Chevrolet Bel Air History

The Bel Air name first appeared in 1950 as a hardtop and became a full Chevrolet series in 1953. The 1955–1957 'Tri-Five' Bel Airs — especially the 1957 — are among the most celebrated American cars ever built.

The 1955 cars introduced Chevrolet's new small-block V8, transforming the brand's performance image. As Chevrolet added the upmarket Impala in 1958, the Bel Air slid down the range and was eventually retired from the US market after 1975 (continuing in Canada to 1981).