, money or time, and someone wants to cash in. And well he may; but…details, details, DETAILS! Even a grand on all the missing trim/glass would pay off in the final sale price, and give bidders some confidence.
My ’54 had blue and white thick vinyl factory upholstery that looked like leather. One of the reasons I bought the car. Matched the blue and white exterior which really made a good looking car.
30k for a rather neat specimen. Yeah it is a driver but it is a convertible not one of the bazillion 4 doors or 2 door posts that still lurk in barns, yards, fields. Maybe it is just my area but I would say there are atleast a dozen of these 52 to 54 Chevies lying about. You also still see quite a few Dodge/ Plymouth units of this Era too. In elementary school we had a music teacher that drove a green 4 door. The car was the typical 20 year old faded, bleached, rusted unit with the fuzz puffing seats.A blanket in plaid for the front and fuzz puffing from the top of the rear seat. The car was quiet when she fired it up and she clinkety clanked the shifter and went out of the school parking lot. Hers was missing a headlight ring and down along the railroad tracks was a two door one that had been left for dead. I would ride my bike down the tracks to the swamps and abandoned cars and there was a cool junkyard that I would play in. I took a ring from that car and gave it to her.The first thing she said was”did you steal this?” I explained where and how i got it and then I got the “you shouldn’t be playing near the railroad tracks”. The following week the ring was on the car though and i did get a thank you but “stay away from the tracks”I like these but the two door hardtop is to me the beauty of this run. I would buy a funky green 4 door if I ever stumbled across an original functioning unit like my music teachers car. I look back and realize I had car-itous early in life. This convertible is a nice example. I would certainly buy this before some of these rat bag sonar blip Camaros and other overhyped muscle junk that you need a broom to sweep up what’s left or a 10k Chevette,…oh wait a 24k Pacer. Yes this car is a good find to me and I’m sure there is a little bargaining for a real buyer.
Nice car but a bit rough around the edges for the asking price. After owning a ’54 two door sedan I got to appreciate the nice design of the ’53s and ’54s. Bought right could be a fun car to have.
Dad bought a 1953 new. Two door manual transmission light blue and white. I still have a picture of the family standing next to it while crossing some body of water on a ferry in the NC Outer Banks in 1956. Five year old me was already car nuts. I’m sure I spent most of the driving time standing behind Dad while I “drove” my toy car making car noises in is ear. He must have been a saint to put up with it. This convertible has a lot going for it but lots of warts too. I think that if this sells the final price will be somewhere in the middle between the BIN and current bid. Probably a decent buy in today’s market. I’m like a lot of other folks on this site who can’t quite wrap my mind around the new improved prices for collector cars. I’m not sure though that this constant upward trend is sustainable however. As more of we old geezers age out of the market interest in the vehicles we grew up with will rapidly decline. Then again I could be totally wrong ( and not for the first time) and the millennials and Zoomers will surprise me. GLWTS.
This isn’t a $30K car (unless you have more money than brains.)
I put ‘54 tail lights on my ‘53 , and ‘56 olds “flipper” hubcaps. Twin cherry bomb glasspacks, as well. Sounded so fine, especially going thru tunnels on downshift.
Sounds like my ’54 except I had Dodge Lancer spinners on it. They do make sweet noise with the split headers.
Even at $19K, it seems a bit much, especially with the miss-matched door panels, velour seats, no rear vinyl window, worn chrome bumpers…
Ouch! That interior😢
Having driven a 4 door 1953 Chevy through high school and college this would be a wonderful return to youth just in time for retirement. Love the 3-tree on these cars. 235 CI engine just right for my life stage at 62! Will be monitoring bidding…
Not original. Hideous interior. ’53 Chevys didn’t have suspended brake and clutch pedals. Some Rub Goldberg modification. Not a $30K vehicle.
The pedals are through the floor, take a closer look.
Except for the mismatched door panels, I really don’t understand all the hate towards the interior. I mean, nothing screams 50s more than red & white. I do have to agree on the seat covering, I would prefer it be vinyl. Otherwise, I think it looks pretty good. Ok, strike me down.
It’s a shame about that restoration faux-pas with the jarring conflicting reds. Ouch. How could that happen? But it’s a relatively easy fix redo with proper color matching, easy but not without putting out a few bucks for a good job. The dash and steering wheel look mint beautiful. Even the carpeting is acceptable. The car is definitely ready for the parade.
I’d be willing to bet that apart from the sheet metal and the lack of an available V8, they are essentially the same car.
The 235 was still a Babbitt bearing motor with splash oiling unless you got the new Powerglide automatic, then you got insert bearings and pressurized oiling. I’ve got a friend with a 53 with the Powerglide, he drives it everywhere up to 75 mph, Babbitt motor would puke its guts at that speed.
I’ve seen a few 53-54’s done up pretty nice, but stock they are potato cars, lumpy and frumpy. But Ford and Chrysler the same age were no better looking.
You’re kidding, Ford was way better looking, and more modern. Even the critic Tom McCahill gave Ford a thumbs up for the 52-54 models.
“but stock they are potato cars, lumpy and frumpy. ” Oh, I like that.
Underground like a wild potato..
If this was more fully restored, I could see $40k if it’s not needing anything. That engine is perfect. Mom had a yellow one when dad met her. His Porsche 356 convertible was almost new when they got married in ’59. Mom loved her Bel-Air but small house and tiny driveway. 356 got the single car garage, dad bought her an MG Magnette sedan. Which I remember riding around in. I also remember my mom nagging my dad for 50 years how she missed her Chevy Bel-Air. As this car sits if it’s ready to drive around within reason, it’s $15k maybe. Less if it’s not as road worthy as mentioned. More if it is possibly. My gut says $15k as is. Which is where the bid stalling? Well. Anyway, these are well built clouds if done to original. Even better in person, sitting in the driver’s seat.
For $30,000 BIN it should be complete and proper. Why is there a hole in the trunk lid where the lock should be? Interior should be stock not a nice looking reproduction. Engine compartment looks dirty and tired It should look for pristine for 30 grand.
I don’t see these years appreciating much compared to 55 through ’60s Chevrolets. It’s basically a grandpa car with a ragtop.