327 V8 Sedan: Snappy 1969 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Bel Air debuted in 1950 as Chevrolet’s top-of-the-line automobile, a position it held until the Impala unseated it in 1959 as a separate series. When the seller’s 1969 Bel Air 2-door sedan was built, it was the middle-ground model positioned above the basic Biscayne. This car looks well-cared for and may be sporting its original interior. The blinged-out 327 cubic inch V8 may have more power than the stock 235 hp. Located in Waldoboro, Maine, this Bow-Tie beauty is available here on craigslist for $16,900, another tip brought to us by reliable Rocco B.!
Buyers would continue to visit Chevy showrooms in 1969 in search of a Bel Air to take home. The GM division built 155,000 of them, most with V8 engines. Besides station wagons, only two and four-door sedans were in the Bel Air portfolio. If you wanted a hardtop or convertible, you had to pony up for an Impala or Caprice. Besides the upgrade to a V8, the options on this Bel Air may have been few, including the 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission and AM radio (which we’re told still works!).
If you like simplicity of style, this Bel Air has it. Less exterior chrome than the Impala and the seller (or a previous owner) upgraded the wheels, and tires, and added a dual exhaust. The Chevy has 103,000 miles, so, logically, the Forest Green paint has been redone (and apparently well). It’s not perfect or will not win any major awards but should show nicely at Cars & Coffee. The seller says the title is “missing” but some parts of New England didn’t issue titles back in those days.
Besides having replaced the rubber donuts, the seller mentions the tubular upper and lower control arms, so we assume they’ve been replaced, too. And the engine has received a tune-up, so it should run as good as it looks. The seller mentions delivery is available (is the seller a dealer?) and the price is firm (no dickering). Rides like this are harder to find because far more Impalas were built than Bel Airs in the 1960s.
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Comments
Firm, fair, and friendly.
When I worked in the gas station back in ’76, one of the guys there bought almost a twin to this from one of the customers. Except it was a 3-on-the-tree, and I think a 307 V-8. The guy he bought it from was a rural mail carrier and used it to deliver mail. I don’t know how he did it, back then very few had right drive cars or even right side conversions. 1969 was a banner year for Chevrolet and this is a nice looking car. I don’t know if the owner will get all of the asking price, but who knows, prices for these aren’t going down.
I looked it up & the 307 was the standard V8 in Chevelle and Camaro in 1969 while the full size cars had the 235 hp 327 cid V8.
The 307 was a one year only job in full size 1968 Chevys.
For a good reason!
The Impala debuted in the 1958 model year…
I believe it was an upgrade in 58 and a stand alone in 59.
Map with the Craigslist ad shows location on Duckpuddle Road. What a neat name. I think it is a good deal on a nice car. I always liked the Belair trim level. Nice color too. GLWTS.
nice piece.
Lovely looking car. My favourite year for the Chevy Bel Air until the 1975 model. It’s nice to see an original survivor.
Nothing original under the hood, different wheels, and not the original paint. It looks like a super nice car for the money, but far from being an ”original survivor”. Not being smart, just clarifying.
As much as I love the ’65-’68 Chevrolets the ’69 has much appeal with its loop front bumper and inset taillamps. The pontoon fenders are cool too. With the Biscayne anchoring the bottom rung these BelAirs have just enough added glam to make a stylish driver.
Perfect home for a 502/502, and with a better braking system.
I will admit that the ’67 thru ’70 full size Chevrolets are something of an enigma for me. While for the most part I don’t find them at all attractive, there are certain ones that I am really drawn to. This Bel Aire is one of the latter. (as is the ’67 also included in today’s listings, but I digress) This is a very attractive and well-presented automobile. It appears to be in excellent condition and the color as well as the addition of the rally wheels works well. It seems a little bit optimistically priced but even given that, I will not be surprised if the seller gets what they are asking. Pretty car.
This is relatively unusual, in that cars from the “snow belt” tend to get rusted out. On the other hand, unless kept indoors, cars from the Southwest “sun belt”, interiors fade and rot out, dashboards crack and split, and the paint fades from the intense summer heat and UV rays, but their sheet metal remains sound. This is a good-looking car that has everything the way you’d want it, inside and out! GLWTS!
I’ve been a Chevy fan for a long time, and if a car could be handsome, beautiful and sporty all at the same time I think this one is. If it was mine we’d do some cruisin for sure.
If this heavy car has 4 wheel drum brakes, i would not try to take it down a long steep mountain – even worse if it had heavy a/c & was loaded with 6 adults & luggage. lol
Odd a ’69 would use this old fashioned gas pedal which limits your choice of floor mats.
Odd a Bel Air sedan would be babied, but i’m glad it was!
Cool air cleaner i guess from an early ’70s z28.