1952 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Description

If you like to walk off the beaten path a bit, perhaps this 1952 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible will appeal to you. It's still got a Stovebolt under the hood, but a few upgrades make it reliable and fun to drive, and the look is straight out of the '50s, when this was a daily driver for a lucky person who didn't know how good he had it.

Fans of the more rounded '40s cars tend to gravitate to these post-war Chevys for their generous curves, and they always look best topless. The restoration on this car is a few years old, but since it was completed it doesn't seem to have been driven much, so it still looks fantastic and shows very little shelf wear. The light blue paint is code 477 Twilight Blue, which is this car's original color and it definitely looks right on the vintage ragtop, showing off the long, pointed hood and bulging rear fenders to great effect. Lots of bright trim emphasizes the period look and it appears that most of it has been polished or restored so it still looks great, if not quite perfect. Just by looking at it, you'd have a hard time believing that this was the least expensive GM convertible you could buy in 1952

The two-tone interior resembles the factory patterns and presents a wonderful contrast of light and dark blue accents. It's not quite exact and shows some wear on the driver's side, but it doesn't make a difference when you're behind the wheel and on the road. Gray carpets with matching mats protect the floor and the two-tone dash seems to sweep into the door panels to give it a dramatic look. The big ivory-colored steering wheel helps make it easy to wheel around, and it has been retrofitted with aftermarket turn signals for safety. There's also an accessory clock in the center of the dash and an AM radio underneath. The dark blue convertible top fits well, but you'll probably never use it except in emergencies so most of the time it'll stay under the fitted blue boot. The trunk was also freshened to look like new, including a rubber mat, cardboard bulkhead, and a matching spare tire with full jack assembly.

The engine is a 235 cubic inch inline-six, which is the largest and most fully developed of the Chevy sixes and it was standard equipment with the PowerGlide automatic transmission. It's also smooth and torquey, so it bops around town in a way that's distinctly different from the usual V8. It has been recently and extensively serviced, with a full tune up with new plug wires, a carb clean-up, and fresh plug, so it starts and runs beautifully. Wearing corporate blue engine enamel, it looks right and even things like the hose clamps, air cleaner assembly, and wiring are correct. You will, however, spot a modern alternator in place of the original generator, a nice upgrade that ensures that it'll always be ready to go. The PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission shifts firmly right about the moment you think it won't, and from there the strong-running six will pull this car around effortlessly at highway speeds. The suspension rides and handles quite well, with a polished feeling you wouldn't expect from a Chevrolet. It's quite clean underneath and it sits on a set of appropriate-looking wide whites that really dress it up.

A fun vintage ragtop that doesn't follow the usual formula. So if you like them traditional, this Chevy is a fantastic choice. Call today!