Win the 1957 Bel Air, Chevrolet created one of the best loved American classic cars of all, it is strong simple lines and impressive performance (from a sporty new V8 engine) appealing to a whole generation of youthful American. Based on its 150 Series, the Bel Air was Chevrolet’s top of the range car. You could always recognized one instantly by the generous amount of extra chrome side trim it featured. By the standards of the day, its fins were rather slim and restrained, helping to give it a touch of elegance. The clean shape was derived from the completely redesigned 1955 model cars. As well as two and four door six passenger sedans, the Bel Air was available as a classy convertible, with optical power hood. A unique three door, hard top station wagon version was called the Nomad. The basic engine was a straight six, but the Bel Air like its lower priced siblings, could be had with a whole range of V8s. there went from a 185 bhp Turbo Fire to a potent 285 bhp fuel inject unit as found in the contemporary Corvette. Chevrolet claimed that the lather was the first production engine to provide one horse power per cubic inch (283 cu.in/ 283 bhp), but the Chrysler had actually beaten Chevrolet to it few months earlier with its 300 Series.
With this engine though, the Bel Air was a true 120 mph (192 km/h) car. At an extra cost of $500 dollars for the upgrade, there were few takers for the expensive option. Inevitably the Bel Air bacme less special with every passing year after the 1967 model. By the early 1960s, it had lost most of its native character and charm, and had been reduced to just another overweight American car.
