348/4-speed '61 Bel Air

[scuncio]

I assume this is a made-up car...especially with the 4-speed, which I understand was rare in '61. Seller claims it's original. Neat looking car regardless. What say you guys?

http://tinyurl.com/zgtnt2x

[Verne_Frantz]

Buyer beware. Lots wrong. Missing important info.

Verne

[John Brown]

When I was a punk kid (I know, that was a long time ago), I got my a$$ handed to me by an old man in a shiny new 61 BA 4 door hardtop in an impromptu stop light time trial. A few days later I saw the same car parked at our local cheapy gas station. I stopped in to take a closer look and the guy that worked there came out and it was the "old guy". Short story is that he had special ordered it with a 348 tri-power and a 4 speed. Said he needed a 4 door to haul the wife, kids and groceries, but the 348, tri-power and 4 speed were just for embarrassing the likes of me.

Never underestimate the old guys.....

[Rixls6]

Love the 61's, and this one is very cool.

[scuncio]

I figured it might not be 100% original...if the price was more 'right' it would be really tempting with the original paint and the current drivetrain.

[442w30]

I remember a similar car in Detroit around '99. Can't remember the color, but it was a done-up 348 4-speed post.

[Verne_Frantz]

Yes, that would be a very cool car IF it was original. I'd like one myself. There are plenty of made up ones out there but if you really want a real one, you need to have it inspected by someone who can authenticate it before you unzip your fly.
Now, if you just want the appearance and character of one, then by all means, open up your wallet and let the moths out and go for it. There are plenty to chose from.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[quik9r]

If that car is the one that was in Ontario....it was a good original 348/4 spd car with paper on oil changes etc. Had been floating around the web the last 5 years. Sometimes a car in the wrong hands and a lack of knowledge things can be altered and changed not for the better. Just a thought.

[SeattleCarGuy]

I was at a swap meet in the Seattle area back in around 2001 and a guy had a barn find '61 348 Tripower/4 speed Bel Air on a trailer that was for sale. We were there early setting up for a car show and the guy had just taken the cover off the Bel Air and it was very dirty, but very untouched original. It was a sea foam green color and looked like a time capsule, just very very dirty, but very complete. I loved the car and the Seller said he had just sold it for $4000 to the first guy that he talked to. I told the guy to call me when he got back over to the area as he was somewhere walking around. I talked to the Buyer and offered him double his money, and escalated to $10,000. Easiest $6000 the guy could ever make, but he wasn't interested. At any rate, this might have been a bit steep for a project in 2001, but it was so cool and you never see these original cars. In the last 15 years of attending shows in the Seattle area, I have never seen that '61 Bel Air pop up again.

[luzl78]

I don't think that price is crazy. That car is very clean, detailed and complete.