Hello!!!

[Flynman]

Hello Everyone!! I am new to the forum and have just begun my search for a 56 or 57 Bel Air. Finally at the point in my life where i have the time and resources to Buy/Build my dream car!! I have been working on cars for about 35 years and have good mechanical skills but not any real good autobody skills (although my brother in law is an outstanding Autobody guy). Trying to learn about the various 150/210/Bel Air models. I guess i will then have to decide what stage of restoration car to buy!! Looking foward to gaining the knowledge from all of you !!!

Thanks,
Keith R

[chevynut]

Welcome to the site Keith. Ask all the questions you want and someone will answer them.

I assume you've learned enough about these cars to know that the 150/210/BelAir are trim levels, not body types (except in the case of the Nomad). I've seen some guys call a hardtop a "BelAir" but hardtops were also available in the 210 level. The "150" was the lowest level with the least amount of trim and the BelAir was the highest level with all the chrome and stainless they could put on them.

As far as models, there are the sedans that were available in 2-door or 4-door. These cars are also often called "posts" because they have frames around the windows and vertical posts between windows. All were available in 150, 210, or BelAir trim.

Next is the hardtops, sometimes called "coupes", which were available again in 2-door and 4-door. There was no 4-door HT in 55 though. These cars don't have frames around the side windows and no post when the windows are rolled down. HTs were not available in 150 trim, only in 210 and BelAir trim.

The convertibles were only available in BelAir trim in all 3 years.

Next is the wagons. Wagons were also available in 2-door and 4-door models. The 2-door wagons were available in 150, 210 and BelAir trim with the BelAir being the Nomad with the unique roof, b-pillar, side windows, and tailgate/liftgate. There was no other 2-door BelAir wagon except the Nomad. The 4-door wagons were only available in 210 and BelAir trim.

Finally there's the sedan deliveries which were basically 2-door wagons with rear side windows that were eliminated and had a 1-piece liftgate in the rear. They were only available in 150 trim. Some rare sedan deliveries had side windows and 1-piece liftgates.

I think that's a correct summary of models and trims but there may be some other rare combos that I don't know about. Here's a table of them with production numbers:


1955 Chevrolet Production Model Numbers

Built Percentage of Total

150 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
1502 2dr sedan 66,833 3.76
1503 4dr sedan 34,906 1.96
1508 2dr sedan delivery 10,639 0.60
1512 2dr utility sedan 12,139 0.68
1529 2dr Handyman station wagon 18,496 1.04
150 Series Total 143,013 8.04

210 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2102 2dr sedan 250,000 14.07
2103 4dr sedan 340,222 19.15
2109 4dr Townsman station wagon 84,239 4.74
2124 2dr Delray club coupe 116,406 6.55
2129 2dr Handyman station wagon 29,419 1.66
2154 2dr hardtop sport coupe 11,685 0.66
210 Series Total 831,971 46.83

BelAir Series, 6cyl & 8cyl
2402 2dr sedan 168,826 9.50
2403 4dr sedan 366,293 20.63
2409 4dr Beauville station wagon 25,772 1.45
2429 2dr Nomad station wagon 25,772 1.45
2434 2dr Convertible 42,278 2.38
2454 2dr hardtop sport coupe 189,269 10.65
BelAir Series Total 800,968 45.09

Corvette
2934 2dr convertible 700 0.04

** 1955 Grand Total 1,776,652 100.00

1956 Chevrolet Production Model Numbers

Built Percentage of Total

150 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
1502 2dr sedan 82,735 5.09
1503 4dr sedan 55,333 3.40
1508 2dr sedan delivery 9,445 0.58
1512 2dr utility sedan 10,712 0.66
1529 2dr handyman station wagon 13,739 0.84
150 Series Total 171,964 10.57

210 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2102 2dr sedan 206,434 12.69
2103 4dr sedan 298,935 18.38
2109 4dr Townsman station wagon 114,646 7.05
2113 4dr Beauville station wagon 21,131 1.30
2119 4dr Beauville station wagon 19,394 1.19
2124 2dr Delray club coupe 56,882 3.50
2129 2dr Handyman station wagon 22,381 1.38
2154 2dr hardtop sport coupe 19,079 1.17
210 Series Total 758,882 46.65

BelAir Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2402 2dr sedan 105,098 6.46
2403 4dr sedan 282,476 17.36
2413 4dr hardtop sport sedan 109,261 6.71
2419 4dr Beauville station wagon 14,931 0.92
2429 2dr Nomad station wagon 8,103 0.50
2434 2dr convertible 41,883 2.57
2454 2dr hardtop sport coupe 130,778 8.04
BelAir Series Total 692,530 42.57

Corvette
2934 2dr convertible 3,467 0.21

** 1956 Grand Total 1,626,843 100.00

1957 Chevrolet Production Model Numbers

Built Percentage of Total

150 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
1502 2dr sedan 71,135 4.55
1503 4dr sedan 56,418 3.61
1508 2dr sedan delivery 8,907 0.57
1512 2dr utililty sedan 8,817 0.56
1529 2dr Handyman station wagon 15,087 0.97
150 Series Total 160,364 10.26

210 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2102 2dr sedan 162,851 10.43
2103 4dr sedan 273,696 17.53
2109 4dr Townsman station wagon 128,941 8.26
2113 4dr hardtop sport sedan 18,206 1.16
2119 4dr Beauville station wagon 23,952 1.53
2124 2dr Delray club coupe 25,952 1.66
2129 2dr Handyman station wagon 17,996 1.15
2154 2dr hardtop sport coupe sedan 23,092 1.48
210 Series Total 674,596 43.20

BelAir Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2402 2dr sedan 62,942 4.03
2403 4dr sedan 264,449 16.93
2409 4dr Beauville station wagon 27,822 1.78
2413 4dr hardtop sport coupe 142,518 9.13
2429 2dr Nomad station wagon 6,264 0.40
2434 2dr convertible 48,068 3.08
2454 2dr hardtop sport coupe 168,293 10.78
BelAir Series Total 720,356 46.13

Corvette
2934 2dr convertible 6,339 0.41

** 1957 Grand Total 1,561,655 100.00

Reference: Motorbooks International,
Tri-Chevy Red Book by Peter C. Sessler
Marvin's Homepage

[Troy]

Hey All,

I've wondered about this stuff for ever and have never done any research. My '55 is a Belair Sport Coupe, it came with a 6 cyl and a powerglide. My question is mine didn't come with the trim along the bottom of the rockers, it did come with the side bumper guards. Were these things that were ordered or deleted by the car owner?

[BamaNomad]

I'm 99% certain that both the rocker mouldings and the accessory bumper guards were *options* available on any Chevy... or not..

[BamaNomad]

Welcome to the site Keith. Ask all the questions you want and someone will answer them.

I assume you've learned enough about these cars to know that the 150/210/BelAir are trim levels, not body types (except in the case of the Nomad). I've seen some guys call a hardtop a "BelAir" but hardtops were also available in the 210 level. The "150" was the lowest level with the least amount of trim and the BelAir was the highest level with all the chrome and stainless they could put on them.

As far as models, there are the sedans that were available in 2-door or 4-door. These cars are also often called "posts" because they have frames around the windows and vertical posts between windows. All were available in 150, 210, or BelAir trim.

Next is the hardtops, sometimes called "coupes", which were available again in 2-door and 4-door. There was no 4-door HT in 55 though. These cars don't have frames around the side windows and no post when the windows are rolled down. HTs were not available in 150 trim, only in 210 and BelAir trim.

The convertibles were only available in BelAir trim in all 3 years.

Next is the wagons. Wagons were also available in 2-door and 4-door models. The 2-door wagons were available in 150, 210 and BelAir trim with the BelAir being the Nomad with the unique roof, b-pillar, side windows, and tailgate/liftgate. There was no other 2-door BelAir wagon except the Nomad. The 4-door wagons were only available in 210 and BelAir trim.

Finally there's the sedan deliveries which were basically 2-door wagons with rear side windows that were eliminated and had a 1-piece liftgate in the rear. They were only available in 150 trim. Some rare sedan deliveries had side windows and 1-piece liftgates.

I think that's a correct summary of models and trims but there may be some other rare combos that I don't know about. Here's a table of them with production numbers:


1955 Chevrolet Production Model Numbers

Built Percentage of Total

150 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
1502 2dr sedan 66,833 3.76
1503 4dr sedan 34,906 1.96
1508 2dr sedan delivery 10,639 0.60
1512 2dr utility sedan 12,139 0.68
1529 2dr Handyman station wagon 18,496 1.04
150 Series Total 143,013 8.04

210 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2102 2dr sedan 250,000 14.07
2103 4dr sedan 340,222 19.15
2109 4dr Townsman station wagon 84,239 4.74
2124 2dr Delray club coupe 116,406 6.55
2129 2dr Handyman station wagon 29,419 1.66
2154 2dr hardtop sport coupe 11,685 0.66
210 Series Total 831,971 46.83

BelAir Series, 6cyl & 8cyl
2402 2dr sedan 168,826 9.50
2403 4dr sedan 366,293 20.63
2409 4dr Beauville station wagon 25,772 1.45
2429 2dr Nomad station wagon 25,772 1.45
2434 2dr Convertible 42,278 2.38
2454 2dr hardtop sport coupe 189,269 10.65
BelAir Series Total 800,968 45.09

Corvette
2934 2dr convertible 700 0.04

** 1955 Grand Total 1,776,652 100.00

1956 Chevrolet Production Model Numbers

Built Percentage of Total

150 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
1502 2dr sedan 82,735 5.09
1503 4dr sedan 55,333 3.40
1508 2dr sedan delivery 9,445 0.58
1512 2dr utility sedan 10,712 0.66
1529 2dr handyman station wagon 13,739 0.84
150 Series Total 171,964 10.57

210 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2102 2dr sedan 206,434 12.69
2103 4dr sedan 298,935 18.38
2109 4dr Townsman station wagon 114,646 7.05
2113 4dr Beauville station wagon 21,131 1.30
2119 4dr Beauville station wagon 19,394 1.19
2124 2dr Delray club coupe 56,882 3.50
2129 2dr Handyman station wagon 22,381 1.38
2154 2dr hardtop sport coupe 19,079 1.17
210 Series Total 758,882 46.65

BelAir Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2402 2dr sedan 105,098 6.46
2403 4dr sedan 282,476 17.36
2413 4dr hardtop sport sedan 109,261 6.71
2419 4dr Beauville station wagon 14,931 0.92
2429 2dr Nomad station wagon 8,103 0.50
2434 2dr convertible 41,883 2.57
2454 2dr hardtop sport coupe 130,778 8.04
BelAir Series Total 692,530 42.57

Corvette
2934 2dr convertible 3,467 0.21

** 1956 Grand Total 1,626,843 100.00

1957 Chevrolet Production Model Numbers

Built Percentage of Total

150 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
1502 2dr sedan 71,135 4.55
1503 4dr sedan 56,418 3.61
1508 2dr sedan delivery 8,907 0.57
1512 2dr utililty sedan 8,817 0.56
1529 2dr Handyman station wagon 15,087 0.97
150 Series Total 160,364 10.26

210 Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2102 2dr sedan 162,851 10.43
2103 4dr sedan 273,696 17.53
2109 4dr Townsman station wagon 128,941 8.26
2113 4dr hardtop sport sedan 18,206 1.16
2119 4dr Beauville station wagon 23,952 1.53
2124 2dr Delray club coupe 25,952 1.66
2129 2dr Handyman station wagon 17,996 1.15
2154 2dr hardtop sport coupe sedan 23,092 1.48
210 Series Total 674,596 43.20

BelAir Series, 6cyl & 8 Cyl
2402 2dr sedan 62,942 4.03
2403 4dr sedan 264,449 16.93
2409 4dr Beauville station wagon 27,822 1.78
2413 4dr hardtop sport coupe 142,518 9.13
2429 2dr Nomad station wagon 6,264 0.40
2434 2dr convertible 48,068 3.08
2454 2dr hardtop sport coupe 168,293 10.78
BelAir Series Total 720,356 46.13

Corvette
2934 2dr convertible 6,339 0.41

** 1957 Grand Total 1,561,655 100.00

Reference: Motorbooks International,
Tri-Chevy Red Book by Peter C. Sessler
Marvin's Homepage

Nice Summary CN...

If this site has 'stickys', this would be a good one...

[Flynman]

Thank you for the Replies!! Thanks Chevynut I knew body styles but did not know that it was trim that set them apart. I am going to look at a 56 210 this week. Body and Paint look real nice and clean. Has an LS1 motor with 6 speed manual transmission, rear is stock i think. Interior looks really good and has AC. Not sure how the undercarriage looks but it may need a little work. If i get it for the right price maybe i can get a new rolling chasis. How difficult is a frame swap?

Thanks,
Keith R

[chevynut]

A frame swap is not "difficult" but there are always little things that need to be done to complete it. If you have a running car I'd drive it a while and see what you think before taking on any big projects to change anything. I don't know what modifications the 56 you're looking at already has to the suspension but there are some bolt-on improvements that can be made to upgrade the stock suspension. The caution is that many guys have tried the bolt-on upgrade route and have not been happy with the results after spending thousands of dollars on them. It all depends on what you expect the car to drive like. Some guys like the feel of an old car.....I don't.

[NickP]

Welcome to the site

[567chevys]

Nice Summary CN...

If this site has 'stickys', this would be a good one...

Done !

Sid

[carls 56 (RIP 11/24/2021)]

hi Keith and welcome. good to have you here.

[WagonCrazy]

Welcome Keith. Your journey starts....

[Belair-o]

Hi Keith!
Welcome to the group! Wish you the best of luck in choosing and buying your trifive.
Regards, Doug

[enigma57]

Welcome aboard, Keith! Please keep us informed as to how your search goes.

Happy Motoring,

Harry

[Tarheel Tornado]

Hi Keith,
I am new as well. Good luck on your project.

[GMPARTSGOD]

rocker moldings and gravel guards were accessories.Also the wrap around bumper guards.