That is an installment in a collection of posts wanting again on present vehicles that we really feel deserved a bit of extra consideration than they obtained. When you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Idea matter, please shoot us a line or go away a remark under.
Chevrolet Bel Air Idea
First Seen
2002 Detroit Auto Present
Description
Small, sporty, body-on-frame convertible
Designer
Gross sales Pitch
“This isn’t only a automobile. It’s a time-traveling icon reborn for the twenty first century.”
Particulars
First seen on the 2002 Detroit Auto Present, the Chevrolet Bel Air Idea paid design homage to the model’s common vehicles of the Fifties, particularly the 1955-1957 fashions, sometimes called the “Tri-5.”
Exterior Design
The Bel Air Idea featured a thick chrome windshield body, spherical headlights, a bold-but-simple grille, and hints of tailfins. The idea was crimson with red-line tires on 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside Design
The cabin featured crimson cloth bench seats, a steering-column-mounted shifter for the automated transmission, and a twin-element dashboard more-or-less true to that present in Tri-5 vehicles.
Powertrain
Not true to the unique vehicles was the Bel Air’s drivetrain. The idea was motivated by a turbocharged 3.5-liter “Atlas” 5-cylinder engine rated at 315 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque. A variation of this engine was then discovered below the hood of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Colorado. The Atlas engine was mated to a 4-speed automated transmission.
Dimensions
- Size: 191 inches
- Wheelbase 111 inches
Common Motors developed the Bel Air Idea—at the very least partly–in response to Ford’s callback Thunderbird convertible—then on sale. Although typically nicely obtained, the Bel Air by no means noticed manufacturing.
CG Says:
This creator would have beloved to see some evolution of the Bel Air Idea come to market. As an alternative, Chevy introduced us the compellingly odd SSR hardtop-convertible pickup truck. Although the latter was attention-grabbing, it wasn’t a market success, and at this time exhibits up most throughout rain-free weekends within the Midwest.
There appears to be no client curiosity in convertibles anymore, although affordability could also be enjoying a task within the ragtop’s demise. Many open-air-car consumers bought their convertibles as third vehicles, pushed solely on good days. Nevertheless, with the costs of recent autos cresting the $50,000 mark, a 3rd car is a luxurious many households can not handle.
Hearken to the Shopper Information Automobile Stuff Podcast
Chevrolet Bel Air Photos
(Click on under for enlarged photographs)
