1966 Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevrolet produced the Bel Air from 1950 through 1981. The 1966 Chevy Bel Air was part of the sixth generation, introduced in 1965 and produced through 1970. It had an overall length of 213.3 inches with the same wheelbase size of 119 inches as the Fifth Generation. They had round taillights mounted high, curved window glass, and a new stamped grille with a lower extension below the bumper. Bodystyles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. In Chevrolet's lineup, the 1966 Bel Air was positioned above the entry-level Biscayne and distinguished by full-length bodyside molding, Bel Air script and Chevrolet emblems. They also had a deck lip molding and roof drip gutter moldings.

While the Biscayne was priced from $2,380 to $2,770 with six-cylinder power, the Bel Air ranged from $2,480 to $2,950. The Bel Air two-door sedan was priced at $2,480, the four-door sedan at $2,530, the six-passenger station wagon at $2,835, and the nine-passenger version at $2,950. With the addition of the base V8 engine on either the Biscayne or Bel Air, the price rose by approximately $100. Chevrolet built approximately 83,200 examples of the six-cylinder Biscayne and 39,200 with V8 engines compared to the 72,100 examples of the six-cylinder Bel Airs and the 164,500 V8-powered Bel Airs. The combined 236,600 Bel Air total does not include the station wagon sales. A total of around 18,100 six-cylinder station wagons and 167,400 full-size V-8 Chevrolet station wagons were built in 1966.

The interiors of the Bel Air were done in cloth and vinyl and included a glovebox lamp, glove compartment lock, dual sun visors, carpeting on the floor, and front door courtesy/dome lamp switches. The base overhead valve six-cylinder Turbo-Thrift engine displaced 250 cubic inches and delivered 155 horsepower. A new 427 cubic-inch V8 engine offered 390 hp or 425 horsepower depending on the configuration. The standard V8 engine was the 283 CID V8 with overhead valves, 9.25:1 compression, a downdraft two-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and delivered 195 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

Chevrolet gave the 1967 Bel Air flared rear fenders and a new grille for the 1986 model. The 1968 Bel Air received mandatory safety equipment that included shoulder belts for outboard front-seat occupants and side marker lights. The 1969 models gained new fender and body lines along with new front and rear styling updates which were carried through to 1970. By this point, the Bel Air had grown to a length of 219.9-inches and the station wagons measured 217.7 inches. The standard size was still the 250 with 155 horsepower and the standard V8 in full-size Chevrolets was the 350 CID with 250 hp. An all-new generation of styling arrived in 1971 and would continue through 1975.

by Dan Vaughan

From 1950 through 1952, Chevrolet hardtops in the Deluxe model line were dubbed the 'Bel Air'. It took a few more years before it would become its own distinct series. In 1953, the Bel Air became its own model and was applied to Chevrolet's top-of-the-line model range. By 1955, the cars were offered with an optional V8 engine which greatly improved the car's performance.

In 1953 Chevrolet had three new models and 17 body styles to select from. This was the company's widest range of offerings in its history. The introduction of the Chevrolet was stirring press for the company, but so was the Bel Air, considered the company's Crown Jewel.

The Bel Air Series consisted of a two and four-door sedan, sport coupe, and a convertible coupe. Everything that was standard on the lower-priced series was standard on the Bel Air, plus so much more including comfort, convenience, and styling options. There was a one-piece curved windshield which added superb visibility. The luggage compartment was massive and the 115-inch wheelbase provided plenty of interior room for its occupants. The 115-horsepower Blue-Flame six-cylinder engine was new and the most powerful engine in Chevrolet's history.

In 1954, the Bel Air was launched as a 1955 model and brought with it a fresh new, elegant look for Chevrolet. With bold features that included hooded headlights, tailfins, wrap-around windshield, and rear fender skirts, the Bel Air was able to out-style the competition. The base engine was a six-cylinder, 115 horsepower power-plant. At a base price of $1095, it was a bargain. It is considered America's first low-priced 'hardtop coupe'. The most famous of the Bel Air engine options were the 283 cubic-inch V-8 small-block, with Ramjet Fuel injection. It delivered one horsepower per cubic inch, a first for production cars. Along with style, the Bel Air was a fast machine. Chevrolet quickly ascertained a reputation for building performance vehicles.

A full-width grille, redesigned front and rear fenders, gas cap behind the left taillight, larger rectangular parking lights, and sweeping side trim were just a few of the changes that set the 1956 Chevrolet apart from the 1955, which had taken the country by storm with its all-new body re-design.

For the performance-minded public, the 1956 Chevrolet offered three 265 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V-8 engine options: base 170 hp, 205 hp 4 bbl, and the 225 hp dual 4 bbl.

Chevrolet produced 1,574,740 cars in the 1956 model year, of which 41,268 were Belair Convertibles. The 3,320-pound car cost $2,443 with the base V-8. You could literally load your new Chevy with factory options and accessories and stay under $3,000.

In 1957, the Bel Air grew in length by 2-1/2 inches and received a wider and taller grille. Additional options became available including a two-tone interior, power convertible top, shoulder harnesses, tinted glass, seat belts, tissue dispenser, and ventilated seat pads.

In total, there were seven body styles to select from. In 1957, a two-page Chevrolet magazine ad proclaimed that 'Chevy puts the purr in performance'. This Bel Air Convertible, with the optional 245 HP 283 CID small-block V-8 equipped with two four-barrel carburetors, would certainly deliver on the promise made by the ad copy noted above, delivering a hearty purr from its dual exhausts.

Over the years, these popular cars became an icon for the entire generation and they have gone on to become one of the most desirable and collectible post-war cars of all. 47,000 Bel Air convertibles were produced in the 1957 model year.

The Chevrolet models grew in length in 1958 and increased in size. The Chevrolet Impala became their top-of-the-line model, followed by the middle-range Bel Air. The front end featured a broad grill with quad headlights.

By the later part of the 1960s, the Chevrolet Bel Air moved into the territory of a fleet vehicle. It was a basic machine built on Chevrolet's large platform and outfitted with few thrills or options. It was a good car though it lacked the prestige of times gone by.

The 1964 Chevrolet Be Air (Series 1600) was Chevrolet's mid-priced line between the basic Biscayne and the Impala.

The Biscayne was discontinued after 1972, and the Bel Air was moved into its place, becoming Chevrolet's low-level model. Production in the United States continued until 1975 though production continued in Canada until 1981.

by Dan Vaughan