1965 Chevrolet Bel Air

In the early months of 1965, Junior may have been dreaming about the prospect of someday owning one of the GM intermediate super cars; yet, as had been the case for at least one generation, odds are he and his like-minded buddies were getting a lift inside the friendly confines of a more sedate full-size car. Though some creations still clung tightly to their image as a status symbol, most were family-friendly leviathans, cruising both the highways and local boulevards in relatively unimaginable numbers. At the end of the model year production, Chevy alone accounted for more than 1.6 million in 1965, including the Bel Air sedan pictured here.

Although the Bel Air had been ousted as a top tier model by the Impala years prior, it was no less an important part of Chevy's senior lineup, offering the same spacious accommodations, power, comfort and handling as its platform siblings, yet in a more affordable mid-range ($2,400-$3,000) price bracket, highlighted by patterned cloth upholstery bench seats. Available in two- and four-door sedan form--and a station wagon--it also received the same off-season exterior restyling that included kickups to the rear flanks and a beltline crease that provided both a forward rake to the front end and rear panel. That restyling extended the body length to 213 inches, or roughly four inches more than 1964 editions.

The new body was bolted to a 119-inch-wheelbase frame that included five crossmembers and box-sectioned side rails for added structural stiffness. A smooth ride was achieved by bolting a coil-sprung suspension system at all four corners, while an industry-standard four-wheel drum-brake system was employed for deceleration.

As was typical of the era, Chevy offered buyers a number of engines, beginning with the economical 140hp, 230-cu.in. Turbo-Thrift straight-six. The economy V-8 was the 195hp Turbo-Fire 283; however, a pair of 327 and 409 cubic-inchers were on the option chart at the start of the sales season. By February, the 409s were dropped in favor of the new 396-cu.in. Mark IV big-block, an expanded 250 six-cylinder joined the fray, and a 220hp version of the 283 became available. In all, up to five engines in eight different horsepower ranges were available at any one time.

Transmissions included a three-speed manual, three-speed manual with overdrive (with the 230 six-cylinder and 283 V-8), four-speed manual, Turbo Hydra-Matic (with 396 V-8) and Powerglide. Our feature car is equipped with the reliable 140hp 230 and Powerglide combination.

At the end of the model year, Chevy had assembled roughly 379,200 Bel Airs (an exact body-style breakout is not available). With regard to straight-six versus V-8 production, it's generally accepted that the latter reigned supreme during the decade to the tune of 80 to 85 percent; making this four-door a relatively rare car today.