A list of Chevrolet’s sales disappointments of the 1950s would have to include the Nomad. It was a 2-door “Sport Wagon” based on the Chevy Bel Air and derived from a 1954 Corvette concept car. Fewer than 23,000 were… more»
Bel Air
Hot Rod Candidate? 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a textbook example of auto design evolution. From its awkward beginnings in 1950, plagued by leftover ’40s styling, to the prominent ponton fenders of 1952, the glamorous greenhouse of the ’55, and the batwing… more»
Patinamod? 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
The Chevy Nomad was a Sport Wagon built between 1955 and 1957. It carried Bel Air trim and shared little key sheet metal with other 2-door wagons from the doors back. It was based on a 1954 Corvette show… more»
One Family Owned: 53k Mile 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air
The 1958 Chevrolets are noteworthy today for being a one-year-only design. After the Tri-Fives of 1955-57, the cars became longer, wider, lower, and heavier in 1958. But Chevy would throw that out the window with another all-new “batwing” look… more»
One-Year Wonder: 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air
When Chevrolet designers were hard at work developing their all-new cars for 1958, they didn’t know the impact Chrysler’s “Forward Look” models of 1957 would have on styling. The Dodges, Plymouths, and Chryslers looked futuristic and sleek, while the… more»
409/4-Speed: 1963 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Bel Air got a new front-end treatment for the 1963 model and continued to be the mid-range offering in the Chevrolet line-up, with a host of engine options including three varieties of the 409. This 1963 Bel Air… more»
427/4-Speed: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe
The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air remains one of the most iconic American classics from that decade and has been a strong market performer for many years. They have always been a target for enthusiasts, with some choosing faithful restoration… more»
Weekend Driver? 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
To many, the 1957 edition of the so-called “Tri-Five” Chevrolets of 1955-57 are the best looking. And perhaps the most collected, even though the production numbers by year didn’t vary much. This ’57 Sport Coupe in Bel Air trim… more»
Solid Driver: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
I was once asked to compile a dream car list, but I could only choose one car from each decade. I struggled with some, but the 1950s was a no-brainer. It couldn’t be anything but a Matador Red 1957… more»
Needs Interior: 1966 Chevrolet Bel Air
In its heyday in the 1950s, the Bel Air was Chevrolet’s top-of-the-line automobile. Then came the Impala and then the Caprice, so the Bel Air was repositioned toward the bottom of the rung by 1966. The rather stark Biscayne… more»
Gold Plated 50 Millionth Tribute: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
In the Fall of 1954, General Motors was preparing to celebrate its 50 millionth vehicle to roll off the assembly line. The honor went to a new 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe that was gold-plated from head to… more»