Vehicle Description
1969 Chevrolet Bel Air
Bel Air, once the top of the line model in the days before Impala,
was second from the bottom by 1969, with only one model, Biscayne,
below it. The Bel Air was the intermediate model between Biscayne
and Impala - with more of the standard features of impala but still
on a Biscayne budget. Like the Biscayne, Bel Air was void of most
trim, unlike any other 1969 full size Chevrolet, came with no trim
whatsoever on the rocker panels. It did however have narrow chrome
trim that ran the full length of the car from front to rear bumper,
like Impala and Caprice. However, this trim was specific only to
Bel Air because it was solid; there was no colored insert at all.
Other than that, Bel Air was decked out the same as Biscayne: no
chrome trim around the wheel well openings, no chrome trim
whatsoever in any of the 4 taillights, and no "Chevrolet" spelled
out in individual letters across the front edge of the hood. Only 4
taillights sat within the Bel Air rear bumper, as having 6 was a
distinction only reserved for Impala and later Caprice. The
taillights are a tell-tale way to quickly identify any full-size
Chevrolet in the 1960's. Some Bel Airs were ordered with one of the
three 427 V-8's available making them stripped down "sleepers" -
cars that looked plain and sedate but were really some of the most
powerful Chevy muscle on the streets in disguise, without the added
weight of Impala or Caprice options to slow them down.
This exceptionally clean Bel Air is a classy stunner that mixes 454
cubes of V8 power along with completely unassuming looks. The
consigner loved to show the car, and every now and then give it the
old clean out by smashing the boot to the floor. So, not unlike the
consigner, if you're looking for a cool classic that's road ready,
show-ready and just plain battle-ready, it's the perfect way to go
to your local cruise in and turn some heads.
Exterior
Staying true to its roots, the Bel Air is devoid of any fancy trim.
Hmmm, do I smell a sleeper here? A simple sedan roofline is
hovering above two doors with nice gaps around the straight steel
sides of this large and in charge Chevy. A respray of deep end of
the pool Dusk Blue covers all this metal with the most notable
fault being a ding in front of the passenger's rear wheel. In
keeping with tradition, the duo of taillights has migrated into the
rear bumper, which is shiny and mirror-like. Long hood and trunk
panels make this an excellent boulevard cruiser with plenty of room
to spare. Good badging, including 427 call outs on the front
fenders and a Yenko Chevrolet badge on the trunk and beautiful
grille keep the bling to a minimum while letting the body lines
speak for themselves. Up front, an egg crate grille and quad
headlights are surrounded by a corral style front bumper with all
chrome being near flawless. Body colored steel wheels with dog dish
caps are wrapped with 15" Firestone red stripe tires and continue
the "speak softly and carry a big stick theme". There are not many
other Bel Air examples that will be able to catch this one on the
visual and attention to detail scale.
Interior
Very original and showroom sums it up! Light blue vinyl with
horizontal wide embossing is accentuated by shiny cranks, handles
and simple delineation strip on these doors are straight as arrows.
Slipping inside I can nearly smell the showroom with the gorgeous
split back front bench and full rear bench, wrapped in a mix of
perfect light blue vinyl for the bolsters with darker blue cloth
inserts. Headrests and an aftermarket console dress the front bench
up a bit. Nearly perfect can describe the dash with crack free and
padded blue vinyl dash top, wonderful instrument panel, and a
textured black panel below housing the climate controls, and radio.
The original steering wheel fronts this and remains crack free.
Clean fluffy blue carpet and clean slightly wrinkled blue headliner
finished off the beauty of an interior.
Drivetrain
Based on the previous areas described, you would expect nothing
less than just perfection in the engine bay, and it's really is
there...Orange/Red GM painted block and intake, chrome valve covers
and air cleaner assembly all surrounded by supple hoses, and
corrosive and rust free bolt ons throughout. As for the specs it's
a circa 1978-1990 454ci V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a TH350
3-speed automatic. On the back for the axle is a 12-bolt 3.08
geared rear. Attention to detail under the hood is exacting with
chalk marks on the firewall denoting the paint code and even chalk
markings on the intake manifold.
Undercarriage
The hits just keep on coming and showing some surface rust on the
usual suspects. Everything else is all buttoned up with not even a
hint of rust, solid frame, floor pans and rockers. Dual exhaust is
on with Flowmaster mufflers and power drum brakes area all around.
Independent coil spring suspension is on front and for the back a 4
link with coil springs helps provide the smooth ride.
Drive-Ability
When one thinks of a Bel Air from this era you think of a
pedestrian sedan mainly used by grandma's and taxi fleets, however
this car is a refreshing retreat from that genre and is a beautiful
bruiser and cruiser. It did just that with good acceleration,
smooth braking, and just a pleasure to drive with everything save
for the radio functional. A real head turner too, and I was even
challenged to an impromptu test track drag race but politely
declined, (my crack decoder and partner in crime tends to be a sore
loser).
Excellent, Pristine, Showroom, all capitalized for effect and to
show that this car is really a wonderful example from 1969, and
shows suburbia lifestyle with family, that you could still use to
whoop up on some unsuspecting competitors thanks to the full-on
sleeper vibe. You will not go wrong with this constant show winning
investment, and it is an investment at this condition meant to be
enjoyed!
VIN DECODE
156119J204271
1-Chevrolet
56-BelAir V8
11-2 Door Sedan
9-1969
J-Janesville, WI Assy Plant
204271-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 69 15611-1969 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan
BDY JAN259011-Janesville Body #
TR 818-Blue Cloth & Vinyl
PNT 51-Dusk Blue
01D-4th Week January
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.
