1959 Chevrolet Belair Restoration.

junkmn · 21st November 2009, 20:39

hello once again fellow automobile enthusiasts, as requested on my 61 plymouth fury thread I would like to share some restoration pictures of my Aussie Assembled 1959 Chevrolet Belair sedan. Originally brought to Australia as a ckd (complete knock down) and assembled at the Dandenong GMH plant in Melbourne. The chev was originally purchased from a little old lady who was the original owner from day 1. My fasination for 1959 chevrolets dates back to when I was 5yrs old and spotted my first 59 on the road, whilst out on a Saturday night cruise with my father, it was love at first sight and from then on i knew I would own noe of these batmobiles one day! I purchased the 59 approx ten years ago I was 24yrs old and dismantled it back to the bare shell, she did have her fair share of rust and panel damage, which was all repaired by myself, the body was totally metal finished this took me approx 6 years on and off between other resto projects, working on it when I felt like it, next was to rebuild all the brakes, suspension, front end, electricals, and throw in a 327 ci V8 and powerglide,(came out of a 68 Camaro that was getting a big block.) mine was originally sold new with the 235 6 cyl which i still have stored under the work bench, but prefer to run the 327. we then shot the body in two pack COB (clear over base) my friend trimmed the door panels in red tuck 'n roll pleats, the seats where trimmed over twenty years ago and are still in good condition, I use this pretty much as my daily driver at present, and have no intention of ever letting her go, (she was my boyhood dream), and the the only way to make this dream a reality was to build one myself! hope you all enjoy cheers Chris.

mbz180 · 24th December 2010, 18:14

The Impala was called the BelAir in Australia? That would be really strange.

karlosdeville · 26th December 2010, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbz180

The Impala was called the BelAir in Australia? That would be really strange.

Not true. This 59 Chevy was offered in a variety of trim levels, 2 of which were Impala and BelAir. Somehow in India the 59 Impala was probably more common, and all 59 Chevys are refered to as Impala, forgetting the Biscayne and BelAir.

Here is a lovely 59 BelAir in Bombay.

1959 Chevrolet Belair Restoration.-01.jpg

1959 Chevrolet Belair Restoration.-04.jpg

camchennai · 26th December 2010, 12:47

That was an excellent restoration, car looks new and has that classic touch every where.

now, tell us what was the cost involved and how were you able to source the spare parts. Need some more information please

21st November 2009, 20:39	#1
junkmn Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 24 Thanked: 10 Times	1959 Chevrolet Belair Restoration. hello once again fellow automobile enthusiasts, as requested on my 61 plymouth fury thread I would like to share some restoration pictures of my Aussie Assembled 1959 Chevrolet Belair sedan. Originally brought to Australia as a ckd (complete knock down) and assembled at the Dandenong GMH plant in Melbourne. The chev was originally purchased from a little old lady who was the original owner from day 1. My fasination for 1959 chevrolets dates back to when I was 5yrs old and spotted my first 59 on the road, whilst out on a Saturday night cruise with my father, it was love at first sight and from then on i knew I would own noe of these batmobiles one day! I purchased the 59 approx ten years ago I was 24yrs old and dismantled it back to the bare shell, she did have her fair share of rust and panel damage, which was all repaired by myself, the body was totally metal finished this took me approx 6 years on and off between other resto projects, working on it when I felt like it, next was to rebuild all the brakes, suspension, front end, electricals, and throw in a 327 ci V8 and powerglide,(came out of a 68 Camaro that was getting a big block.) mine was originally sold new with the 235 6 cyl which i still have stored under the work bench, but prefer to run the 327. we then shot the body in two pack COB (clear over base) my friend trimmed the door panels in red tuck 'n roll pleats, the seats where trimmed over twenty years ago and are still in good condition, I use this pretty much as my daily driver at present, and have no intention of ever letting her go, (she was my boyhood dream), and the the only way to make this dream a reality was to build one myself! hope you all enjoy cheers Chris. Attached Thumbnails
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24th December 2010, 18:14	#2
mbz180 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kolkata Posts: 894 Thanked: 1,027 Times	Re: 1959 Chevrolet Belair Restoration. The Impala was called the BelAir in Australia? That would be really strange.
	() Thanks

26th December 2010, 12:47	#4
camchennai BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 335 Thanked: 11 Times	Re: 1959 Chevrolet Belair Restoration. That was an excellent restoration, car looks new and has that classic touch every where. now, tell us what was the cost involved and how were you able to source the spare parts. Need some more information please
	() Thanks