Vehicle Description
1951 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 2dr Bel Air Coupe - 4,289
Documented Miles - Purchased New in Crestwood, Kentucky - All Known
Ownership History Since New: 3 Individuals and 2 Dealerships - One
Repaint in 1990 to Factory Color - Blue Flame 235.5ci Inline 6
Cylinder - Powerglide Automatic Transmission - New Carburetor in
2022 - Museum Level Show Piece (Please note: If you happen to be
viewing this gorgeous 1951 Bel Air on a website other than our main
website, it's possible you haven't seen all of this vehicles
information. To see all the photos, as well as a short start-up and
walk-around video, please go to our main website: GKM dot com)
Featured here is an amazingly preserved and highly original car.
While well restored cars or even original barn find cars are not
all that unusual to find, it is truly rare find one so well
preserved and original as this 1951 Chevrolet Styleline Bel Air
Coupe. The fact the successive owners over the last 70 years had
the foresight to continue to preserve this car in highly original
condition is simply amazing. This car is truly a rare find. James
Gibson, a cattle buyer from Crestville, Kentucky purchased this car
in the summer of 1951. This sporty two door coupe was equipped with
a Blue Flame 235ci Inline 6 Cylinder and a Powerglide Automatic
Transmission. For whatever reason, over the next 13 years the
cattle baron rarely drove the vehicle, and in 1964 he traded the
coupe in to Smiler-Carter Chevrolet of Lagrange Kentucky with only
2,400 miles on it. The next 43 years the car was displayed in the
showroom at Smiler-Carter and the staff only drove the car in
parades. The dealer wisely kept the car well maintained through
their dealership service department, and in 1990 treated the Bel
Air to a thorough, professional and factory correct repaint. In
2009 the coupe was purchased by James McCall of Billings Montana in
February, with only 4022 original miles on it. The new owner
trailered the car from the dealer showroom floor to his
climate-controlled storage facility in Billings. There Mr. McCall
purchased new wheels, had them painted and striped like the
originals, and purchased new Coker Classic wide white wall tires
which are now on the car. The original tires and wheels along with
the factory original spare will be included with the purchase of
the car. The spare has never been removed from the trunk and still
wears the original sticker. Also note the original factory tag
attached to the bumper jack in the trunk photos of this car. The
current owner purchased the car in the early Spring of 2000 from
the estate of James McCall and the car was trailered to Saginaw
Michigan. When the current owner purchased the car 22 years ago, he
really planned to drive it, but did not want to diminish the
condition of the car that had been so lovingly maintained over this
Chevrolet's ownership, so consequently he did not drive it as much
as planned. It saw a few parades and was showed and displayed. It
now only shows 4,288 miles since it was originally sold in 1951. A
new carburetor was installed this year and the original also comes
with the vehicle. As you look through the photos you will see all
the original chrome and stainless is in outstanding original
condition and the 30-year-old paint has been well maintained and
still shines with a deep luster. The all-original interior shows
little if any wear and even still has the original factory floor
mats. The trunk also still maintains the factory rubber mats, which
are well preserved. You can see the undercarriage of the car is
original and well preserved. Simply put this is a museum level show
piece that could be the center piece of any collection. This car
still starts, runs and drives just like it did in 1951. Simply put,
you will be hard pressed to find a nicer example of a highly
original Post War Era car anywhere else. Please call if interested
or e-mail with specific questions. Thank you for looking.