The wings on the vent windows are called "breezes " sold at stores like, but not limited pep boys. When driving and the windows are open it would deflect the wind down to your feet. Remember air conditioning was rare, and it gets hot in the summer
Thank you so much for that information cool vent + vent windows don’t really need ac (at least in a truck that’s the case haven’t driven a car on a hot day far enough to tell if it’s the same case it works in the truck because cab is smaller and air circulates better)
. . . when I was a kid, my dentist drove a 2 door 54 Chevy, which he had had for about thirteen years . . in those days, a car's road life was usually about 5 years, so this beauty had lasted . . . he also owned a bright red 67 Buick loaded which he almost never used because he loved his old Chevy so much . . . I was lucky enough to ride in it a few times, and the Chevy was very comfortable, and warm in the Winter . . . he said it got good mileage with the 6 under the hood . . . good memories! . . .
Awesome sorry thank you so much for sharing that on here =) The thing I like the most about old cars is when they break one is able to fix it affordably for the most part engines don’t cost $8000 now if you’re going to buy a blue print crate engine that’s a different story, case and point Chrysler 3.6 L they have a head cracking problem according to car wizard not throwing him under the bus just stating where I learned this info from. Chrysler never fix the problem it’s a V-6 engine it’s found in the Jeep gladiator I think maybe the charger might have it, Jeep products anyway the engine is prone to heads cracking and when that problem occurs $7-8k for a new engine. Because apparently you can’t just buy the heads which is a colossal rip off when you consider it’s not made of quality materials. I honestly think the reason they do it is to fold. They make cars to be like appliances not cheap like appliances but the build quality like a throwaway car. When they break they become too expensive to fix car companies know this so they can take your car on trade for next to nothing because it’s not worth anything if it doesn’t move under it’s own power. So the car companies could get that car for next to nothing fix it at cost and make a profit selling it to the next guy. Whereas the old cars were machines they were meant to break and you could fix them on the cheap. EVERYTHING is back wards now. One more example I have a 52 Chevy truck it’s a very first episode on this channel it had a 327 V-8 in it when I bought it not the original engine to 327 went I bought a 350 V-8 for $400, is it a museum piece no the 327 was dressed up way better than this one is but it gets me to where I need to go I have plenty of passing power.. and gets decent gas mileage all things considered =) I bought one new car in my lifetime and it was a colossal mistake I didn’t put any money down I bought a 2014 Hyundai veloster R spec turbo I love the car I got in a lot of trouble with it I got three speeding tickets in the car and then I got in three different accidents the only one that was my fault was I hit a deer I was going to but I will go really fast and I thought slammed on brakes but I still had it I didn’t get hurt or anything the other two times somebody was eating a cheeseburger and instead of hitting the brakes and hit the gas and rear ended me again cause any damage the other time we were looking at a Mazda the tractor trailer hauling the car is backed into it.. New cars are great until the new smell is gone and then you’re stuck with a payment once the payments are done cars not worth anything generally and sometimes I don’t even last until the last payment made but once the warranty is gone they usually start breaking after that.. honestly it depends on what you get I’ve had great experiences with Hyundai I’ve had great experiences with Honda I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey van that has 251,000 miles on it.. I plan on running that car until it doesn’t go anymore, and then when it does die I’m gonna replace it with another 2001 Honda Odyssey minivan because Hondas run forever I heard Toyotas run just as long as they don’t get nearly as good of gas mileage.
If I’m not mistaken I think 1954 was the last time Chevy had a 6 volt electric system. 1955 they went to 12 volt. 1954 was also the last year for Pontiac to have a 6 volt system. It was when they were first offering accessories like power windows, power seats, etc. Before that Chevy was equipped with a 6 volt electric system that would’ve not supported very many power accessories.
@@What.its.like. I looked it up and 1955 was the first year for a 12 volt electric system on Chevrolet. And Pontiac also. The more expensive GM cars (Olds Buick and Cadillac) switched to 12 volt systems in 1953-54.
Thanks for this. My first car was a '54 Two-Ten four door sedan. I miss that car! Very smooth ride, and the 235's 115hp (mine was three on the tree) was surprisingly peppy. Everything mechanical was super easy to access and service; I learned how to change plugs/oil/brake shoes with ease, and wound up replacing the fuel pump, carburetor and generator. It was great for drive-in movies; you slid the bench seat all the way back and had space for a small "TV tray" table to hold snacks just like you were in your living room! Bonus Fun fact: I played in bands back then and a Marshall 4x12 slant cab slid perfectly into the trunk alongside the vertically mounted spare tire.
Thank you so much for watching glad you dig this episode thank you so much for sharing all of the stories and memories it sounds like you really like that car =) They just don’t make them like that anymore in the really sad part about it is most people my age could care less about them but they were more of an automobile than what we have now
@What.its.like. For full disclosure, I was 17 and nearly penniless, so I was hunting for an "old" and cheap used car as I graduated HS. That was in '82, so "old" and affordable to me likely meant a car from the mid-late 60s. I saw that '54 on someone's lawn with a For Sale sign, and simply made a joke about buying it at first. It looked more rust than metal, the paint was all gone, the seats were frayed cloth and exposed springs and the odometer said 10,000 miles...which could have meant 110k - or maybe 210k? But I couldn't get it out of my head, went back, test drove it and fell in love. The first order of business was a new battery - Sears only sold one six-volt back then. Ultimately I sold it bc the generator kept frying. The car was all stock but someone had replaced the regulator with a shiny new one, and while I was too inexperienced then to know it, I'm now convinced it was a 12-volt regulator that had been the start of an abandoned electrical conversion. If I'd had more money and knowledge I would have fixed that and never sold that car. I did indeed love it, as you said, and 40 years later, I still have occasional dreams that I am reunited with it! I can still hear the sound of the engine, tranny and horn as I go happily down the road with that big captain's wheel (no power steering, of course) building my biceps back up!
When I was getting into cars, I found a diecast '54 Bel Air in tan with the white top. Since then, I've always had a love for these models. It's hard to argue that the '55 restyles wasn't a huge step up in style (and certainly in performance), but honestly I like the 53 and 54s more than the wonderful tri-fives. The 58 Impala is my favorite 50s Chevy, and the 53-54 is close second.
My favorite car well before I knew about cars was 57 Chevy. Now no so much Top three cars of money was no object to me 1926 Bugatti type 35 (and I’d drive it as much as possible, I’d take either Bugatti or Alfa as pur sang replicas because I would drive them) 1936-1942 senior Packard including but not limited to packard twin 6 1957 studebaker golden hawk 1959 amc rambler ambassador wagon (no center pillars)
ALL the 50's cars were GREAT! As van OLD man (66...GOD!) I HONESTLY MISS REAL AMERICA! The cars ('50'ws-60's) WERE THE BEST EVER! Diecasts are GREAT TRIBUTES to this era!
That "Safety Plate glass was actually laminated glass, not tempered that came later. Interesting - In 1925, the dimmer switch was located on the steering column. This changed in 1927, when it was moved to the floor. Car owners would enjoy the floor-mounted switch for the next 50 years. or 1977 on some models and makes. The change to column mounted begain in the mid/late 70's. I still wish it was on the floor. Another interesting fact: The 235 first arrived in 1941, used in heavy duty GM trucks then flowed down to cars over the years and continued on until the 250 six came out. Nice review!
Yeah I should have added that We reviewed a lot of chevys on this channel trying not to say same things over and over again, but I should have put that in there When Chevy went to 12 V video about that I’m pretty sure by 1957 all American cars were 12v but don’t quote me.. there were definitely Some weird systems out there 6v positive ground 24v on some really heavy duty trucks
my very first registered car was a two tone red and white two door chevy called a club coupe. it had a post and was not a hardtop and also had a 3 speed manual transmission. i bought it in 1966 when i was 16 yrs old. my brother had a green 1953 chevy also and my dad had a 1954 when i was younger. i remember the little air deflectors on the vent window but mine did not have them, sometimes they were made of a clear colored plastic like green or amber colored. thnx for showing us the car.
I love cars from the fifties & this Chevy Bel Air has been meticulously restored!!!! It's gorgeous inside & out. Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍
I seriously thought it was a 53 when I was shooting it that’s why I said in the video it was a 54? Lol but I guess there isn’t much differences in the 53 to 54
My Father purchased a 1953 Bel Aire, 2 tone green Sports Coupe. I can remember me and my brother would have pillows laying on the floor between the front and back seats. They were there because we would take turns laying on the rear ledge and when the car stopped, we would roll off onto the seat and then the floor. I also say in my Fathers lap and steered the car as we drove down the street.. All the stuff that people frown on today. I still too this day have the tool pouch and tools (plyers, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench and rubber mallet) that came with the car. As for the "thingies" on the vent windows, my first car, 1964 Chevy Impala, had thes on iy. Even though it had A/C, you could open the vent window and the incoming rush of air was deflected downward to circulate aid inside the car better. Remember them fondly.
Awesome memories thank you for sharing =) We used the hide under the cars when we was kids playing hide and seek, crazy hiding spots to be a kid again and not have to worry about things that was freedom..
The deflector was to keep the cherry from the cigarette/cigar from blowing back into the car when you flick the ash out of the vent window. my father had one on his Kenworth W900 truck
Dimmer switch on steering column simplified wiring harness install on assembly line, allowed wire to follow same path as wire to horn and turn signals. Also, eliminating hole in floor for switch eliminated a noise path there, ended some minor floor corrosion/moisture issues, and took out steps in the steel stamping process to make the opening and strengthening around it. As later compact cars got smaller and narrower, it also became a problem with space for driver's left foot if the switch had remained on the floor.
I would LOVE to have a 54 Bel-Air sport coupe for my daily driver. But, I 'd have to have the 125 horse 235 engine with a 3 speed manual transmission. Thanks for all the great videos!
Ampeture gauge! That's pretty creative - usually it's an ammeter. And yep, you're right that it was the first year of not being able to buy a Chev motor with splash lubrication and babbit bearings. On the floor dipswitch, it's fine for automatics and lousy for manuals (I know - I own such a car.) But a chunky switch was needed to switch the high current involved. Electrical systems became cleverer and the makers learned the ways to switch lots of current without much effort from the user, i.e. a flick of a stalk. Question for anyone who knows - did the 125hp motor get the extra horses from carburetion, compression, camshaft, or all 3?
I’m not sure it sounds like a automatic power glide selling point... I thought they added another carb but according to the specs same carb same everything maybe they advanced timing some
@@What.its.like. Most likely compression, via piston shape, and just maybe camshaft. I actually once owned a 54 Belair with Powerglide and it was slow alright. But a few years of development of both engines and Powerglide did wonders. I later had a 60 Belair and really enjoyed the 283/Powerglide combination.
The reason manufacturers went to a steering column hi-lo beam stalk was because the floor switch would accumulate snow and ice in the winter and become inoperative. I've experienced this myself. The last car I owned with the floor dimmer switch was my 1968 Ford Ranchero. My 1973 VW Super Beetle, as well as every car after that, all had steering column stalks.
I would like to add that the 54 bel air is considered the last year of the “bomb” & ‘55 is the first year of the “muscle”. The only other classic that beats a 54 in a car shows is a ‘57 bel air. Me and my dad always got second place but it’s never about that. Oldies are my life.
Brother had a '54 in royal blue. Those Chevys through '54 had an driveshaft enclosed within a pipe that ran from the transmission to the differential. Another feature discontinued after '54 was kingpins in the front suspension. In '55 they went to A-frame/coil spring suspension.
'54 BelAir (only) and Corvette was first Chevy to get full oil pump pressurized engine lubrication... other models and earlier years had oil dipper bottom end and pumped to only top end...
Thanks for bringing a pre-tri-five Chevrolet to out attention. Both Chevrolet and Ford were attractive this year and a lot of others. But this and the '53 always seems to slip through the cracks. Thank you. Hope you are able to continue with the enthusiasm that you have now...seems like you can.
As far as I can find out 1967 was the last time Chevy had the dimmer switch on the floor. I had a 1970 Chevy and that dimmer switch was integrated with the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering column.
I think that is a little early. The 1977 mentioned be another commenter seems more likely. I know I owned '68, '69, '70, '73 and '74 GM products as well as driving others and they all had the dimmer on the floor.
I believe the last year for the dimmer switch being on the left side of the floorboard was 1977. Beginning in 1978, the dimmer switch was part of the turning signal lever on the left side of the steering wheel. The rear view mirror should be mounted at the top of the windshield and not on the dashboard. My mother use to have a 1953 Chevrolet 4Dr Tin Woodie Wagon. They called them "Tin Woodie" because instead of the trim being made of wood, it was actually made of tin that looked like wood. The 1953 and 1954 Chevrolets were basically the same car as far as styling was concerned. The difference between the two was the grill and parking lights and the tail lights. The rest of the car was the same. The interior dash on both were the same and the automatic gear shift was the same. The 1953 that my mother had had the two speed automatic transmission. That was actually the first wagon she ever had and from there, we had a 1955, 1958, 1969 Plymouth Suburban Tin Woodie and a 1974 Chevrolet Malibu Tin Woodie. After that she went with all 4Dr sedans.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing all of that information and insight I think the dimmer switch was after 78 because we had a 1989 fan that had the high beam dimmer switch on the floor still that was a 1989 Ford Econoline van.. but I’ve never been in a 90 Econoline van I don’t even know if they made Econoline vans in 1990 they made a change the name or something I had an 88 Lincoln town car where the high beam dimmer switch was on the column.. I would like the cars with the dimmer switch on the floor and I like it better there because it’s a lot cheaper to replace if it goes bad. I had a GM car from the 90s that if the dimmer switch went bad you had to replace the whole steering wheel column..
@@What.its.like. - With the GM products, I believe 1977 was the last year for the dimmer switch on the floor because I had a 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix and that was the first year for the dimmer switch on the column. That switch would burn out every six months or so because it was made of plastic and that happened if you drove with the high beams on for a long period of time, it would burn out the switch, so I had my mechanic install it on the floor where the switch had been since its inception. Maybe other car makers didn't change their system until later years, but GM did it in 1978.
I have owned/driven a few '54 Chevys over the years...and, while I love the styling of the 55-57 Chevys....(especially so, the '56)....I like the look/feel of the '54 interior more-so than the tri-5's. The '53/54 interior has a special charm, and warmth, to it.
1957 Chevy was the car that got me into classic cars (I graduated in 2007 my grandpa in 57 he was my best friend taught me a lot) but there is so many more cool cars out there 57 chevys are still cool just everyone has one.
They sure had a great choice of models in 54; they sure went downhill over the years to just an Impala 4 door in recent years, That is a wind deflector in the vent window.
My dad’s stepfather had a 54 Chevy. I don’t know which model (I was probably 5 or 6 at the time). What I can recall is that it seemed very tall and the color was sort of bamboo color and medium dark green roof. I appreciate that you can find brochure info.
I love all the advertisements of the 50s era I love how colorful they are I guess to be fair there like that until The mid 60s for some reason it goes dark and grainy especially the GM ads
@@What.its.like. , I think you’re right. The 50’s had brighter, more colorful ads. I think when President Kennedy was killed it affected this country in many, many ways.
They stopped putting the high beam foot switch on the floor because many people got it confused with the clutch and or brake peddle in both manual and automatic versions ? This was a problem because that moment of confusion could cause a serious accident?! I had an old Hillman Superminx here in the UK and nearly crashed that car 3 times because of that thing in the floor well? For me personally it was really dangerous?!
The 1949-1954 Chevies are so boring looking compared to the 1955+ Chevies, but i still like them! You did a great review. You should do a 1952 because they are somewhat forgotten.
A VERY nice car to ride in (i was 12 yo!) but the WORST 'chrome" plating " on EARTH and a motor with suc/h POOR valve guides that it would KILL ALL MOSQUITOS (MANY IN DULUTH< MINN.!) JUST IDLING!
@@What.its.like. Agree! The rest of the '53 Chevy BelAir was pretty good! It had AN AWFUL factory stick-shift linkage and CHEAP "chrome" on the .grille and bumpers! It ran well, after you hit 3rd gear, though!
I need to drive one and see jk sold all his early 50s chevys he has one left it needs an interior it’s a convertible I’ll hit it when it’s ready =) it has a v8 in it I think it was transplanted in there I’ll have to get the full story. I daily drive a 52 Chevy 1 ton stock chassis and suspension different drive train. I love that truck =)
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The wings on the vent windows are called "breezes " sold at stores like, but not limited pep boys. When driving and the windows are open it would deflect the wind down to your feet. Remember air conditioning was rare, and it gets hot in the summer
Thank you so much for that information cool vent + vent windows don’t really need ac (at least in a truck that’s the case haven’t driven a car on a hot day far enough to tell if it’s the same case it works in the truck because cab is smaller and air circulates better)
. . . when I was a kid, my dentist drove a 2 door 54 Chevy, which he had had for about thirteen years . . in those days, a car's road life was usually about 5 years, so this beauty had lasted . . . he also owned a bright red 67 Buick loaded which he almost never used because he loved his old Chevy so much . . . I was lucky enough to ride in it a few times, and the Chevy was very comfortable, and warm in the Winter . . . he said it got good mileage with the 6 under the hood . . . good memories! . . .
Awesome sorry thank you so much for sharing that on here =)
The thing I like the most about old cars is when they break one is able to fix it affordably for the most part engines don’t cost $8000 now if you’re going to buy a blue print crate engine that’s a different story, case and point Chrysler 3.6 L they have a head cracking problem according to car wizard not throwing him under the bus just stating where I learned this info from. Chrysler never fix the problem it’s a V-6 engine it’s found in the Jeep gladiator I think maybe the charger might have it, Jeep products anyway the engine is prone to heads cracking and when that problem occurs $7-8k for a new engine. Because apparently you can’t just buy the heads which is a colossal rip off when you consider it’s not made of quality materials. I honestly think the reason they do it is to fold. They make cars to be like appliances not cheap like appliances but the build quality like a throwaway car. When they break they become too expensive to fix car companies know this so they can take your car on trade for next to nothing because it’s not worth anything if it doesn’t move under it’s own power. So the car companies could get that car for next to nothing fix it at cost and make a profit selling it to the next guy. Whereas the old cars were machines they were meant to break and you could fix them on the cheap. EVERYTHING is back wards now. One more example I have a 52 Chevy truck it’s a very first episode on this channel it had a 327 V-8 in it when I bought it not the original engine to 327 went I bought a 350 V-8 for $400, is it a museum piece no the 327 was dressed up way better than this one is but it gets me to where I need to go I have plenty of passing power.. and gets decent gas mileage all things considered =) I bought one new car in my lifetime and it was a colossal mistake I didn’t put any money down I bought a 2014 Hyundai veloster R spec turbo I love the car I got in a lot of trouble with it I got three speeding tickets in the car and then I got in three different accidents the only one that was my fault was I hit a deer I was going to but I will go really fast and I thought slammed on brakes but I still had it I didn’t get hurt or anything the other two times somebody was eating a cheeseburger and instead of hitting the brakes and hit the gas and rear ended me again cause any damage the other time we were looking at a Mazda the tractor trailer hauling the car is backed into it.. New cars are great until the new smell is gone and then you’re stuck with a payment once the payments are done cars not worth anything generally and sometimes I don’t even last until the last payment made but once the warranty is gone they usually start breaking after that.. honestly it depends on what you get I’ve had great experiences with Hyundai I’ve had great experiences with Honda I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey van that has 251,000 miles on it.. I plan on running that car until it doesn’t go anymore, and then when it does die I’m gonna replace it with another 2001 Honda Odyssey minivan because Hondas run forever I heard Toyotas run just as long as they don’t get nearly as good of gas mileage.
If I’m not mistaken I think 1954 was the last time Chevy had a 6 volt electric system. 1955 they went to 12 volt. 1954 was also the last year for Pontiac to have a 6 volt system. It was when they were first offering accessories like power windows, power seats, etc. Before that Chevy was equipped with a 6 volt electric system that would’ve not supported very many power accessories.
I’m not sure when Chevy went 12v maybe it was in 55
@@What.its.like. I looked it up and 1955 was the first year for a 12 volt electric system on Chevrolet. And Pontiac also. The more expensive GM cars (Olds Buick and Cadillac) switched to 12 volt systems in 1953-54.
Thanks for this. My first car was a '54 Two-Ten four door sedan. I miss that car! Very smooth ride, and the 235's 115hp (mine was three on the tree) was surprisingly peppy. Everything mechanical was super easy to access and service; I learned how to change plugs/oil/brake shoes with ease, and wound up replacing the fuel pump, carburetor and generator. It was great for drive-in movies; you slid the bench seat all the way back and had space for a small "TV tray" table to hold snacks just like you were in your living room! Bonus Fun fact: I played in bands back then and a Marshall 4x12 slant cab slid perfectly into the trunk alongside the vertically mounted spare tire.
Thank you so much for watching glad you dig this episode thank you so much for sharing all of the stories and memories it sounds like you really like that car =)
They just don’t make them like that anymore in the really sad part about it is most people my age could care less about them but they were more of an automobile than what we have now
@What.its.like. For full disclosure, I was 17 and nearly penniless, so I was hunting for an "old" and cheap used car as I graduated HS. That was in '82, so "old" and affordable to me likely meant a car from the mid-late 60s. I saw that '54 on someone's lawn with a For Sale sign, and simply made a joke about buying it at first. It looked more rust than metal, the paint was all gone, the seats were frayed cloth and exposed springs and the odometer said 10,000 miles...which could have meant 110k - or maybe 210k? But I couldn't get it out of my head, went back, test drove it and fell in love. The first order of business was a new battery - Sears only sold one six-volt back then. Ultimately I sold it bc the generator kept frying. The car was all stock but someone had replaced the regulator with a shiny new one, and while I was too inexperienced then to know it, I'm now convinced it was a 12-volt regulator that had been the start of an abandoned electrical conversion. If I'd had more money and knowledge I would have fixed that and never sold that car. I did indeed love it, as you said, and 40 years later, I still have occasional dreams that I am reunited with it! I can still hear the sound of the engine, tranny and horn as I go happily down the road with that big captain's wheel (no power steering, of course) building my biceps back up!
When I was getting into cars, I found a diecast '54 Bel Air in tan with the white top. Since then, I've always had a love for these models. It's hard to argue that the '55 restyles wasn't a huge step up in style (and certainly in performance), but honestly I like the 53 and 54s more than the wonderful tri-fives. The 58 Impala is my favorite 50s Chevy, and the 53-54 is close second.
My favorite car well before I knew about cars was 57 Chevy. Now no so much
Top three cars of money was no object to me
1926 Bugatti type 35 (and I’d drive it as much as possible, I’d take either Bugatti or Alfa as pur sang replicas because I would drive them)
1936-1942 senior Packard including but not limited to packard twin 6
1957 studebaker golden hawk
1959 amc rambler ambassador wagon (no center pillars)
Agreed the 58 was nicer looking than even the Caddy that year
ALL the 50's cars were GREAT! As van OLD man (66...GOD!) I HONESTLY MISS REAL AMERICA! The cars ('50'ws-60's) WERE THE BEST EVER! Diecasts are GREAT TRIBUTES to this era!
That "Safety Plate glass was actually laminated glass, not tempered that came later. Interesting - In 1925, the dimmer switch was located on the steering column. This changed in 1927, when it was moved to the floor. Car owners would enjoy the floor-mounted switch for the next 50 years. or 1977 on some models and makes. The change to column mounted begain in the mid/late 70's. I still wish it was on the floor. Another interesting fact: The 235 first arrived in 1941, used in heavy duty GM trucks then flowed down to cars over the years and continued on until the 250 six came out. Nice review!
Yeah I should have added that We reviewed a lot of chevys on this channel trying not to say same things over and over again, but I should have put that in there When Chevy went to 12 V video about that I’m pretty sure by 1957 all American cars were 12v but don’t quote me.. there were definitely Some weird systems out there 6v positive ground 24v on some really heavy duty trucks
Tinted glass will actually keep the interior cooler. Air conditioning without tinted really did not work very well
Good to know
my very first registered car was a two tone red and white two door chevy called a club coupe. it had a post and was not a hardtop and also had a 3 speed manual transmission. i bought it in 1966 when i was 16 yrs old. my brother had a green 1953 chevy also and my dad had a 1954 when i was younger. i remember the little air deflectors on the vent window but mine did not have them, sometimes they were made of a clear colored plastic like green or amber colored. thnx for showing us the car.
I love cars from the fifties & this Chevy Bel Air has been meticulously restored!!!! It's gorgeous inside & out. Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍
I seriously thought it was a 53 when I was shooting it that’s why I said in the video it was a 54? Lol but I guess there isn’t much differences in the 53 to 54
My Father purchased a 1953 Bel Aire, 2 tone green Sports Coupe. I can remember me and my brother would have pillows laying on the floor between the front and back seats. They were there because we would take turns laying on the rear ledge and when the car stopped, we would roll off onto the seat and then the floor. I also say in my Fathers lap and steered the car as we drove down the street.. All the stuff that people frown on today. I still too this day have the tool pouch and tools (plyers, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench and rubber mallet) that came with the car. As for the "thingies" on the vent windows, my first car, 1964 Chevy Impala, had thes on iy. Even though it had A/C, you could open the vent window and the incoming rush of air was deflected downward to circulate aid inside the car better. Remember them fondly.
Awesome memories thank you for sharing =)
We used the hide under the cars when we was kids playing hide and seek, crazy hiding spots to be a kid again and not have to worry about things that was freedom..
The deflector was to keep the cherry from the cigarette/cigar from blowing back into the car when you flick the ash out of the vent window. my father had one on his Kenworth W900 truck
Awesome thank you so much for adding that information =)
Dimmer switch on steering column simplified wiring harness install on assembly line, allowed wire to follow same path as wire to horn and turn signals. Also, eliminating hole in floor for switch eliminated a noise path there, ended some minor floor corrosion/moisture issues, and took out steps in the steel stamping process to make the opening and strengthening around it. As later compact cars got smaller and narrower, it also became a problem with space for driver's left foot if the switch had remained on the floor.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing =)
I would LOVE to have a 54 Bel-Air sport coupe for my daily driver. But, I 'd have to have the 125 horse 235 engine with a 3 speed manual transmission. Thanks for all the great videos!
Thank you for digging the content =)
Ampeture gauge! That's pretty creative - usually it's an ammeter. And yep, you're right that it was the first year of not being able to buy a Chev motor with splash lubrication and babbit bearings. On the floor dipswitch, it's fine for automatics and lousy for manuals (I know - I own such a car.) But a chunky switch was needed to switch the high current involved. Electrical systems became cleverer and the makers learned the ways to switch lots of current without much effort from the user, i.e. a flick of a stalk. Question for anyone who knows - did the 125hp motor get the extra horses from carburetion, compression, camshaft, or all 3?
I’m not sure it sounds like a automatic power glide selling point... I thought they added another carb but according to the specs same carb same everything maybe they advanced timing some
@@What.its.like. Most likely compression, via piston shape, and just maybe camshaft. I actually once owned a 54 Belair with Powerglide and it was slow alright. But a few years of development of both engines and Powerglide did wonders. I later had a 60 Belair and really enjoyed the 283/Powerglide combination.
The reason manufacturers went to a steering column hi-lo beam stalk was because the floor switch would accumulate snow and ice in the winter and become inoperative. I've experienced this myself. The last car I owned with the floor dimmer switch was my 1968 Ford Ranchero. My 1973 VW Super Beetle, as well as every car after that, all had steering column stalks.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing
I would like to add that the 54 bel air is considered the last year of the “bomb” & ‘55 is the first year of the “muscle”. The only other classic that beats a 54 in a car shows is a ‘57 bel air. Me and my dad always got second place but it’s never about that. Oldies are my life.
Thank you so much for adding that information =)
The speedometer, looks identical to a 1958 FC Holden from Australia.
I think holden is a GM subsidiary (GM owns holden not sure if they still do but they did). But that’s crazy they used the same speedometer
Brother had a '54 in royal blue. Those Chevys through '54 had an driveshaft enclosed within a pipe that ran from the transmission to the differential. Another feature discontinued after '54 was kingpins in the front suspension. In '55 they went to A-frame/coil spring suspension.
Torque tube I think is what it was called
i remember the driveshaft called a torque tube and the kingpins.
My grandfather's last car was a turquoise sport coupe with the three-on-the-tree.
Grandma wouldn't let him sell it to me when he quit driving.
Love the work man. Think you might be able to find and do a story on a '54 Mercury Sun Valley? One of my all time favorites.
Thank you so much for the positive vibes yeah I’ll look for a 54 mercury sun valley =)
'54 BelAir (only) and Corvette was first Chevy to get full oil pump pressurized engine lubrication... other models and earlier years had oil dipper bottom end and pumped to only top end...
Even the 235 in the heavy duty fleet master series 1.5 ton 2 ton trucks
Hey! I want one! That has to be the sweetest Chevy ever. Great episode.
Thank you glad you dig this episode
Great video. It's interesting how the '53-54 Bel Air coupe 'C' pillar and rear window came back again on the '58 Impala.
The instruments are identical to the 1953 Chevy.
And the speedometer found it's way onto the Australian FE Holden for 1956.
Thanks for bringing a pre-tri-five Chevrolet to out attention. Both Chevrolet and Ford were attractive this year and a lot of others. But this and the '53 always seems to slip through the cracks. Thank you. Hope you are able to continue with the enthusiasm that you have now...seems like you can.
I’ve always loved classic and vintage cars I’ll always be enthusiastic =)
As far as I can find out 1967 was the last time Chevy had the dimmer switch on the floor. I had a 1970 Chevy and that dimmer switch was integrated with the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering column.
I think that is a little early. The 1977 mentioned be another commenter seems more likely. I know I owned '68, '69, '70, '73 and '74 GM products as well as driving others and they all had the dimmer on the floor.
I believe the last year for the dimmer switch being on the left side of the floorboard was 1977. Beginning in 1978, the dimmer switch was part of the turning signal lever on the left side of the steering wheel. The rear view mirror should be mounted at the top of the windshield and not on the dashboard. My mother use to have a 1953 Chevrolet 4Dr Tin Woodie Wagon. They called them "Tin Woodie" because instead of the trim being made of wood, it was actually made of tin that looked like wood. The 1953 and 1954 Chevrolets were basically the same car as far as styling was concerned. The difference between the two was the grill and parking lights and the tail lights. The rest of the car was the same. The interior dash on both were the same and the automatic gear shift was the same. The 1953 that my mother had had the two speed automatic transmission. That was actually the first wagon she ever had and from there, we had a 1955, 1958, 1969 Plymouth Suburban Tin Woodie and a 1974 Chevrolet Malibu Tin Woodie. After that she went with all 4Dr sedans.
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing all of that information and insight I think the dimmer switch was after 78 because we had a 1989 fan that had the high beam dimmer switch on the floor still that was a 1989 Ford Econoline van.. but I’ve never been in a 90 Econoline van I don’t even know if they made Econoline vans in 1990 they made a change the name or something I had an 88 Lincoln town car where the high beam dimmer switch was on the column.. I would like the cars with the dimmer switch on the floor and I like it better there because it’s a lot cheaper to replace if it goes bad. I had a GM car from the 90s that if the dimmer switch went bad you had to replace the whole steering wheel column..
@@What.its.like. - With the GM products, I believe 1977 was the last year for the dimmer switch on the floor because I had a 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix and that was the first year for the dimmer switch on the column. That switch would burn out every six months or so because it was made of plastic and that happened if you drove with the high beams on for a long period of time, it would burn out the switch, so I had my mechanic install it on the floor where the switch had been since its inception. Maybe other car makers didn't change their system until later years, but GM did it in 1978.
The cool thing about 54 235 inline 6 engine was that it came standard with the full vacuum system. The 53 was an option. Just FYI!
Awesome information thank you so much for sharing that =)
I have owned/driven a few '54 Chevys over the years...and, while I love the styling of the 55-57 Chevys....(especially so, the '56)....I like the look/feel of the '54 interior more-so than the tri-5's. The '53/54 interior has a special charm, and warmth, to it.
1957 Chevy was the car that got me into classic cars (I graduated in 2007 my grandpa in 57 he was my best friend taught me a lot) but there is so many more cool cars out there 57 chevys are still cool just everyone has one.
They sure had a great choice of models in 54; they sure went downhill over the years to just an Impala 4 door in recent years, That is a wind deflector in the vent window.
Very nice...my first car was just like this one,since 1959..lost it in a fire..yes miss it..
How much for this car??
I’m sorry you lost yours in a fire I think this one sold not sure what it went for
The '58 Impala was still considered a Bel Air; it was called the "Bel Air Impala". It became its own series in '59.
My dad’s stepfather had a 54 Chevy. I don’t know which model (I was probably 5 or 6 at the time). What I can recall is that it seemed very tall and the color was sort of bamboo color and medium dark green roof. I appreciate that you can find brochure info.
I love all the advertisements of the 50s era I love how colorful they are I guess to be fair there like that until The mid 60s for some reason it goes dark and grainy especially the GM ads
@@What.its.like. , I think you’re right. The 50’s had brighter, more colorful ads. I think when President Kennedy was killed it affected this country in many, many ways.
That was super sad way before my time but still sad none the less
They stopped putting the high beam foot switch on the floor because many people got it confused with the clutch and or brake peddle in both manual and automatic versions ? This was a problem because that moment of confusion could cause a serious accident?! I had an old Hillman Superminx here in the UK and nearly crashed that car 3 times because of that thing in the floor well? For me personally it was really dangerous?!
It's a wind deflector
The 1949-1954 Chevies are so boring looking compared to the 1955+ Chevies, but i still like them!
You did a great review. You should do a 1952 because they are somewhat forgotten.
There is a 52 in the pipeline shot about a month ago it’s pretty much the same car as the 51 so was going to wait a while space it out =)
@@What.its.like. Should be good to see. I have a model car of the 1952 Chevy torpedoback.
It’s not that model it’s a style line bel air or deluxe I need to hit the fastback model =)
@@What.its.like. Any one will do! 😁
👍👍👍👍👍
Deflector
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀 👋🌊
A VERY nice car to ride in (i was 12 yo!) but the WORST 'chrome" plating " on EARTH and a motor with suc/h POOR valve guides that it would KILL ALL MOSQUITOS (MANY IN DULUTH< MINN.!) JUST IDLING!
Chevy went all in on the ohv 6 it sucks they didn’t have a full Pressurized oil system until 235 the 235 came out
@@What.its.like. Agree! The rest of the '53 Chevy BelAir was pretty good! It had AN AWFUL factory stick-shift linkage and CHEAP "chrome" on the .grille and bumpers! It ran well, after you hit 3rd gear, though!
I need to drive one and see jk sold all his early 50s chevys he has one left it needs an interior it’s a convertible I’ll hit it when it’s ready =) it has a v8 in it I think it was transplanted in there I’ll have to get the full story. I daily drive a 52 Chevy 1 ton stock chassis and suspension different drive train. I love that truck =)
@@What.its.like. This is the beginning of A GREAT RIDE!
Hooptie
Learn what you speak about before you start... and quit ragging on what you speak about.
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