Although the badge was available for much longer, the Chevrolet Tri-Five series manufactured from 1955 to 1957 is most frequently associated with the Bel Air brand. Chevrolet first debuted the Bel Air in 1949 as a two-door hardtop version of the Styleline and Fleetline models.
A few decades after the Tri-Five was withdrawn, the nameplate was still produced, but the Impala and the Caprice eventually overtook it in terms of range. It evolved into an entry-level model by the late 1960s that was mainly offered to fleet clients.
While not quite as glamorous as the Impala, the third- and fourth-gen Bel Air remains a fantastic option if you’re in the market for a classic big Chevy that won’t break the bank. But finding an early fourth-gen car that’s been unrestored and unmolested is quite challenging because these Bel Airs were often abandoned after a few years of use. The 1959 two-door sedan you see here is one of the unlucky ones.
Parked in a yard sometime in the 1970s, this Bel Air spent more time sitting than driving on public roads. There’s no info as to why it was abandoned, but the footage appears to be from Turkey. That’s quite far from the US, and I’m guessing the owner found it way too difficult to source parts once the car broke down.
Not surprisingly, the Bel Air is in terrible condition. The lower body panels are rusty, some chrome trim is missing, and nearly all the windows are broken. The interior looks just as bad after so many years of exposure to the elements.
The fact that the majority of the car is still intact is astonishing, though. Additionally, this Bel Air might still have its original paint job, based on what I can see when the trunk lid is open. Since the hood isn’t opened while the camera is on, the engine is most likely locked up after more than 40 years without a drop of fuel. However, the engine’s real state is unclear.
This Bel Air could run on any of the three powerplants that Chevrolet provided for the 1959 model year because the mill itself remains a mystery. The Bel Air’s standard engine was a 235 cubic inch (3.9 liter) inline-six with 135 horsepower, just like all Chevys at the time.
Customers looking for V8 oomph had access to a series of optional 283-cubic-inch (4.6-liter) units. The Turbo-Fire had 185 horsepower, while the Super Turbo-Fire generated 230 horses. The same mill was available with Ramjet fuel injection and 250 or 290 horsepower that year.
A 348-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) Turbo-Thrust engine with 210–315 horsepower was also available from Chevy, depending on the setup of the carburetor and transmission. Conversely, it’s possible that the engine in this Bel Air is no longer original.
So, is a comprehensive restoration planned for this two-door sedan? A crane is removing the car from the yard and loading it onto a trailer that a Mitsubishi pickup truck is towing. It’s unclear if it’s being taken to a junkyard or repair facility, but I sincerely hope this Bel Air is given another chance at life.