The Bel Air nameplate was a Chevrolet mainstay in the U.S. from 1950 to 1975. It began as a snappy 2-door hardtop, but the series was expanded to other body styles beginning in 1953. The ’53 Chevies were heavily restyled versions of Chevrolet’s post-war cars – in anticipation of the “Tri-Fives” that would arrive in 1955. The seller’s 1953 Bel Air 4-door is a well-used sedan that was last started nearly 20 years ago. Needing a full restoration, this Chevy can be found in a garage in Wichita, Kansas, and is available here on craigslist for $3,500.

Beginning in 1953, the pecking order for Chevrolet cars would be the 150, 210, and Bel Air. That arrangement would continue through 1957. Since a V8 was still two years away, the seller’s car should be equipped with a 235 cubic inch inline-6 that would have been rated at a whopping 108 horsepower. However, a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission was included as manual shifters were slowly finding new competition. In 1953, Chevy produced more than 246,000 multi-door sedans in Bel Air trim, like the seller’s car.

From what we’re told, this Bow-Tie was last started in 2007. So, it’s safe to assume it will need work now, though the 6-banger was rebuilt 10 years before that. This machine must have been a busy beaver in its first 50 years, as the odometer has turned over and still shows 84,000 miles. Somewhere along the way, the car has been converted from a 6-volt system to a 12-volt as that’s the kind of battery under the hood. Needless to say, the ole Chevy will need a new set of tires.

We’re told the body is good, though the driver’s side rocker panels seem to have caught the rust blight. Anything that’s been sitting for at least two decades is bound to have run across more corrosion. The interior is worn out from the effects of both Mother Nature and the passage of time. So, the next buyer should go into this thinking a full restoration is in order. If you can get away with less, so be it. An attaboy goes to “Zappenduster” for the tip!