The 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air has a special place in the hearts of Chevrolet fans, as not only it’s part of the first generation of this iconic family, but it also pioneered a series of features that later defined the entire series.
For example, the ’53 lineup was the first to use the Bel Air moniker for the premium models alongside the new 150 and 210 ranges. In addition, this was the model year that introduced a curved one-piece windshield that was then used on the next generations too.
Chevrolet itself tried to highlight all these improvements with the “Entirely new through and through” tag line used in its ads, despite the 1953 release actually featuring few innovations from a mechanical perspective.
On the other hand, the ’53 Bel Air that we have here perfectly aligns with this catchphrase, as it comes with a new finish, an upgraded engine, and plenty of other custom changes under the hood.
The first thing you’ll notice on this gasser is the so-called Green Candy paint, which features a glitter effect particularly noticeable in direct sunlight. The new finish comes alongside green-tinted windows, except for the windshield which is still clear for obvious reasons.
The ’53 Bel Air was offered with a choice of two engines, namely a 215ci (3.5-liter) and a 235ci (3.9-liter), but the gasser here is now powered by a 350ci (5.7-liter) small-block Chevrolet unit paired with a Muncie 4-speed transmission. The list of upgrades also includes an Edelbrock carburetor, a straight axle front with disk brakes and long travel Fox 2.0 shocks, as well as a new exhaust system.
The car still features the stock fuel tank, but on the other hand, it rides on new front radial tires and Mickey Thompson drag radials on the back that are approximately one year old.