Vehicle Description
1953 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air was a full-size car produced by Chevrolet for
the 1950-1975 model years. Initially, only the two-door hardtops in
the Chevrolet model range were designated with the Bel Air name
from 1950 to 1952. With the 1953 model year, the Bel Air name was
changed from a designation for a unique body shape to a premium
level of trim applied across a number of body styles. The Bel Air
continued with various other trim level designations, and it went
from a mid-level trim car to a budget fleet sedan when U.S.
production ceased in 1975.
For consignment, the first year of the Bel Air high end designation
set it apart from the 150 and 210 trims and a sedan to boot. This
example was restored over the course of many years, and includes
not only an upgraded drivetrain but also a 12-volt conversion and
still retains its luster and appeal to this day. 17" wheels, tinted
glass, some new chrome and a snappy 2 tone paint job all come
together for us to give you a big chrome rounded exterior fender
1953 Chevrolet Bel Air so named after the affluent suburb in Los
Angeles, California.
Exterior
The first thing you will notice about this beauty is the slow
disappearance of the exterior fenders protruding from the sides.
And with the 1950's progress they would be totally integrated. We
will bask in the late 40's early 50's styling using a large chromed
trim spear, that starts on the front quarter, then streaks rearward
where it meets up with the oval bump out of the rear quarter and
wheel well. This bump out is adorned with a wider trim spear,
filled with white, which goes to the tail, and the front of the
oval has wide stainless trim. This, coupled with a thin rocker
stainless trim and even trimming around the gas filler door adds
plenty of bling to the sides of the car. Wide stainless window
trimmings frame the passenger compartment which features the
beginnings of the wraparound tinted glass which will continue to
expand in later years to totally make the corner. Light blue,
bordering on the December Sky hue my lovely wife picked out for our
guest bathroom, covers the lower bulbous body panels and is
complimented nicely by the crisp white roof. Plenty of new chrome
for the front and back of this car with its crescendo of a big
shiny bumper in front framing a new chrome toothy grille, and yet
another trimming at the bottom of the bulbous hood. Newer blackwall
tires wrap polished 17" American Racing Torque Thrust Special
Edition wheels to finish off the exterior.
Interior
A swing of the vintage design doors reveals a full panel in
perforated blue broadcloth which is delineated by chrome trimmings
that look much like the X-1 in which Chuck Yeager took over the
sound barrier. A look at the interior seating and we see wonderful
new smooth tweed seating in gray highlighted by charcoal, light
blue and white striping. The seats front and back are pristine
benches with solid padding, and no tears. For the dash, the
designers of the day used oval panels with textured aluminum
backgrounds and round chrome bezel instruments. The original gauges
are present and accounted for in their correct homes within the
bezel. The dash top is full metal jacket in satin gray and has
chrome aplenty for accenting. The radio delete panel in body
matching light blow floats below the vertical ribbed speaker and
glove box door that have major chrome bling and it is all pristine.
A light blue band runs below the dash, and in the dash central is a
Chevrolet badge written in grandmother's handwriting. A 4 spoke
Grant steering wheel with a thick black rim is fronting the dash.
Wonderful blue carpeting is covering the floors of all the 1950's
menagerie.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a 350ci V8. It sports a 4-barrel Edelbrock
carburetor on top of a natural aluminum finish Edelbrock intake
manifold and a 3-speed automatic TH350 transmission on back. The
rear axle comes to this car in 10-bolt form which our consignor
states is from a Chevrolet S-10 Pickup.
Black valve covers with red Chevrolet script along with the tall
chrome lidded air cleaner add some bling to this engine bay. A
newer aluminum radiator is on to keep things cool and electric
power steering from a Chevrolet Equinox has been added to assist on
the slow tight turns.
Undercarriage
All solid with a black painted frame and black undercoated flooring
that present with only minor road dirt and surface rust.
Independent coil spring front suspension, and leaf springs for the
back provide the ride and power disc brakes in front and power
drums for the rear provide the stopping power. A dual exhaust
system fed by short length headers with Flowmaster mufflers is on
to handle spent fossils. That's Amore!
Drive-Ability
A wonderful experience in this like new retro space age influenced
interior, and all that exterior Detroit iron added up to a super
smooth ride, good acceleration, and bias free drum braking. All was
working order for this 53 Bel Air and the electric power steering
is a wonderful add on.
A nicely restored and upgraded Bel Air sedan that retains its
shine, is mechanically sound and is light years ahead of its
original format. With all the factory lines and charm retained,
this is a spectacle of design and all cool for this cat. How much
is that doggie in the CAM showroom window??
VIN DECODE
C53B110744
C-2400 Series Bel Air
53-1953
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
110744-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 53 1011WD-1953 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan
BODY M10482-Baltimore Body #
TRIM 246-Unknown
PAINT 510-India Ivory
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.
