1962 Chevrolet Bel Air

The 1962 Bel Air was available in a wide range of body styles, including a 2-door coupe and hardtop, as well as a 4-door hardtop, sedan and station wagon. Among these, the 2-door pillarless hardtop was only available for the 1961 and 1962 model years. The lack of a B-pillar, coupled with the wrap-around front and rear glass led to the popular, if unofficial, Bubble Top designation. The term “bubble top” is defined as a plastic top to an automobile that is rounded in shape. It was coined due to cars of the early 1960 era having expansive rounded and curved front and rear glass, giving the visual that someone blew air into the interior and expanded the glass in an outward way. A bubble if you will!

If you want a great runner, you can hop in and drive it on any trip short or long, and if it rains, roll the windows up! This is the car for you, if you are a mid-century modern bow tie fan, and don’t want the hassle of rummaging through endless junkyards for parts, or spending money on expensive repairs, the consignor has already done this for you. A beautifully restored, hard to come by Chevrolet Bel Air bubble top sport coupe with a 502ci V8, Ermine White paint, which is pristine, and literally a 60 year old everyday driver, look no further than this ride. The beneficiary of a frame off restoration 4 years ago, always garage kept since, and having completed the Hot Rod Powertour from Detroit to Texas, this Bel Air will make you realize that 1962 never looked so good!

Exterior
Bathed in wonderfully applied Ermine White, the straight steel and evenly gapped panels are wave free, and fit like it just left the factory. Very few flaws and inclusions are seen throughout upon close inspection, with all remaining shiny and looking great from 5 feet. All brightwork is beautiful, and correct badging is seen overall. There is a nice complimenting trim spear running from bow to stern of the belt line along with a crossed flags emblem and 502 decal leading the way on the fenders…now that’s 60’s cool! Also, the white bubble top is looking fab with its paper thin A and B-pillars and blown out wrap-around glass! The car sports a Chevrolet cloisonne badge on the rear quarter panel, along with a Bel Air badge in grandmother’s handwriting. Also adding to the 60s coolness are dual rocket-like taillights mounted within a centrally veed down tail panel, almost creating a scowl on the rear of the car. Just below is another mirror-like rear bumper and dog dish wheel coverings are on white steel wheels on all 4 corners adding accenting to the lower portion of this beautiful restoration. Bubblicious!

Interior
Deep red vinyl with striped and textured seat inserts and smooth bolsters cover the front low back split front bench seat and rear full bench. On the upper portions of all the chairs are chrome buttoned and stitched rectangular insert panels, all floating in smooth red vinyl with white highlighting. The door panels take on the same version of this button seat motif, and show a litany of chrome door actuators, window cranks, and buttons all of which present in good condition. An inverted V design dash utilizes all red steel with ribbed insert panels and sparkles with chromed knobs and a retro-vintage AM/FM radio. We note an aftermarket heater and AC controller hanging just under the glovebox and is shiny enough to be blinding. The original deep red plastic clad over chrome emblazoned steering wheel fronts the quintessential Chevy styled speedo, mileage indicator and a trio of round gauges just above the steering column. An aftermarket tachometer is strapped to the left of the dash to keep a mindful eye on those rpms. Above is a tighty whitey headliner, and below very clean red, red carpeting with the automatic shifter protruding from the hump. I can also note the trunk is clean enough and probably large enough to live in and is wrapped with textured trunk paint and a gray and black rubber mat, all looking wonderful!

Drivetrain
A 502ci V8 replaces the original engine and is draped with polished intake manifold, fenderwell cold air induction system, as well cast aluminum polished valve covers. Fuel and air is fed to this monster big block via electronic fuel injection and on the back is a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission. Turning the tires is a Positraction rear axle weighing in with a 3.55 ratio.

Undercarriage
Our consigner states that during the frame off restoration a new trunk pan was installed due to water sitting in the original. All other sheetmetal and structural supports are the same metal that left the factory. Black paint completes the look with almost no surface rust and just a light coating of road dirt on. An independent coil spring front suspension works with a 3 link and coil spring rear suspension to provide the ride. Power disc brakes are up front, and power drums for the back and handling the exhale are silver coated headers and like new dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers.

Drive-Ability
As expected, it was an E ticket ride with plenty of power and ear candy with a turn of the key. Great acceleration, nice handling, and quick stopping. The interior is uber comfortable and very clean, and the stereo sounds great.
A careful and painstaking restoration by the consignor which has taken years to complete, is now here for the taking for another’s pleasure. There is nothing more heart wrenching than selling one of the loves of your life, however solace can be taken that this one will live on and continue to put smiles on faces for another generation. Just a beautiful example right here in front of you, (or your eyes if you are looking at your computer!).

VIN DECODE
21637L121105
2-1962
16-Bel Air V8
37-2 Door Sport Coupe
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
121105-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
07B-2nd Week July Build
STYLE 62 11637-1962 Bel Air 2 Door Sport Coupe
BODY AT752-Atlanta Body #
TRIM 850-Aqua Vinyl & Cloth Bench
PAINT 918-Twilight Blue
ACC Illegible

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.