1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Series

The 1959 Chevy Bel Air models were given a new design featuring unique cat's-eye tail lights, new sheet metal, and headlights placed low to the ground. It continued to use the 'X'-frame from 1958 but was strengthened and enlarged to support the weight and size of the new body.

The 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air had a length of 210.9 inches and stood 54 inches tall (on the coupes). This was an increase of 1.8 inches in length and a decrease of over 3 inches in height. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, a hardtop Sport Sedan, a six-passenger Parkwood station wagon, and a nine-passenger Kingswood station wagon. The Kingswood models had a power tailgate and a Deluxe steering wheel.

The Bel Air was now the middle-range vehicle, placed below the top-of-the-line Impala. Power was from the Blue Flame inline six-cylinder engine displacing 3.9 liters and offering 135 horsepower. The base small-block V8 engine was an overhead-valve unit that displaced 283 CID and offered 185 horsepower. Transmission options included a 3- and 4-speed manual or a 2-speed Powerglide automatic.

Standard equipment included electric wipers, front and rear foam cushions, a Deluxe steering wheel, and an oil bath cleaner for the V8 engines. The Kingswood had a power tailgate. Performance options included fuel injection, lowered compression, and special cams.

The Bel Air
The full-size Chevrolet Bel Air was produced from 1950 through 1975, initially as a two-door hardtop from 1950 to 1952. In 1953, the 'Bel Air' went from a body style designation to a premium level of trip applied to several body styles. In 1955, it received all-new styling and was described by GM's advertising as the 'Hot One.' This generation of styling continued through 1957, and in 1958, they became lower, longer, and heavier, wearing a redesigned look. In the front was a broad grille and quad headlights; at the back was a fan-shaped alcove on both side panels, housing dual taillights. Attractive styling throughout the Chevrolet line, along with a vast list of standard equipment and potent powerplants earned Chevrolet the number one position in United States automotive sales.

The fourth generation of Bel Air styling was introduced in 1959, with the most striking feature being the flat, wing-shaped tailfins. Styling changes for 1960 were mild, with a return of the double cone tail lights of 1958 replacing the 1959's 'cat's eyes' of 1959 and the same engine lineup as in 1958. The fuel injection option was no longer available.

In 1961, the fifth generation of styling was introduced and would continue through 1964. Production of the Bel Air name would continue through 1981.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2018