1964 Chevrolet Bel Air Series

The Bel Air was the mid-priced Chevrolet in 1964, available as a 2- and 4-door sedan, and 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. Both six- and eight-cylinder engines could be installed under the bonnet along with a vast array of options and accessories. Prices began at $2,460 for the two-door sedan with a six-cylinder engine and rose to over $3,000 depending on options, engines, and body styles. Standard equipment included a glove compartment light, dome light door switches, foam-cushioned seats, heater and defroster, dual sun visors, dual-spoke steering wheel with horn right, ashtray, cigarette lighter, and a rubber luggage compartment mat. The Bel Air name and Chevrolet badges could be found on the rear fenders and the roof drip cap moldings were a unique Bel Air feature.

Both six and eight-cylinder engines were popular, with approximately 137,800 customers selecting the six while around 180,300 went for the eight. Chevrolet's lineup of eight-cylinder engines included the 283, 327, and 409 CID units in various states of tune, with horsepower ranging from 200 to 425 bhp.

The wheelbase measured 119 inches and a length of 209.9 inches. The station wagons were slightly longer at 210.8 inches. The vast list of options included deluxe air conditioning, a six-way power seat, power steering, power brakes, padded dash, tinted glass, heavy-duty brakes, two-speed electric washers and wipers, tilt steering, and more.

1964 was the final year of what is known as the Fifth Generation of the Bel Air, with styling that had been introduced in 1961. It continued to rest on a 119-inch wheelbase while its length had been reduced to 209.3-inches, growing to 210.4-inches in 1963 when it received a mild facelift, then shrinking to 209.9-inches in 1964 (the wagons rested on a 210.8-inch platform).

The Sixth Generation of the Bel Air arrived in 1965 and would continue through 1970. Its new styling was placed atop a 213.3-inch platform, while the wheelbase remained 119 inches. The standard V8 continued to be the 195 horsepower, 283 CID engine, with optional powerplants being the new 396 CID engines of 325 hp and 340hp, and two 409 CID V8s with 400 hp and 425 hp.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2020