Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Craigslist
The 1964 Bel Air barely received any changes, as Chevrolet was already getting ready for a new generation. The new model year was largely the same as its predecessor, with the same engine lineup that started with a six-cylinder unit and continued with several V8 options.
The 327, available in 1964 with multiple power options, was one of the most common choices, while the 409 could be had with 400 or 425 horsepower. The biggest block in the house was the 427, which produced 430 horsepower.
The 1964 Bel Air in these photos was born with a 283 engine, though the mill under the hood is now a 350 crate unit. The owner explains on Craigslist that the car received the engine swap in 2003, though the 283 is still around and going with the vehicle once it finds a new home.
The engine swap was supposed to breathe new life into the Bel Air, but in 2004, a year after the upgrade, the car was involved in a fire. The battery burst into flames, but the owner says the fire department used foam to put out the fire, protecting the vehicle from heavy damage. The fire didn't heavily damage the metal, and while new paint is required, you'll also have to install new wires in the engine bay.
The Bel Air's struggle continued after the firefighters extinguished the fire. The car was towed to the owner's farm, but the Bel Air ended up in a hay shed instead of getting a complete overhaul. It spent the next two decades in the same place, hoping to see the daylight once again under new ownership.
The car is now available on Craigslist, with the owner saying the car is still fixable. The 350 is in the car, but if the buyer wants to restore it to factory specifications, they can include the original 283 in the sale. They claim the mill is in great shape, though it "might need a new head gasket."
The photos don't reveal much about the Bel Air's condition, as the car is covered in dust after the 20-year sleep. Your best option is to inspect the car in person before committing to a purchase, especially if you plan to restore it to factory specifications. It's unclear if the long tenure in storage produced metal damage, so you must inspect the undercarriage on a lift.
The selling price makes sense for a Bel Air with solid chances to return to factory specifications. The owner hopes to get $12,000, but the first thing every potential buyer should do is to inspect the car thoroughly live (or order a third-party inspection) to determine how much damage the fire produced.
The 1964 Bel Air in these photos was born with a 283 engine, though the mill under the hood is now a 350 crate unit. The owner explains on Craigslist that the car received the engine swap in 2003, though the 283 is still around and going with the vehicle once it finds a new home.
The engine swap was supposed to breathe new life into the Bel Air, but in 2004, a year after the upgrade, the car was involved in a fire. The battery burst into flames, but the owner says the fire department used foam to put out the fire, protecting the vehicle from heavy damage. The fire didn't heavily damage the metal, and while new paint is required, you'll also have to install new wires in the engine bay.
The Bel Air's struggle continued after the firefighters extinguished the fire. The car was towed to the owner's farm, but the Bel Air ended up in a hay shed instead of getting a complete overhaul. It spent the next two decades in the same place, hoping to see the daylight once again under new ownership.
The car is now available on Craigslist, with the owner saying the car is still fixable. The 350 is in the car, but if the buyer wants to restore it to factory specifications, they can include the original 283 in the sale. They claim the mill is in great shape, though it "might need a new head gasket."
The photos don't reveal much about the Bel Air's condition, as the car is covered in dust after the 20-year sleep. Your best option is to inspect the car in person before committing to a purchase, especially if you plan to restore it to factory specifications. It's unclear if the long tenure in storage produced metal damage, so you must inspect the undercarriage on a lift.
The selling price makes sense for a Bel Air with solid chances to return to factory specifications. The owner hopes to get $12,000, but the first thing every potential buyer should do is to inspect the car thoroughly live (or order a third-party inspection) to determine how much damage the fire produced.
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