Though just a year shy of the archetypal Tri-Fives that everyone knows and loves, this pristine ’54 Bel Air (no. 1670483) is nonetheless a rare gem that deserves preservation. We spotted this beauty while cruising through the Hemmings Classifieds, and couldn’t help but get a good look-see at what’s been done to make it the light blue beauty it is today.
Hailing from Carson, California, the Bel Air was lovingly restored sometime in the mid-2000s and made a showing at the invite-only Long Beach Motorama show in 2011, where it won an award from the judging committee.
We wonder what finally did it in for the judges’ decision: was it the Coker wide radial whitewalls? The frenched accessories, including the taillights, headlights, and antenna? Or perhaps it was the scintillating interior, complete with pinstriping?
Regardless of the reasons why, we’re just glad to see a car like this is back on the market, waiting for its next driver. He’ll be sure to get a kick out of the killer components installed to give that rebuilt Corvette 327 V8 some get-up-and-go. Chief among these are the Posi-trac differential, dual Flowmaster exhaust system, and TH350 transmission.
Inside, the style and comfort margin is enhanced with well-done tuck and roll upholstery, Kenwood stereo with six Panasonic speakers, and a Kicker subwoofer and amplifier out back. The Vintage Air A/C unit is also a nice touch, one which the Californian crowd will appreciate for those summer cruise-ins.