1961 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Speed

This 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air is finished in Roman Red over red interior and is powered by a 348ci V8 paired to a 4-speed manual transmission. The two-door sedan was the recipient of a full restoration 2 years ago, with the goal to re-create a street/strip style car one could have ordered from the factory. Currently, the car is located in Scottsdale, AZ and offered with a clean Arizona title in the sellers name

When the car was originally built in the Los Angeles, CA plant in 1961 there were 5 different body styles available in the Bel Air line. This example rolled out of the factory as the 2-door sedan which featured a large wrap-around rear window, B-pillar and squared-off roofline, giving the car a more pronounced profile compared to the Sport Coupes swept-back lines. The car received a frame-off restoration two years ago when it was repainted to the current Roman Red, the previous color is unknown.

14-inch painted steel wheels with chrome "dog dish" hubcaps were put on during the restoration to keep with the theme of re-creating a factory-style drag car. The benefits of doing this were twofold, it would save weight compared to other wheel options and keep cost down allowing a buyer to prioritize performance options like engines, transmissions, and axles. The tires are 215/75/R14 radials and were installed to improve driveability and safety, though not period correct for 1961

The interior was fully redone at the time of restoration including the front and rear bench seats being reupholstered with correct style Seville grain vinyl with horizontal stripe cloth inserts. The door and side panels were also replaced at this time along with the headliner. The carpet was replaced with a red "salt-n-pepper" loop weave style to match the rest of the interior. The 4-speed transmission is controlled through the chrome-plated Hurst shifter with a white shift ball protruding from the transmission tunnel with no center console. According to the seller, the vehicle had retained its original side are rear glass pieces, which were reinstalled during the restoration.

Instrumentation is anchored by a 120-mph strip-style speedometer, with smaller gauges for engine temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 33k miles though true mileage is unknown. Levers controlling the heater are housed on the dash panel just to the right of the steering column and a block off plate was installed in the place where a factory radio would be. The steering wheel is the standard 2 spoke with a vintage-style Suntune II tachometer is mounted to the column.

The 348ci V8 was factory rated anywhere from 250 to 350 horsepower depending on the configuration, but the seller is unsure of any internal performance upgrades. It features the recognizable "camel hump" heads featured on Chevrolet performance cars of the early 60's as well as an original style air cleaner, exhaust manifolds, hardware, and fan shroud. Aftermarket items include a 4 barrel carburetor with braided fuel line and a remote operated electric exhaust cutout.

Additional photos of the undercarriage can be viewed in the gallery.

AUTOHUNTER ADMIN UPDATE 9/17/20 2:30 PST: A YouTube video has been added and can be viewed at the top of this listing