1954 Chevy Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Description for Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 1954

Beautiful Bel Air Convertible, built in Kansas, sold new in Oklahoma and then went to Killeen, TX. From old pics, appeared to have been a barn stored car with the top all there save the rear window and seats that looked untorn/weathered. It was still wearing it's original Butterscotch paint when it came to Maine in the '80s. The purchaser wanted a red and white Bel Air, so he had the seats and panels done, had the engine rebuilt, did some front suspension work and then stalled on the project. It was then sold to it's current owner, who had a '54 sedan when he was young and had always wanted a convertible. Since the interior was already done, he decided to go with red and white, but didn't care for the orangey shade of red they had that year, so he picked out a red he liked which is a Subaru color. It doesn't clash with the interior and has always been well received at shows. However, the seats were done with plain panels, but do have white welt cord. The car was very solid, so there was no need to remove the body and such. It was sent to one of the best body shops in the area and refinished inside and out (base clear),very smooth (glass-like) paint. The dash is correct low gloss to reduce glare on the new windshield. Some grill pieces were bought, but were sent back due to waves and overall quality. So, it was decided that the original chrome would be sent out. They did a great job, very uniform in color and finish, save one hazy spot on the grill that is hard to notice. The top control knob was replated, but for some reason, the o/s door handles were not. The driver's has pin bubbles. So overall nice chrome in and out, the upper stainless trim is good with some minor dings. The belt line stainless could use attention, dings were not removed/were not buffed. Right rear lower has a crack. New wiring harnesses, all rubber weatherstrips, w/s seal, convertible top seals, bump stops, trunk mat and cardboard, etc. The top motor, rams, etc. were replaced and are very quiet. There are 2 starter type solinoids for the top in the engine compartment, likely not original configuration. The trim installer put too long of a screw in a boot snap resulting in an approx. 1" tear (see pic) that was top-stitched and left. The orig. radio was rebuilt and sounds great. Thorough brake job 2-3 yrs. ago. The bias 5ww tires look great, no dry rot - cracks. The starter, generator, carburetor were rebuilt within the last 7 years. The 3 on the tree transmission was serviced with a n.o.s. second gear and other parts as required. Clutch works smooth. Full stainless exhaust, manifold back. All gauges work, speedo was reset to 10K (they couldn't get it to zero), so the car has had 3,230 miles since completed in 1990. The owner built a new 4 bay garage the same year where it's been stored under a quality cover (comes with). Previous owner had interior upper garnish moldings plated for some unknown reason. Overall a nice solid, unwrecked, unrotted car with a small crack in the filler lower r.r. quarter where there was a dent, very common on these cars due to driver's miscalculating how much the rear quarters stick out. Has had some repairs in floor pans due to rust from the inside, not from under. All body supports out to the rockers, etc. are clean, original. Driver's window goes up and down easily, but slowly sinks a little as you drive, It needs a new regulator. Fresh oil change. Real American iron engineered from the ground up as a drop top. The already rigid "I" beam style frame is reinforced with an impressive "X" member frame around the torque tube drive. The end result being a conv. that feels like it has a roof. This car is solid on the road with no perceptible cowl, steering column, shake or annoying body twists or aftershocks when you hit a ripple in the road. At some point, it was decided that boxing an open channel frame was good enough. Most '60s up conv. shake and twist, '80s and '90s being the worst, since most started as a sedan and then were shipped to an outside firm to hack up and spot weld some rocker reinforcements on. (They may look okay, but on the road they feel like they are going to fall apart.) I think you would be impressed with the solid ride this old car delivers. Having owned a '54 power glide car and still owning a nice original '53 Bel Air 2 dr. sedan, I can say that about 60 mph, they all sound the same...like they could use another gear. So,although it may not be Pebble Beach material, it's a nice solid, great running car that the owner would like to see somebody use and enjoy, as he has hardly driven it the past five years or so. There are no titles issued in the State of Maine for older vehicles, so you would only get a bill of sale and a registration. Please research this in your locale before bidding. Am listing for a friend, I am not the owner. Please direct any questions to the owner, Verne, at his company phone from 7AM to around 5PM at 207-465-7077 or kkls@roadrunner.com or by chance at 207-465-2070 from around 5PM to 7PM. Email is best, as he works on the road. You are welcome to come inspect the car. He would like 45K which is the reserve.