This meticulously resto-modded ’54 Chevy Bel Air, offered now on eBay, can best be described as: refined. The straight Southern body is finished in silver metallic with a dark gray roof—with the two-tone paint adding an air of elegance. In fact, the car is so elegant that it earned the nickname “Tuxedo” at Traditional Hot Rod Motors, where it was prepared.
Our handsome example rolls proudly on 18-inch chrome Ridler wheels, wrapped with low-profile Firestone tires. The distinctive Bel Air trim has been re-chromed, along with the bumpers and grille. The glass is in excellent shape and conservatively tinted. It’s decked out with all the right stuff, although it lacks a cummerbund.
The Bel Air rides low on a touring-style slammed suspension. There are dropped spindles in the front, lowering blocks in the rear, and lowering springs all around. The seller states that the 1954 model “drives like riding on a cloud” and handles very well.
The engine compartment is ultra-clean. The Bel Air’s original inline six has been swapped out for a 350 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8, equipped with a mild cam and a Holly carburetor. The engine is tastefully dressed with a custom billet air cleaner, valve covers, and PCV. The four-speed manual transmission is topped with a T-handled Hurst Shifter. The rear is stock.
The Bel Air’s interior is completely refreshed—the stock bench seats finished in gorgeous grey-blue tweed fabric upholstery, with door panels to match. The dash has been repainted, and the carpets and headliner have been replaced. The original steering wheel has been swapped out for a Con2r custom unit. A Sunpro tach is fitted to the top of the dash. The radio is a stock Motorola unit. The back seat is cavernous.
Although 1955 through 1957 Chevrolets are among the most recognizable American cars of all time, the 1953 and 1954 models served as a transition from the post-war models. Gone were the split windshields of the earlier models. The 1953 model marked the introduction of the one-piece curved windshield. The Bel Air was the top of the range and the two-door was the coveted variant.
Luscious photography and a video posted on the listing page lets you soak in all the sights and sound.
See Chevy 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 for sale on eBay.
