1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan (RHD)

Description

Although Chevrolet's 1959 models shared the same chassis design as the previous year, the styling was, to quote the ad men of the day, "all new all over again", with longer, wider and lower lines replacing the more upright stance of its predecessor. The tail section was particularly impressive, featuring dramatic ?batwing? style fins, along with lavish use of chrome decoration to emphasis the new Slimline design. According to Chevrolet's marketing department, the new look was "...shaped to the new American taste with a lean, clean silhouette". Chevrolet's model line-up in 1959 consisted of three distinct lines, with the base level Biscayne series and upmarket Impalas bookending the popular mid-range Bel Air. Sold in both six and eight-cylinder models, the Bel Air featured unique side moldings with painted inserts, special badging and ornaments atop the front fenders. In addition to the standard equipment found in the Biscayne, the Bel Air added Deluxe features like more supportive front seats and unique steering wheel. For those who found the standard sedans a little plain, Chevrolet offered an elegant pillarless hardtop with flat top roof treatment, along with the Kingswood and Parkwood station wagons for families. A vast array of engine and transmission options were available in 1959, with no less than eight differnet engines (ranging from the standard 235-cid six to the largest 438-cid V8) and seven types of gearbox available. Other mechanical developments for 1959 included Safety-Master brakes while the paint finish was improved with new Magic Mirror acrylic lacquer across the range. The '59 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan is a rare find in Australia and a stylish cruiser guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes.