1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Series Bel Air

By 1950 Chevrolet was once again America's largest producer of automobiles with a quoted production of 1.4 million units in 12 months. 1950 was the first year of the DeLuxe 2-door Hardtop model that looked like a convertible. It was also the first year of the Powerglide 2-speed auto option. The 235 cubic-inch, inline 6-cylinder motor was clearly adaptable. The new wraparound rear window - then called a backlight - was in three pieces.

Back then, sales catalogs were exhaustive in listing all the different options, and a car like this could be had for as little as $1,700. This restored blue-grey Chevrolet has received many first-in-class awards at Northern California concours events. In 1950, Chevrolet's Deluxe and Fleetline Deluxe models were decorated with a stainless side trim and a 'Deluxe' script logo on the front fender and front door. Only Deluxe models were equipped with stainless windshield, and rear window reveal moldings. Chrome gravel guards and fender skirts were other Deluxe cues, and some were equipped with whitewall tires as well. This Chevrolet body was the company's first true post-war design was unveiled on January 1, 1949.

The current caretaker of this Bel Air DeLuxe 2-Door Hardtop has owned it for four decades, and he purchased it from the original owner.