Chevrolet Bel Air

by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

1960 Chevrolet Bel Air and Biscayne

1960 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Hardtop Coupe
The 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Hardtop Coupe
conveyed a subtle style.

The 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air and 1960 Chevrolet Biscayne didn't sell as strongly as the lavishly outfitted Impala, but they nonetheless continued to attract a following of their own.

In fact, adding a hardtop Sport Coupe to the Bel Air lineup -- joining the also-pillarless Sport Sedan -- gave shoppers a stylish automobile for $108 less than a comparable Impala.

Actually, not everyone coveted the Impala's extra helping of brightwork. Some preferred the less-adorned body surfaces of a "lesser" model, espe­cially since the same engines could be installed in any Chevy -- right down to the most humble Biscayne sedans. In addition to the ample selection of V-8s, many Chevrolets held the venerable Blue Flame six, still chugging out 135 horsepower.

In addition to the pair of hardtops, the Bel Air series included two- and four-door sedans. Biscaynes came only in sedan form. Four wagon lines were marketed: luxury Nomad, economical two- or four-door Brookwood, four-door Parkwood, and nine-passenger Kingswood.

Not counting wagons, about 381,500 Bel Airs were built, versus 287,700 Biscaynes -- and close to half a million Impalas. Obviously, Americans still leaned toward luxury, whenever pocketbooks could withstand the assault. In any series, those wild rear ends -- starting off as popular, then derided as gauche -- don't look half bad today.

1960 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan
The 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air four-door Sedan
was toned down from previous years.

1960 Chevrolet Bel Air and Biscayne Facts

Model

Weight range (lbs.)

Price range (new)

Number built

Biscayne

3,455-3,570

$2,175-$2,423

287,700(approx.)

Biscayne Fleetmaster

3,480-3,560

$2,230-$2,391

N/A (included in Biscayne)

Bel Air

3,490-3,620

$2,384-$2,661

381,500 (approx.)

Station Wagon

3,845-4,000

$2,586-$2,996

212,700 (approx.)

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