Strip or Street, the 409 was '62's Number-One Hit
The 1962 Bel Air Sport Coupe is a unique Chevrolet, for a number of reasons. It was the last of the hardtop Bel Airs. It retained the roofline of the '61 'bubbletop' Impala while other GM hardtops migrated to a convertible-like roofline. And with the optional Turbo-Fire 409 V8 underhood, the lightweight, aero Bel Air was the car to beat on the 1962 drag circuit.
The Beach Boys immortalized the legend with their number-one ode to this Chevrolet, '409.' In the summer of 1962, a 'four-speed, dual-quad, Positraction 409' really was something to sing about.
With its 409-hp/409-cubic-inch V8, 4-speed manual transmission and 'don't mess with me' dog-dish hubcaps, the Roman Red Bel Air shown exemplifies the chart-topping Chevrolet of 1962. | |
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