1954 Chevy Bel Air hardtop

I thought it was high time to pay respects to a well restored vehicle so common on American highways in the 50's. This Bel Air had a touch of glamor with its two tone paint job, hardtop styling with bows in the headliner, and the ever popular two speed Powerglide automatic transmission. I can still hear Dinah Shore sing "See the USA in your Chevrolet"! Unusual in this car is the automatic headlight dimming device..usually reserved for the upper line GM cars.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• raconter1
• antique
• car
• show
• Chevy
• Bel
• Air
• hardtop
• 1954

[SUPERDAVIDLEVINE]

I was 13 when my father boughta 57 chevy statoin wagone, it was nice a a way in the 40,000 soon 51 years ago the power glide automatic gives out was it to smaall for the asume the 283 eight?? for GM was knowen for undersizzed transmisions then not long after ahead gasket fails adn gthe recaomned a vavle gringing I wish I could have seeb ut taken apart Oh I was in Hawia 19 years ago Iwished this car terned in to a lot I would tell the driver the same color

[raconter1]

@SUPERDAVIDLEVINE Hey, SuperDavid! Those powerglides were pretty beefy, the main criticism was they were slow...only being two speeds. The 283 shouldn't have been too much torque for it..but the failure of the head gaskets definitely is a problem. Many a car was scrapped when that happened...today the engine would probably just be replaced with a crate engine. I'd love to go to Hawaii! Thanks! :) Jack

[marcortiz83]

Did he say it was a 1964? Lol

[raconter1]

@marcortiz83 I sure did...when you get to my age, you start to mix the decades up! At least the written stuff is correct! Thanks! :) Jack

[drewerz01]

Hey, Jack! This is a beautiful car, I love the red/white colour combination, I think the '54 could be one of the most under-rated of all Bel-Air's since they're never usually mentioned all that often in any of the usual literature, certainly don't seem to be as popular as the later Bel-Air's!

[raconter1]

@drewerz01 Hey, Mike! I agree about the color combination..very cool. I think the 54 was in the unfortunate position of being just prior to the 55, the year of tremendous styling change and the introduction of the Chevy V8..not an enviable position! They tended to be lumped with all that preceded the 55, kind of old school..while the 55 was a landmark for the new school of longer, lower, more powerful. Thanks! :) Jack

[raconter1]

@55lincoln Hey, Warren! Glad I could supply the memories! Thanks! :) Jack

[55lincoln]

Jack, my Dad had a 4-door 54 BelAir.  Love this car, thanks for the memories.

[Seattlecarnut]

@raconter1 Neither do I. I've had my share of accidents while driving, and if it weren't for seat belts, I wouldn't be sitting here typing this.

[raconter1]

@Seattlecarnut Hey, Jason...I don't go anywhere without wearing seatbelts....very important safety device!

Thanks! :) Jack