This 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air, described as an older restoration with a 27,000-plus-mile odometer reading. The car is said to have a rebuilt original powertrain, had a conversion to 12-volt electricals, and recently been returned to running condition after a previous owner, a member of a single family who owned the car since new, allowed this Bel Air to sit unused for a time. Among its stated upgrades are a powertrain rebuild, new brakes, extensive detailing, and a redone passenger cabin with Ciadella Interiors upholstery. this Bel Air is powered by its original 216.5-cu.in. OHV straight-six, which he says is correct for a three-speed manual-transmission car from 1953. With a compression ratio of 6.6:1 and Rochester or Stromberg carburetion, the engine was rated by the manufacturer at 92 horsepower when new. This engine is original to the car, and has been upgraded with a split exhaust manifold and conversion to 12 volts. The seller states that a new professional cloth-wrapped wiring harness was added during the 12-volt conversion. Both the engine and transmission are reported to have been rebuilt, with no functional issues or smoke. The engine bay presents as being stock and strongly clean, in the provided photos. I reports that this Bel Air underwent a body-on restoration in the late 1980s, including a repaint in its original colors. He notes that the paint remains “presentable,” with buffed trim and surface imperfections associated with storage in an open garage. The body seals are said to have been replaced during the restoration, the Bel Air appears to be free of rust and past rust repairs. The restoration is reported to have included new bumpers, taillamp assemblies, and exterior moldings. The glass, including a tinted windshield, is reported to be new as of the restoration, except for the rear window, with one small imperfection noted on the passenger’s side. All lighting is reportedly operable, with a new wiring harness. The underside, with dual exhaust pipes, appears to be generally clean in the photos. the passenger cabin was fully redone in the 1980s with Ciadella Interiors upholstery, and he describes the materials as being in “very good” condition, with no tears, and the Daytona weave carpet as being in “excellent” shape. The headliner also appears to be in excellent condition, per the photos. The painted steel dashboard presents strongly, the seller noting that replacement knobs for the heater controls are on order. The instrumentation is reportedly operable, although the speedometer is “occasionally noisy.” The seller notes that the original radio has not been upgraded to 12 volts and is thus inoperable. The heater is reported to work. The trunk reportedly has the correct trunk mat with reproduction side trim panels, a rubber mat, and presents as being strongly clean, per the photos. the chassis appears to have been refurbished when the Bel Air was restored, with no component damage reported. He says the brake master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and lines have all been replaced, noting no functional issues. The factory steel wheels reportedly show minor rust, and are mounted with five NOS wheel covers and older tires that have some “flat spots from disuse.”
