Chevrolet Bel Air was already a successful model in the second half of the ’50s, but the GM brand had a hard time competing against Ford and its money-making machines.
The company rebooted its efforts in 1958 with a full-size lineup that became integral in its struggle to regain the leading spot in the United States. Models like Bel Air, Impala, and Biscayne propelled Chevy to the number one spot, eventually helping it overtake Ford in the home market.
The Bel Air received several notable changes in 1958, but the most important was undoubtedly the addition of a new top-of-the-line version called Impala. Presented in 1956 at GM’s motor show as a concept, Impala graduated in 1958 and became the new superstar that pushed Chevy’s sales to new records.
The Bel Air sort of became a second-class citizen for Chevrolet, though it didn’t lose its consumer appeal. It shared the design, most parts, and the engines with the Impala.
A 1958 Bel Air that has likely been sitting for a very long time made its way to Craigslist earlier this week, hoping to find someone willing to give it a second chance. You can tell that this Bel Air has been struggling with a lot lately, especially based on the metal problems highlighted by the owner.
They claim the car “needs a lot of metal work,” so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the floors and the trunk pan already wrecked. I’m certain regular patches wouldn’t be enough, given the owner’s statements, so you should already be prepared to look for new floors altogether.
Aside from the obvious metal problems, the Bel Air also requires work under the hood. The car now has a 350 (5.7-liter) under the hood, though it’s surrounded by uncertainty, too. The Bel Air wasn’t available with a 350, as this unit later made its way to the full-size lineup. The top engine on the 1958 model year was the 348, so maybe the owner mistyped the engine displacement? Either way, the engine no longer works, so bring a good mechanic when inspecting the vehicle in person.
The 1958 Bel Air is ready for a second life, hoping the low price would attract someone unafraid of a hardcore project. Because that’s exactly what this car is in the first place, considering the amount of work required in every department. The car is parked in a garage close to Cincinnati.