Chevrolet Bel Air
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The Chevrolet Bel Air was an automobile series produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1953–75. From 1950–52, hardtops in Chevrolet's premium Deluxe model range were designated with the Bel Air name, but it was not a distinct series of its own. The Bel Air continued in production in Canada through the 1981 model year.
History
1953–1957
In 1953 Chevrolet renamed its series and the Bel Air name was applied to the premium model range. Two lower series, the 150 and 210, also emerged. In 1955, Chevrolets gained a V8 engine option.In 1955, Chevrolet's full-size model received new styling that earned it the "Hot One" designation by enthusiasts. Unlike Ford and Plymouth, Chevrolet's styling was considered crisp and clean. Bel Airs came with features found on cars in the lower models ranges plus interior carpet, chrome headliner bands on hardtops, chrome spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. Models were further distinguished by the Bel Air name script in gold lettering.
The '55, '56, and especially '57 Bel Airs are among the most recognizable American cars of all time; well-maintained examples (especially coupes and convertibles) are highly sought after by enthusiasts. Roomy, fuel-efficient, and with tastefully restrained use of tail fins and chrome, they are seen by many as vastly superior to the oversized and overdecorated full-size models that would roll out of Detroit for the next 20 years.
From 1955–57, production of the two-door Nomad station wagon was assigned to the Bel Air series, although its body and trim were unique to that model. Prior to becoming a regular production model, the Nomad first appeared as a Corvette-based concept vehicle in 1954. Chevrolet has since unveiled two concept cars bearing the Nomad name, most recently in 1999.
1958 Bel Air and Bel Air Impala
For 1958, Chevrolet models were redesigned to be broader, longer and heavier then their 1957 predecessors. Again, the Bel Air remained Chevrolet's top model range, followed by the newly renamed Biscayne (formerly the 210) and the Delray (formerly the 150.) Chevrolet's design for the year fared better than its other GM brethren, and lacked the overabundance of chrome found on Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Cadillacs. Complementing Chevrolet's front design was a broad grille and quad headlights; the tail received a fan-shaped alcove on both side panels, which housed dual tail lights.The Bel Air also gained a halo model in 1958, the Impala, available only as a hardtop coupe and convertible in its introductory year. Impala styling followed the basic lines of the other Chevrolet models but received special styling cues including a different roofline, a vent above the rear window, unique side trim, and triple tail lights housed in slightly broader alcoves.
Despite being a recession year, consumers made Chevrolet the No. 1 make of automobile (beating Ford, which held the title in 1957) and the Bel Air was at the core of Chevrolet's popularity. With its wide variety of body styles and models, Bel Airs could be optioned with almost every conceivable luxury within the Chevrolet line. The Nomad station wagon name also reappeared in 1958 when the vehicle bowed as the premium four-door Chevrolet station wagon, lacking the unique styling of the 1955-57 Nomads. Most Chevrolet station wagon models had two tail lights housed in abbreviated alcoves, which were made smaller to accommodate the rear gate. An exception was the Yeoman .
1959–1965: Mid-range model
In 1959, Chevrolet elevated the Impala to top-line status, making the Bel Air the mid-level model. The Biscayne replaced the discontinued Delray as the least expensive full-size Chevrolet model.From 1960, Bel Airs and Biscaynes could easily be identified by their use of two taillights per side; the Impalas had three taillights per side. Also, the Bel Air had more interior and exterior brightwork than the Biscayne. Many of the same options and accessories that were available on the Impala were also available on the Bel Air.
1966–1975: Low-line model
By the late 1960s (with the introduction of the Caprice), the Bel Air and its Biscayne stablemate were primarily marketed to automotive fleet customers. However, the Bel Air remained available to private customers who sought a basic, no-frills full-sized car that was slightly better trimmed than the low-line Biscayne.When the Biscayne was discontinued after 1972, the Bel Air was demoted to the low-level model. The last Bel Airs were manufactured for 1975.
Chevrolet's Canadian affiliate continued the Bel Air as its lowest-priced full-size car through the 1981 model year.
2002 Bel Air show car
In 2002, a concept Bel Air convertible was shown at the North American International Auto Show. It featured many styling and design cues from the legendary 1955–57 models, and had tail lights very similar to the Ford Thunderbird. So far, General Motors has shown no interest in producing such a car.
External links
References
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Chevrolet Vehicles | | ||
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| Historic (USDM): 1910s–1940s: Baby Grand | Classic Six | Little Four | Little Six | Series H | Styleline 1950s: 150 | 210 | Bel Air | Biscayne | Brookwood | Delray | El Camino 1960s: Blazer | Camaro | Caprice | Chevelle | Chevy II/Nova | C/K | Corvair | Parkwood 1970s: Chevette | LUV | Monza | Vega 1980s: Astro | Beretta | Cavalier | Celebrity | Citation | Corsica | Metro | Spectrum | Sprint | S-10 | Tracker 1990s: Lumina | Lumina APV | Prizm | Venture | ||
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