Sales of Chevrolet’s full-size range were already booming in 1962 thanks to the 1958 debut of the Impala and the updated Bel Air, which helped the brand become the dominant player in the American auto industry.
This year, the business exported more than 700,000 Impalas, with the Bel Air selling around half as many. Another indication that Chevrolet had fully committed to the Impala and reduced the Bel Air to “just another model” in its portfolio.
The strategy worked, as Impala eventually surpassed 1 million sold units in 1965, becoming the first car in the US to reach this milestone after WWII.
With 365,000 units sold in 1962, Bel Air continued to share many parts with the Impala and the rest of the full-size models in Chevrolet’s lineup. Despite the obvious styling improvements, the biggest change this year took place in the engine department.
The well-known 348 engine, which was available on all full-size Chevrolet vehicles, including the Impala, starting in the late 1950s, was discontinued by the GM brand. For many years, the 348 was Chevy’s premier model, therefore its discontinuation and the arrival of the new 409 signaled the company’s fresh beginning. From a performance standpoint, offering engines with greater displacements made logical because the Super Sport, which quickly became the coolest kid on the block, required more potent mills. In response, Chevrolet sold slightly more than 15,000 full-size vehicles equipped with the 409 engine in 1962.
The 1962 Bel Air posted by Vehicle Selling Solutions is a 2-door hardtop that looks like it survived the apocalypse, coming in a rough shape after spending nearly 40 years in the same place.
The photos suggest this Bel Air was parked in some sort of barn, and despite the seller claiming the vehicle “has been in dry storage since the ’80s,” they admit it needs everything. The floors, quarters, and fenders have all been wrecked and must be replaced.
The Bel Air appears to have lost some components as well, but the hood, bumpers, interior, and all of the trim are all available individually. Even if it’s practically finished, not everything will be suitable for the restoration.
A pleasant surprise is the engine underneath the hood. For the 1962 model year, the Bel Air was built with a 283ci base V8 that is still functional. All we know for sure at this point is that it comes with a manual transmission.