Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan (1953)

Most probably it’s one of the most noticeable names in the automobile history, the Chevrolet Bel Air. Chevrolet build the Bel Air from 1950 up to 1975 mostly for the American market. In Canada it remained in production up to 1981. The first-generation Bel Airs were produced from 1950 until 1954. The design was revolutionary at the time, with the appeal of a convertible while it actually was a ‘hardtop’ sedan.

From 1950 through ’52 the Bel Air was sold as the premium model. In 1953 Chevrolet decided to remain with the Bel Air name for the premium line while adding two models under the premium segment, named 150 and 210. In the same year Chevrolet sold 331497 4-door sedans.

KONA Classic Cars has for sale a first generation 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door sedan. What makes this car so special is that the VIN plate shows the car is European build at the General Motors Continental SA factory on the Noorderlaan in Antwerp. It is currently unknown how many European build Bel Airs were delivered but it’s safe to say not many are still alive. The original front window is still in place, indicating though it’s marking that it was indeed assembled in Belgium. Furthermore the car is equipped with kilometre speedometer instead of miles.

The car doesn’t show signs of previous restoration but did receive a repaint at some stage through its life on both front fenders and engine cover. The paint shows some signs of use after 65 years which is inevitable for an unrestored car. The chassis nor body show any sign of rust. The car was imported into Holland on 04-07-1980 and there are some stamps of previous dealerships in Holland indicating it changed owner for at least two times. The previous and last owner cherished it for the past 22 years after achieving the age of 86 and struggling to steer without power steering.

Mechanically the car is equipped with its original matching numbers ‘blue flame’ 235.5 cubic inch (3859cc) 6 in line engine, which in combination with the power glide automatic 2-speed gearbox delivered 115hp. Around the millennium the gearbox was fully revised and in ’17 the radiator was replaced al by the previous owner. KCC has restored the original Rochester B carburettor which has been reverted to manual choke in previous years. The car still operates under 6 volts.

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