Photo: eBay seller i*find*u*flip
1958 was a pretty big year for the Chevrolet Bel Air, as it marked the beginning of the third generation and the debut of the Impala, offered as the top-of-the-line version of the hardtop coupe and convertible.
The 1958 Bel Air also introduced a bunch of changes under the hood. The engine lineup now included three different units, starting with a 235ci (3.9-liter) six-cylinder and continuing with a pair of V8s, namely a 283ci (4.6-liter) and a 348ci (5.7-liter).
The Bel Air that we have here is supposed to be a restoration candidate, but as you’ll learn in the next few lines, it comes with both good news and bad news.
First and foremost, let’s see the good parts. The Bel Air still comes with a numbers-matching 283 V8 under the hood, a clean title, and several solid parts that could be used as a foundation for the upcoming restoration.
On the other hand, the 283 V8 unit that we told you about is locked up from sitting, so despite being the original engine from the factory, it’ll require some fixes whose complexity can only be determined by a visual inspection.
Then, there’s the obvious rust that has already plagued several parts, including the floors and the trunk pans. There are some holes that would require patching, but again, checking out the car in person should help determine how many fixes would eventually be needed.
The interior also comes with bad news, as the rear seat doesn’t seem to be original, with eBay seller i*find*u*flip explaining it was most likely borrowed from a sedan, as it’s too wide for this Bel Air.
At the end of the day, restoring this Bel Air to factory specifications will be quite a challenge, but despite this, several netizens are already fighting to get the car home. The top bid at the time of writing is close to $1,900, with six days left until the auction comes to an end.
The Bel Air that we have here is supposed to be a restoration candidate, but as you’ll learn in the next few lines, it comes with both good news and bad news.
First and foremost, let’s see the good parts. The Bel Air still comes with a numbers-matching 283 V8 under the hood, a clean title, and several solid parts that could be used as a foundation for the upcoming restoration.
On the other hand, the 283 V8 unit that we told you about is locked up from sitting, so despite being the original engine from the factory, it’ll require some fixes whose complexity can only be determined by a visual inspection.
Then, there’s the obvious rust that has already plagued several parts, including the floors and the trunk pans. There are some holes that would require patching, but again, checking out the car in person should help determine how many fixes would eventually be needed.
The interior also comes with bad news, as the rear seat doesn’t seem to be original, with eBay seller i*find*u*flip explaining it was most likely borrowed from a sedan, as it’s too wide for this Bel Air.
At the end of the day, restoring this Bel Air to factory specifications will be quite a challenge, but despite this, several netizens are already fighting to get the car home. The top bid at the time of writing is close to $1,900, with six days left until the auction comes to an end.
Google News