The new 1950 Chevrolet Bel was Chevrolet's first hardtop and the pioneer pillarless coupe in the low-priced market. Buick, Cadillac, and Oldsmobile turned out sumptuous "hardtop convertibles" in 1949, but neither Chrysler nor Ford had one on the market.  

A Bel Air, advised the sales brochure, was "open to the summer breeze" yet "snug against the wintry wind," with "the coziness and permanence of an all-steel top." In short, you got both sportiness and all-weather comfort. 

Chevrolet offered just one hardtop (in the Styleline DeLuxe series), versus four versions of Pontiac's similar Catalina, but far more Bel Airs went to customers -- 76,662 in all. Priced at $1,741, a Bel Air brought $106 less than a convertible but $243 more than a sport coupe.

From the beltline down, a Bel Air looked exactly like other Stylelines. Convertible-type frame reinforcements made up for some loss of structural rigidity due to the lack of B-pillars. Rather than the usual broadcloth, upholstery was leather and pile-cord fabric. 

Bright metal headliner bows helped give the feel of a real ragtop, while rolling down the windows delivered an airy, jaunty experience. Before long, hardtops would overtake convertibles in the sales race. 

1950 Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe Bel Air Facts

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