When the Chevrolet Impala became a series in 1959, the Chevrolet Bel Air and Impala took separate turns, but they still shared nearly everything, including engine choices and style.
But the Impala, which came equipped with the finest GM brand could provide for any model year, ended up being the model driving Chevy’s push. For the majority of purchasers, the Bel Air served as a backup option, but it was still a good pick for anyone seeking a full-size vehicle that wasn’t as costly as an Impala.
A 1960 Bel Air that has recently been the subject of a complete restoration made its way to earlier this week, trying to find a new home where it can hide from horrible things like rain and snow.
The car still needs a few minor adjustments here and there, but it is almost a perfect 10. Everything was taken care of by the expert restoration work, including the mechanical component and appearance. Beautiful paint, but there are a few little road chips that will need to be attended to by the next owner. The photographs that show the automobile on a lift attest to the fact that there is no rot or rust on it. But you’ll want to get everything inspected in person, so if you can, check the undersides yourself. It’s important to address even the smallest rust spot as soon as it appears.
The interior is spotless, flawless, mesmerizing, you name it. Everything is in tip-top shape, so the Bel Air feels like a new car when you jump behind the wheel.
The engine under the hood could make some people walk away. It’s in spotless shape and is paired with a rebuilt Powerglide transmission, but unfortunately, it’s not the massive V8 muscle you expected. The Bel Air comes with a six-cylinder engine, and we all know that most people are interested in massive V8 power.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to deal with this, but if you’re interested in a true gem, you’ll probably ignore the engine and get the Bel Air anyway.
The good news is that the six-cylinder makes the Bel Air more affordable, as a V8 in tip-top shape would have made the car a lot more expensive, especially if it was a big-block unit.