Body style offerings followed 1959, with hardtops and sedans available. Production exceeded 103,000, compared to 128,000 two-door hardtops. For 1970, the Chevrolet line was very little changed and regulated primarily to a new and very attractive front end. The 1953—1954 Chevrolet range had a unique and somewhat awkward look about it and much of this stemmed from its role as a transitional model to introduce a raft of changes that were necessary to pave the way for the introduction of the 1955—1957 range that really established the Bel Air as a cultural icon. Reflecting the smaller size of these downsized big cars was a lineup of generally smaller engines for improved fuel economy with Chevy's 250 cubic-inch six-cylinder reinstated as standard power in sedans for the first time since 1973, with the 140 hp 100 kW 305 V8 available as an option in sedans and standard on wagons. Models like this had been around since the 1920s, including early Chevrolets, with no degree of success. The Nomad station wagon name also reappeared in 1958 when the vehicle bowed as the premium four-door Chevrolet , lacking the unique styling of the 1955-57 Nomads.
The Bel Air utilized a stainless-steel belt and rocker molding, identifying signature on the rear fenders, a glove compartment light and power tailgate on 9-passenger wagons to distinguish itself from the lower-priced Biscayne series. The chassis and mechanicals were common with the rest of the passenger car range, and the overall appearance was the same as the rest of the range, except that the roof line was lower and the unique three piece rear window gave it a longer and more balanced look. Third gear was direct, meaning the input and output are equal speeds. The Bel Air gained a halo vehicle in 1958, the , available only as a hardtop coupe and convertible in its introductory year. The Signal-Seeking radio became an option. In an unusual move, the taillights were mounted in the bumper.
Initially only the two door hardtops in the Chevrolet model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950 to 1952, as distinct from the Styleline and Fleetline models for the remainder of the range. American Cars, 1946—1959 Every Model Every Year. This body even had a roofline similar to the original '66-67 Caprice coupe style for 1974—1975. The rear was tied together by a channel-section cross member. For 1954, the Bel Air stayed essentially the same, except for a revised grille and taillights, and a revised engine that had insert bearings and higher oil pressure, needed for the full-flow oil filtration system that was not available prior to 1954. It was powered by a 235-cubic inch developing 105 horsepower and had a 3.
In 1953, the Bel Air became its own model, first marketed as a premium car, and then as a. The car design yearbook 1. Chevrolet offered windshield washers on some years. Until the 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top, the serious sporting types went for Convertibles. For the budget conscious, the , formerly the 210 and the formerly the 150 completed this model year's family-oriented and utility offerings. The 350 V8 was now restricted to police-option vehicles. While body panels resembled contemporary U.
Door panels were a light gray fabric as was the headliner and lower sidewall panels. Bright metal headliner bows helped give the feel of a real ragtop, while rolling down the windows delivered an airy, jaunty experience. It features a few styling and design cues from the best remembered 1955—57 models, such as the chrome windshield frame, traffic light viewfinder, and a gas filler cap behind the tail light, similar to 1956—1957 Chevy's gas cap behind the chrome trim on the back of the tail fin, but more reminiscent of the 1948—1958 Cadillac gas cap tail light. Suspension is short long arm up front and in the rear. The interior had cloth bench seats and a metal dash, sometimes with a simulated burl wood grain.
A new dash was used. The Bel Air was styled as a with a non-detachable solid roof. Many of the same options and accessories that were available on the Impala were also available on the Bel Air. Chevrolet's new grille design bore a strong resemblance to Cadillac's, but Bel Air's dual round taillight design was strictly Chevrolet. Chevrolet has since unveiled two concept cars bearing the Nomad name, most recently in 1999. Most Chevrolet station wagon models had two tail lights one on each side of the body housed in abbreviated alcoves, which were made smaller to accommodate the rear gate.
New for the speed set was a V8 of 390 hp 290 kW or 425 hp 317 kW. Despite being a recession year, consumers made Chevrolet the No. The other change was the availability of , a two-speed , exclusively in the Deluxe and Bel Air models. All wagons this year were 4-door models and separate distinctions for wagons were dropped. Even more curious was the fact that some of these Bel Airs featured Impala-style triple taillights; the center lens was amber in keeping with Australian legal standards. From the headlights, placed as low as the law would permit, to the cat's-eye tail lights, the 1959 Chevrolet was a brand new car with all new sheet metal, a new frame, and even new series names. The Deluxe was the brand new upper-end model for Chevrolet.
The 400 V8 was optional on sedans and the 454 was available on both models. Before long, hardtops would overtake convertibles in the sales race. The roof was all steel and welded in place. The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946—1975. All-vinyl interiors were now standard on station wagons while cloth and vinyl trims continued on sedans.
Production figures of the 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air coupe was 76,662. Bel Air production was 447,100. Overall length increased to 210. The two-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission was introduced as an option for the Deluxe series only. Both the 1950 Chevy Deluxe and 1950 Chevy Specials had rear seat carpet.
Now all models were either Biscayne, Bel Air or Impala series. The Chevrolet Bel Air was first produced as a special edition of the Deluxe Styleline model for 1950. Bel Airs came with features found on cars in the lower models ranges plus interior carpet, chrome headliner bands on hardtops, chrome spears on front , window moldings, and full. All engines options of the previous year remained in effect with the standard engines being the 235. Prior to becoming a regular production model, the Nomad first appeared as a Corvette-based concept vehicle in 1954. Bel Air and Biscayne featured dual rectangular lamps with back-up lamps built in.