To say the least, 1953 was an active year for Chevrolet, as it had introduced three new models, which gave them a total range of 17 different offerings—the largest range in the company’s history. While it was the introduction of the Corvette that stole all the headlines, it was the all-new Bel Air that was Chevrolet’s crown jewel, with advertisements declaring it to be: “Startingly New! Wonderfully Different!”

In truth, the Bel Air was not all that new or different, but it was a beautifully built and well-equipped American family car, and it was offered with everything that was standard on lower-priced series but with a lot more comfort, convenience, and styling features. Americans embraced the new Fisher Unisteel body, with its enlarged luggage and passenger space and one-piece curved windshield, while the all-new 115-horsepower Blue Flame inline-six, which came standard with the selection of Powerglide automatic transmission, was the most powerful version yet of the famous “Stovebolt.”

The Convertible offered here features an exceptional restoration, and it is certainly among the finest, if not the finest, available today. The body has been taken back to its original color of Target Red, which was applied over laser-straight panels that have outstanding fit, and the vinyl interior is tight, fresh, and as-new. The chrome trim is bright and lustrous throughout, down to the dashboard. There is an abundant amount of options and accessories found on the car, including an AM radio, a correct Chevrolet heater, chromed wheel covers, a driver’s-side mirror with a spotlight, and wide whitewall tires. A correct spare wheel and tire reside in the trunk. Underneath and under the hood are as clean as the rest of the car, with correct wiring, decals, and detailing found throughout.

This is an outstanding Bel Air that had only 52 miles recorded on its odometer at the time of cataloguing, and it is one that is surely to be a great favorite of crowds and judges, wherever it ventures. Compared to all others on the market, it is, indeed, “Wonderfully Different!”