A Classic Tale: The 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air
Let’s rewind to 1959 and behold the marvel that is the Chevrolet Bel Air. The model in spotlight today is a four-door sedan that found its way into the hands of its current owner back in 2008. Imagine this: a factory-built dream machine, pattering along with a 283ci Super Turbo-Fire V8 engine paired with a manual transmission that teases you with its Touch-Down overdrive. Oh, and it’s dazzled in Highland Green and Snowcrest White for that classic, two-tone look.
Features That Make It Roar
Underneath its vintage hood, you’ll find a PosiTraction differential with 3.36:1 gears, a four-barrel carburetor, and a dual exhaust system. It’s equipped with body-color 14″ wheels atop unassisted drum brakes. Inside, it’s swathed in green vinyl with bench seating that screams retro comfort. There’s even a heater and a defroster for those chilly mornings, plus a Faria tachometer that adds a touch of sportiness.
Ownership Details
This automobile icon is offered with service records, the original owner’s manual, and a title from Washington state, registered under both the seller and their spouse.
Exterior Charm and Character
The Bel Air boasts its Highland Green and Snowcrest White colors like a peacock showing off its feathers. It’s worth noting, though, there’s a hint of past paintwork on the driver’s door—just a little testament to its action-packed life. The exterior showcases quad headlights dressed in fender ornaments and chrome bumpers. But wait, the windshield has a chip, the washer has called it quits, and the body has a few glorious battle scars, all visible in the gallery below for the curious cats.
Wheels and Brakes: Old School Cool
Rolling on body-hued 14″ steel wheels, this classic beast is paired with vintage Firestone Deluxe Champion tires. Unassisted drum brakes handle the halts, while the refreshed shocks and brake wheel cylinders ensure it’s road-ready for sale. It’s the sort of old-school charm you just don’t get these days.
Interior Look and Feel
Step inside and get transported back in time with bench seats clad in a Light and Medium Green vinyl ensemble. The pattern inserts tell stories of many road trips. Even the doors have matching trims, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail for the era. Alas, the radio isn’t operational, but fear not—it’s a mere button’s backlight has your back.
Instrumentation and Monitoring
The steering wheel is more than happy to frame the factory instrumentation. And remember that Faria tachometer? It’s backlit, but occasionally needs a gentle nudge to get started—much like me before morning coffee. The odometer, proudly showing 58k miles, proves this piece of history has still got some years left, adding about 3,000 miles in recent times.
Engine and Power Details
Ah, the heart of the beast. The 283ci V8 engine is no pushover, boasting a four-barrel carburetor—a real gem of engineering, with 230 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque when it first hit the roads. There’s been a recent oil change, and the fuel pump and battery have been replaced to ensure this vintage machine keeps running smoothly.
Transmission and Rear Details
The power symphony of this Bel Air belts out to the rear wheels through a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, complete with a factory overdrive unit. It also has a robust PosiTraction differential with 3.36:1 gears. A truly classic setup, carrying the weight of many stories from the past decades.
Production and Title Insights
- Style: 59-1619 – A four-door 1959 Bel Air sedan
- Body: KC10847 – Born in the Kansas City assembly plant
- Trim: 822 – Wrapped in Green cloth and vinyl
- Paint: 953F – That iconic Highland Green and Snowcrest White duo
The Washington state title comes with a Classic brand, a mark of its timeless appeal.