Vehicle Description
1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan
The 1962 Bel Air was available in a wide range of body styles,
including a 2-door coupe and hardtop, as well as a 4-door hardtop,
sedan and station wagon. Among these, the 2-door pillarless hardtop
was only available for the 1961 and 1962 model years. The lack of a
B-pillar, coupled with the wrap-around front and rear glass led to
the popular, if unofficial, Bubble Top designation. Powertrain
selections were updated for the 1962 model, retaining the 235ci
inline six and 283ci V8, but introducing the 327ci V8 in 250 or 300
hp variants. At the high end, the 409ci V8 became available
following its successful introduction in the previous year's
Impala. Available transmissions included a 3-speed manual, a
4-speed manual transmission and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic.
(Thx to Chevyhardcore.com)
Here in the corridors of the Classic Auto Mall we have all kinds of
cars with all kinds of purposes. Some classics to be shown, others
to be driven, and others to do both. Here we have a classic that
exemplifies early 1960's suburbia, but with a deep dark secret
lying within and with a binder of receipts you'll know every part.
A modern drivetrain, suspension, and brakes make this seemingly
mundane grocery getter a perfect fit for the pro-touring group. It
is to be driven and can be shown as is or take the body to the next
level. Read on!
Exterior
From its chromed bezel dual headlights with the inboard lights
removed and now used as fresh air ducts for the engine, flanking
egg crate grille, and lower wrap around bumper, to the aluminum
machined pattern spear at its belt line, and the dual sets of dual
taillights within more aluminum trim, and lower bumper this car
sports plenty of nice brite-work, and chrome to feast your eyes on.
Wrap around chrome window surrounds, Bel Air badging in your
grandmother's script, and a hint of what's to come in the form of a
LT1 badge on both front quarter panels shines brightly against its
original Twilight Blue paint. Several areas on this car show paint
bubbling, fading, and all around wear one would expect from the
original paint. Otherwise, we see fairly straight steel, with gaps
that are fair. 1969 Camaro hood louvers have been added and made
functional and the lightly tinted glass adds to the mystique. 17"
Boze Octane wheels are mounted on all 4 corners with staggered low
profile blackwall rubber in 245/45ZR17 and 285/40ZR17 format. We
note the well done trunk area with its stock style mat, battery
relocation, speaker box, and stereo amp residing within.
Interior
Bleeding early 1960's styling, the door swing yields a mix of aqua
vinyl upper and lowers with vertical chrome stripping and rectangle
buttons. The mid-section of said doors is horizontal ribbed dark
green vinyl with clean chrome actuators and a tear free armrest.
Slipping inside we greet horizontal ribbed broadcloth with dark
green, aqua and seafoam stripes for the bench inserts, and nice
clean bolsters in vinyl. The condition of these seats is like new
with only one mark on the driver's bottom cushion. During the build
the original frames were blasted then new foam and correct
upholstery was fitted. The rear bench stretches from door to door
and mimics the front in color, material and condition. Simple jet
age styling for the dash with a large angled dash top to shade the
gauges which reside in the dash front that is covered in aluminum.
A trio of additional gauges have been added just below the factory
cluster and an aftermarket tachometer is mounted to the satin
finished aluminum steering column. An aftermarket Budnick steering
wheel is fronting this dash. Aqua peppered with black carpeting
floods the floors and shows with minor soiling. The headliner is
more aqua cloth and tight and fairly clean.
Drivetrain
The original inline 6 cylinder has been replaced with a very modern
and powerful 383ci LT1 V8. Within this punched and stroked block
are JE pistons, Total Seal rings, and King bearings. Bolted onto
the block are a pair of AFR (Airflow Research), 195 LT1 heads, a
bored intake and BBK 58mm throttle body. On the fuel and fire end
we see MSD 30# fuel injectors, a MSD coil, and a MSD Probillet
distributor. This all works together with a custom ground Comp Cam,
Comp Ultra Pro roller rockers, and an Ed Wright PCM FAST chip tune
to make a tire shredding 317 dyno proven horsepower. Bolted to the
back of the mill is a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission and
putting the power to the pavement is a Ford 9" axle with Moser 33
spline axles and 3.73 gears with Positraction. A huge shout out to
the March serpentine belt drive system and Performance Rod & Custom
radiator with twin 14" cooling fans. Modern, reliable and
powerful!
Undercarriage
Wilwood power disc brakes are noted now on all 4 corners and the
power aspect comes from a Hydratech booster system. They sit within
a mostly rust free structure of black steel, although few areas of
surface rust are noted in photos. Rockers are solid as well as
floor pans and toe kicks. Global West provides the front suspension
in Mustang II form and for the rear we again see Global West
suspension in 4 link form with adjustable coilovers. Street
Performance ceramic coated custom length headers handle the exhale
and breathe a melodious tune through a Magnaflow exhaust system and
Borla cutouts are noted.
Drive-Ability
I rose from my laurels and designer tea to get the chance to drive
this wolf in sheep's clothing. Sliding behind the wheel, thank you
Flaming River for the tilt function, I was in early 60's heaven. I
could almost hear the pleas of "are we there yet?" from the back
seat. Luckily a twist of the key brought the LT1 to life and
drowned out my imagination and the technical blatherings of my
cohort and partner in crime. On the patented Classic Auto Mall test
track this car handled everything I could throw at it. Acceleration
was endless, handling was surprisingly firm for a smooth riding
car, and braking rivaled that of a new performance car. Vintage Air
A/C and heat kept the cabin comfortable no matter what Mother
Nature decided on during out drive.
Overall save for the paint issues which in my humble opinion give
the perfect unassuming look, this car presents very nicely, and
goes like a rocket ship. With its modern engine with fuel
injection, overdrive transmission, nice interior, well thought out
and updated undercarriage. The exterior is but a minor distraction
overall when looking at or driving this car. A fine example of a
grocery getter that is on steroids.
VIN DECODE
21569K148775
2-1962
15-BelAir 6 Cylinder
69-4 Door Sedan
K-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant
148775-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
