Chevrolet Bel Air, 1950-1975 yılları arası General Motors‘un Chevrolet bölümü tarafından üretilen bir otomobildir. Modelin üretimi 1976-1981 yılları arasında Kanada‘da devam etmiştir.
Chevrolet’s most iconic Fifties offering is deservedly finished here in equally iconic two-tone Turquoise and White and perfectly complemented with a White top and wide Whitewall tires. Like the rest of this astonishing car, the matching Turquoise and White interior is so impressively finished as to be judged better than original. The same preparation can be seen in the engine compartment, wherein resides a 265 CI Power Pack small block V-8.
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air: A Timeless Icon From the Nifty Fifties
Half way through the nifty fifties, the second generation Chevrolet Bel Air, appropriately dubbed the “hot one,” appeared with all new “motoramic” styling and an optional, new statement-making V8 power plant. Chevrolet enabled the everyday man the opportunity to own a virtually custom car without reaching too deep into their wallet, and Chevrolet savored the positive response.
Changing the Game
1955 was landmark year for Chevrolet—they were finally able to provide a bold response to Ford in the performance battle for the first time in 35 years. Chevrolet’s 265 cubic inch Turbo-Fire V8 was a model of efficiency and, paired with ambitious styling, the Bel Air helped Chevrolet keep 44% of the low-price market segment locked down.
Simple in construction and economical to build, the 265 cubic inch Turbo-Fire put out 162 horsepower with a two-barrel carb, or 180 horsepower with an optional Plus-Power Package that boasted a four-barrel carb and a dual exhaust. The V8 hosted a new 12-volt electrical system that granted greater generator capacity, more efficient battery charging, and allowed the option for power windows, door locks, and windshield wipers, among other things, that the previous six-volt electrical system couldn’t bear.
A Stable Foundation
To enable the Turbo-Fire to deliver its power smoothly, the Bel Air now consisted of an improved “Glide-Ride” system with coil springs, ball-jointed front control arms, wider rear springs, diagonally mounted shocks, tubeless tires, an open drive shaft, a widened frame and lower center of gravity. Customers had an option between the 2-speed automatic Powerglide transmission and a three-speed manual transmission with optional Touch-Down overdrive and Power-Master rear axel. Due to Chevy’s optimum power-to-weight ratio the Bel Air was quicker and faster than the competition at about half the price.
Externally, the newly revamped Bel Air featured a Ferrari-inspired egg crate grille, accentuated headlights, a “Sweep-Sight” windshield, new doors handles, and flush quarter panels. Within the cab laid a color-coordinated interior that Chevrolet flaunted in all its glamour. Drivers were given new swing style pedals, a power seat, a new instrument panel that featured flashing lights as indicators, new all-weather air conditioning by Frigidaire, and new ball bearing infused steering that reduced friction allowing smoother, steadier handling.
Winning the Hearts of the Nation
America fell in love with the Bel Air, and ads were claiming it to be the “blue-ribbon beauty that’s stealing the thunder from the high priced cars.” The Bel Air was offered in a convertible, a smooth hardtop sport coupe, four-door station wagon, and a four-door sedan, which was the sales leader with over 340,000 units built. The new Bel Air Beauville four-door station came out with triple the amount of sales compared to its prior 1954 wagon model.
Continuing to Greatness
The later model year Bel Airs received a face-lift with a controversial full-width grille to better cater to customers who didn’t favor the Ferrari-inspired ’55 grille. They also received fluid front and rear wheel openings, slightly lengthened bodies, and distinct two-tone color schemes. Bel Airs equipped with a V8 were given prominent chrome “V” on the hood and trunk. The Turbo-Fire V8 grew up to 283 cubic inches, dubbed the “Super Turbo-Fire V8” that produced an impressive 283 horsepower with help from continuous mechanical fuel injection that was shared with the Corvette.
The ’55 Bel Air transformed into one of the most recognizable American cars of all time, respectively being worthy as the poster child of the nifty fifties.
GENERAL:
In May of ’52, Chevy designers were given a blank slate and told to design something totally different. Three years later, the 1955 Chevrolet was the result and a true instant AMERICAN classic car was born.
Destined to become the anchor for what collectors would later call the ‘Tri-5s’ (1955-’57 Chevys), the all-new ’55 Chevy sported dramatic styling changes, improved handling and a new first-ever V8. The media called the ’55 Bel Air Sport Coupe ‘an excellent example of smart profile styling.’
At 10:00 a.m on Nov. 23, 1954, the 50 millionth car produced by GM rolled off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan. It was a ’55 Bel Air 2-Door hardtop Sport Coupe, like the one pictured above, but gold in color. A one day nationwide Open House by GM to celebrate the event drew one million people into showrooms. GM, in its heyday with 114 factories in the U.S., produced more than 1.7 million Chevys during 1955.
THIS CAR:
Acquired in NW Arkansas in July 2009, it had a complete frame-off restoration five years before in Nebraska. It is equipped with a 265ci V8 with a 4bbl carb PowerPak option which produces 180hp. It sports a 3-speed factory-installed manual transmission with column shift. Fender skirts, glass pack mufflers, YOM plates and seatbelts were added after acquisition.
1955 BEL AIR TRIVIA:
For 1955, Chevrolet’s full-size model received new styling that earned it the “Hot One” designation by enthusiasts.
The 1955 had a new 265ci (4,340 cc) V8 which featured a modern, overhead valve high compression, long stroke design that was so good that it remained in production in various forms, for many decades.
The Bel Air had interior carpets, headliner bands made of chrome, fenders with chrome spears and chrome window moldings.