Vehicle Description
1950 Chevrolet Styleline Bel Air
The new 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air was Chevrolet's first hardtop and
the pioneer pillarless coupe in the low-priced market. Buick,
Cadillac, and Oldsmobile turned out sumptuous "hardtop
convertibles" in 1949, but neither Chrysler nor Ford had one on the
market. A Bel Air, advised the sales brochure, was "open to the
summer breeze" yet "snug against the wintry wind," with "the
coziness and permanence of an all-steel top." In short, you got
both sportiness and all-weather comfort.
As advertised, "open to the summer breeze, yet snug against the
wintry wind", this pillar less coupe was a new concept for its
time, and now graces our hallowed halls here at Classic Auto Mall.
A nicely appointed example with all the extras attached such as
fender skirts, spotlights a roof visor and two-tone paint, she
presents nicely with just a few faults that can easily be buttoned
up to make her just right.
Exterior
Straight rust-free steel panels minding their gaps fairly nicely
are bathed in medium gray that is showing in good shiny shape. Just
slight areas of orange peel overspray are noted near all that
stainless trimming. Speaking of which is all in nicely plated
condition, where only at one point do we note some slight rust on
one of the horizontal bars on the front grille section passengers
side. Nice clean headlight bezels make a good start to a trim spear
that streaks rearward and dies in mid door. Below is a wheel well
to wheel well stainless trim, looking shiny and adding highlight to
the bottom of this car. A trimmed metal visor adds a little
protection to the sun and hangs off the front of the roof, both
covered in black. The rear "B" pillar is nicely thinned framing the
rear roll down window, and the curved rear window, hence the
hardtop convertible namesake. Additionally, dual side spotlights
are optioned on, as well as body matching fender skirts completing
the bump out rear quarters. Tri pointed star wheel covers are
bordered by red painted steel wheels and wrapped in wide whites all
around.
Interior
Simply wild, a virtual visual orgasm with the black and white
vertical striped door panels, and seat inserts. Black vinyl covers
the bolsters on the front split bench, and rear bench. There's
definitely a party from early 1950 going on in here! Door sills and
surrounds still sport the original turquoise color, and the inside
of the door jambs and lower door panels that meet with the rockers
show heavy surface rust and water damage. Fronting the original
dash is a white bakelite steering wheel with a dual winged chrome
band for the horn, and snazzy center badge. Behind is an unrestored
dash, that presents with surface rust, and in dark green dash top,
and gray dash front. A singular circular gauge cluster centers
itself in front of the steering column and has a pitted surrounding
bezel. In the center of the dash is a large vertical ribbed chromed
rectangle which houses a vertically oriented radio, speaker
openings, a clock, and the obligatory ashtray and lighter. Black
carpet covers the floors and is in good condition, and the short
shaved mohair headliner is original and shows some aging with brown
fading, and a few small tears in a slight sag. Nice stainless
arches hold this headliner up.
Drivetrain
A hopped up 216ci Inline 6-cylinder is mounted in the middle of the
previously restored engine bay. This sports a trio of 1-barrel
carburetors on the Offenhauser intake side. Fenton headers are
attached, as is a 2-speed automatic power glide transmission which
pushes power rearward to a 3.55 rear axle. Mostly clean and
definitely an earlier restoration.
Undercarriage
Starting at the rear underneath we see a shiny new fuel tank which
is in a field of surface rust, and some invasive rust on the spare
tire bump, and areas of the inside rockers. Frame is solid with a
smattering of surface rust. Floorpans are clean and rust free, and
a newer exhaust snakes its way rearward blowing through dual Cherry
Bomb mufflers. Independent coil springs are up front on the
suspension side, and leaf springs are on the rear. Drum brakes are
the standard for the time and are on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
This car we got to crank, but never start, condition unknown.
I suspect a painted exterior on the panels seems to offset a
multitude of sins in the door jambs, rockers underneath, and rear
suspension. This car is literally 90 percent complete, and with
just a bit of sweat equity could be really nice on all fronts. Just
a little TLC on areas not seen but certainly important to the
overall health of this automobile. All here for the taking, right
out of 1950.
Please note, this vehicle does not come with a battery.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.