While the Bel Air only became a hit in the second half of the ’50s (at least until Chevrolet came up with the Impala in 1958), it’s hard not to like the earlier models, especially if you’re a diehard fan of the GM brand.
The 1954 model year is often considered the most refined, and this makes sense. It was the last year of a design introduced after the war, so it sported the most refinements and improvements you could get in this generation.
Chevrolet sold three versions – the 150, the 210, and the Bel Air – and the third was the most desirable because it had everything in the lineup. However, the Bel Air could only be had with a six-cylinder engine, so if you come across a V8-powered model, the owner is a hero.
Installing an eight-cylinder engine in a 1954 Bel Air was not only difficult but also expensive, as it required major changes to accommodate a V8.
The 1954 Bel Air in these photos retains its original six-cylinder engine, and this is unsurprising. The car spent the last 55 years in a garage, so it’s an unrestored and unaltered survivor of the 1954 model year.
It’s hard to find something to hate on this old Chevy, albeit I’m sure haters would still point to the obvious metal problems. However, I still can’t help but admire how solid this Bel Air continues to be after all these years. Photos of the undersides reveal some rust issues, but I don’t think the damage is a reason to walk away. You should put the car on a lift and determine if you’ll need new floors.
The car sells with many original parts, including the original rims and even the original spare wheel in the trunk. The interior exhibits some rot holes but is otherwise in impressive shape, considering this Bel Air has never been restored. It’s also miraculously clean, and this is a sign that the long tenure in storage kept the car away from anything that could alter its condition.
The six-cylinder engine under the hood doesn’t start but is not locked up. This is fantastic and somewhat surprising news, given how long it’s been sitting, so maybe the owner started the car regularly to maintain its shape.
The selling price makes sense for this Bel Air, and I don’t believe it will remain available for long. eBay seller redline_rascals will let this car go for $6,000, and the auction site indicates that 25 people are already watching the listing. The car is parked in Ridge, New York, and the buyer will need to take it home on a trailer, considering its current shape.