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.