Chevrolet Bel Air

The Chevrolet Bel Air was an automobile of the upper middle class, to 1975 by Chevrolet in the U.S. first so that the top model was built in model years 1953 as a luxury version of the model and Two-Ten. With the introduction of the Impala as a separate model in 1959, he presented the middle trim level dar. From 1973, after the abolition of the Biscayne, he was Chevrolets advantageous tender in its class.

Model history

Bel Air Series 2400C ( 1953-1957 )

Chevrolet Bel Air 4 - Door Sedan ( 1956)

Already in model year 1952 was the hardtop of the Two-Ten series nicknamed Bel Air 1953 Bel Air with the serial number 2400C was for their own series. At the time of his appearance made ​​the Bel Air, the top model of Chevrolet Represents the vehicle was equipped with air conditioning, power steering, power brakes and automatic transmission, and from 1955 a V8 engine. The vehicle has been conventionally equipped with a front engine and rear wheel drive. Front he had an independent suspension with coil springs and rear a live axle with leaf springs.

There were also a coupe and a station wagon offered in addition to the two four-door sedans and. Similarly, there was hardtop versions with two or four doors. There was a three - and five-door estate version, the three-door Nomad Townsman and the five-door model was called. Furthermore, there was also a convertible. Total production amounted to 535 784 units.

He met the taste of the Americans exactly had a lot of space, was low in consumption and pointed tail fins. In particular, the 1957 model is very popular today as a classic car.

Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible ( 1955)

Chevrolet Bel Air 4 - Door Sedan with optional rear mudguard ( 1957)

Bel Air Series 1700 and 1800 (1958 )

Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop Coupe Series 1800 (1958)

How Biscayne, who succeeded the Two-Ten, was in 1958 the Bel Air, a completely new face. The six-cylinder models were called this series in 1700 and had known from the previous engine with 3859 cm3, the (107 kW) gave 145 hp at 4,200 min -1. In the 1800 series, six different V8 engines were available; Base was a motor with 4,638 cm3 of a power output of 185 hp ( 136 kW) at 4,600 min-1 gave. On request and at an additional cost following engines were available in this series:

As in the previous two sedans were available with two or four doors, a two-door hardtop coupe and a four-door hardtop sedan. A special two-door hardtop coupe and two-door convertible that carried the nickname of Impala, the only five-door station wagon was called again Nomad. Instead of the single light of the previous model were among the barges now dual headlights.

Bel Air Series 1500 and 1600 ( 1959-1964 )

Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan ( 1959)

Completely revised presented themselves Chevrolet models of model year 1959. Significantly shallower bodies, with a longer wheelbase had a grille over the entire width of the vehicle with integrated dual headlights and rear characteristic, designed as a wing tail fins, in which lens-shaped tail lamps were arranged. The simply furnished Del Ray was gone and the Impala became the new top model. The Biscayne became the entry-level model and the Bel Air Series 1500 ( six-cylinder ) and 1600 ( V8) occupied the middle place. In addition to a two - or four-door sedan, there was now a four-door hardtop sedan and five-door station wagon two. The simple equipped with six seats was called Parkwood, the more luxurious with nine seats, Kingwood.

The engine range of the previous year was essentially taken.

In 1960 there was little stylistic and technical changes. The series was again a two-door hardtop coupe.

1961 was followed by a facelift, the only hints left by the rear wings left. The engine range was (265 kW) expanded power by a V8 with 6,702 cm3 displacement and 360 hp. The other aggregates rose to power. The nine -seater station wagon was now called also Parkwood, Kingswood had been discontinued.

1962, the Chevy II was introduced in the lower middle class, so that the three models Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala were the top half of the Chevrolet range. The bodies were tightened and the lens-shaped taillights gave way to round three copies of each page. The 6.7 liter V8 reached a new peak with 409 hp (301 kW). The four-door hardtop sedan was no longer offered and the two station wagons were called again Bel Air Station Wagon.

In 1963 there were almost no stylistic changes, but the engine output of the 6.7 liter V8 puts 425 hp ( 313 kW) and in addition to a V8 with 6,997 cm3 displacement and 430 hp was (316 kW) available. Also the last hardtop model disappeared.

1964 only the front fascia has been slightly revised and showed a slightly lower grille.

Chevrolet Bel Air Station Wagon ( 1964)

Bel Air Series 155 and 156 ( 1965-1970 )

Chevrolet Bel Air 2 - door Sedan (1965 )

The Bel Air has been completely redesigned presented in model year 1965. The wagons were flatter, wider and longer. The nose with low grille, which also extended below the bumper, formed a shallow V, the syringe pointed forward and upward. About the rear wheel arches showed a slight hip bend. In addition to the well-known six-cylinder in-line engine, there was a new unit with 4,097 cm3 displacement, the power of 155 hp developed (114 kW) at 4,200 min -1. The six-cylinder models were called Series now 155, while the V8 models were called Series 156. For them, there was a new V8 with 6,489 cm3, the ( 239-313 kW) made ​​325-425 hp. In the following year there were only minor alterations, such as additional chrome trim on the headlamps.

1967 hiked the front turn signals to the vehicle corners, forming the V -shaped nose, a significant contouring of the vehicle front. The Hüftknicke over the rear wheel arches became clearer. The six-seater station wagon was not offered this year, until the following again. In 1968, the front turn signals were smaller again and made a clear upswept front bumper area. The dual headlights were square chromed frame. Technically changed in these two years little.

Once again presented itself completely revised series for model year 1969. Given the same wheelbase the cars were grown in length and width again. The more strongly contoured front sides showed a massive chrome frame and the rear wheel arches had been so far reduced that the upper halves of the wheels were almost covered. The lower half of the tail statements were taken from the chrome rear bumper, which also absorbed the three narrow taillights per side. The station wagon - only with V8 engines available - were now called Townsman.

In 1970, there was little change. The two-door sedan was stopped and the motor program streamlined: In addition to the well-known 4.1 -liter six-cylinder engine was a new V8 with 5,735 cm3 displacement and 250 hp ( 184 kW).

Bel Air Series 155, 156, 1K and 1L ( 1971-1975 )

Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan ( 1972)

1971 came out a completely new Bel Air. The combination model names were still Townsman. The wheelbase was " grown in the station wagon as much as 6" for the sedan to 2 ½. The massive, heavily contoured front showed a low front grille and turn signals back to the corners of the vehicle. All the big Chevrolets got disc brakes on all four wheels. The engine power decreased by 5 per hp.

A slight revision of the vehicle front left 1972 shrink the grille in height. The wheelbase of the sedan put again to ½ ". Starting this year, the engine performance in net hp ( nhp ) were specified. The most powerful V8 engine had 7,440 cm3 and made 270 hp ( 199 kW). The new model designation this year was the same for six-and eight-cylinder series 1L

1973, the Biscayne was no longer offered and the Bel Air took over the role of the best Chevrolets in the upper middle class. Thus, he also became the name of the series 1K Biscayne. The combination models were called again Bel Air Station Wagon. The car got a slight revision of the front and rear view and were a little longer. The performance of all engines was reduced under the impact of the oil crisis of 10 to 20 hp. The following year, the six-cylinder engine was no longer offered.

1975, the last year of Bel Air, catalysts were introduced. Otherwise, there were few changes.

1976, it no longer gave the Bel Air and the Impala series 1B replaced him as the entry model in the upper middle class.

Prototype (2002)

In 2002, a prototype of a new Bel Air was introduced, but it has not translated into a series.