1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Sedan Beautiful Restoration, Family-Owned Since 1954
Offered for sale is a truly special example of Chevrolet's iconic postwar styling a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Sedan, powered by its original 235 cubic inch Blue Flame 6-cylinder engine. With just 108 horsepower and a 1-barrel carburetor, this car captures a simpler time when style, grace, and craftsmanship ruled the road.
This Bel Air has been in the same Northern California family since 1954, when it was purchased by Faye and Thelma Stevenson in Redding, CA, likely from the historic Thatcher & Lowden Chevrolet dealership. It served faithfully until it was parked in a barn on the family ranch in Palo Cedro around 1988, where it remained untouched for decades.
The car was inherited by Vern Stevenson, who relocated it to Weaverville in 2006. After recovering a new California title in 2015, Vern began a meticulous restoration in 2017. This wasn't a rushed build or a hot rod conversion it was a heartfelt return to originality. The car retains its factory-correct styling and mechanicals.
Restoration Highlights:
Engine Rebuilt (20172018): The original 235cid inline-six was professionally rebuilt and runs beautifully.
Full Restoration Completed in 2023: A multi-year effort focusing on authenticity, preservation, and driveability.
Receipts Included: A binder of documentation covers the rebuild and restoration process.
The body and trim reflect the graceful lines that made the 1953 Bel Air a standout in the Chevrolet lineup. The chrome is in excellent condition, and the paintwork complements the period-correct styling. The interior has been tastefully restored to factory specification no over-the-top mods, just good honest craftsmanship and attention to detail.
This car is a wonderful candidate for weekend drives, local shows, or simply to be enjoyed as a symbol of mid-century Americana. It starts easily, drives smoothly, and turns heads wherever it goes.
Additional Features:
Original-style 3-speed manual transmission
Period-correct hubcaps and trim
12V conversion optional but car currently retains its 6V setup for authenticity
Stored indoors and rust-free
Lifetime California vehicle
These original, unmolested Bel Airs are getting harder to find especially ones with a well-documented family history and a full, thoughtful restoration like this one.
Offered by: Platt Motors Inc. Anderson, California
Call Michael Platt at 707-599-9448
Email: [Email Dealer]
Website: www.plattmotors.com
Don't miss this chance to own a beautiful part of Chevrolet history restored, respected, and ready for the next chapter in its journey.