1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible in Campus Cream & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

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On "My Car Story" we're in Fountain Hills, AZ at the Sunday Car Show 1-28-24.
We're looking at a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible in Campus Cream Paint. The car comes with the 235 CI inline 6-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission.
The car's Owner is Gary Krig. Gary’s had this car since 2005. He shares he helped on the restoration in 1980’s and the Caretaker at that time sold him the car. This one has many factory options and is an award winner.
ENJOY!

[@loucostabile]

Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou

[@dancerjim]

It’s a beauty. Born in 1953, just like me. And we’re both good looking, even now!!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you and this car have the same birth year and looking good too :-)

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Truly a great car, indeed! What a fantastic '53 Mr. Krig has for us to appreciate today. I think the interior & exterior colors look great together, and all that chrome is always a treat to see. Thanks, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, "Truly a great car, indeed!" High praise. You're welcome, Lou

[@bigmountain7561]

Hi Lou, I have an Original Brochure with the pencil marks and comments of my wife’s uncle who was K.I.A. in the Korean War. He gave it to Auntie to hold onto until he got back from his tour. His Navy patrol craft flew into the side of a mountain just north of Japan. All were lost. So I made this year 53 my favorite of the big Chevy’s. His name was Radioman Second Class Douglas Campbell from Madison Wisconsin. Great Videos Thank You 🙏

[@loucostabile]

Hi Big Mountain, That is a nice story and I'm glad to read the 53 is your favorite. My pleasure sharing with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@terryeustice5399]

Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Terry, SUPER THANK YOU FOR THE SUPER THANKS! I appreciate the support, and it helps to share the Channel with others, Lou

[@PatrickSeanEarl]

Sweet ! Love this car . Thanks for sharing Lou.

[@loucostabile]

NICE! You're welcome PatrickSeanEarl

[@stevebyrne4235]

Love the bow tie exhaust outlet; sweet ride.

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing the details you enjoy.

[@tonycolca2241]

One of my biggest dreams was to have a 53 chevrolet. This is number one!

[@loucostabile]

# 1....NICE!

[@czechmate6916]

Nice restoration. I love the color combination especially the cream color.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you apprecaite the restoation and looks of this car :-)

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Beautiful 53 😎 👍

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@terryeustice5399]

Thanks Lou. The first car I owned was a 1953 I purchased from my great Aunt . That drove it only to church and the grocery. It was mint when I got it. Mine was not a convertible. It was a 4 door. The man is right. You see a ton of 1954’s mine was a Forest green like the Dash in that one. My first car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Terry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1st car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@jonathan_nc]

My aunt had a '53 Chevy 210 two-door painted saddle brown. It had the optional left-hand spotlight/mirror and PowerGlide. She drove it for about 15 years and I vividly recall her backing out of my grandmother's driveway, "whamming" the shift lever into reverse, which was all the way at the bottom. Thanks for having him rev the engine. I could hear that PowerGlide whirr really well. FYI, Wally Cleaver drove a '53 Chevy 210 convertible on Leave it to Beaver.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jonathan NC, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Aunt car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@oldblueshhrchannel1847]

Lou! Thanks for the reminder, I passed on one of these 25 years ago. A beautiful car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Oldblue’s HHR channel, Happy to read "A beautiful car" :-) Lou

[@danielulz1640]

That really is a pretty color combo. I like how the interior green appears on the quarter panels and the cream appears on the lower portion of the dashboard.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Daniel, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou

[@geyser3445]

That car is a 10 out of 10. Beautiful.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

So true!

[@loucostabile]

High praise.

[@mikeyb.3004]

Thanks Gary for sharing your '53 Chevrolet. You never see these. Thanks for finding this Lou!!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mikey B, You're right, a rare sight to see today. My pleasure sharing this car with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@tonycolca2241]

Oil bath air cleaners work better than the paper filters. I love it when people know their cars.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@carlv8168]

Interestingly, there was no mention of the optional power steering that you could clearly see in this video. The trim pieces on the side of the car are stainless steel; not chrome. The optional fingernail guard on the outer door handles was also overlooked in this video.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 THANKS LOU,GARY FOR SHARING A GREAT STORY AND A LOADED CONVERTIBLE 😎💚💚💚

[@loucostabile]

Hi Budget Audiophile Life-long, Happy to share the story of the "LOADED" car with you :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@matthew-emerson-cadmer-7409]

If I can remember correctly, this car only had the 217 cubic inch to 235 cubic inch Blue Thrift (or Blue Flame if I can remember the engine codename) Inline-6, and that the V8 was first introduced in the 1955 Chevrolet lineup starting as the 265 Cubic Inch Two-Barrel Carburetor (265-2V) V8 making 162 Horsepower and 257 Foot Pounds of Torque.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Matthew, Happy to read this car brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@josephconsoli4128]

One of my all-time favorites Lou! I agree that this is a primo example. Love the color combo. Just a gorgeous looking car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joseph, Happy to read "One of my all-time favorites" :-) Lou

[@patkane761]

Old Chevy's never die, they just go faster 💚 Thanks for another great droptop Lou 👍👍

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share this "droptop" with you Pat.

[@jeffreymartin6369]

Pretty color and interior!

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@paulkirkland1535]

Lou, nice old Chevy. My dad had a 53 4 dr in the '60's. Lovely old Chev. They certainly don't make them like they used to. American ingenuity at it's finest. I feel sad to see what Detroit has come to. The 50's and 60's were the pinnacle of American automotive design when Detroit was king and aid's meant assistance. Thanks again Lou for your great videos.

[@loucostabile]

Paul, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@frankhall4]

When I was was a kid in the early 1960’s my dad had a 1953 Belair 2 door hardtop.. my dad liked it because it had power glide and power steering. It was baby blue and white. Thanks for the memories

[@loucostabile]

Hi Frank, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@ghtaboma]

@@frankhall4 Guy in HS, had a ‘54 powder blue and white one. He attracted all the best girls!

[@johncornell3665]

My parent's had a '52 Chev convertible in red. They are really a beautiful car. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome John!

[@danmar007]

What a beauty!!!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)

[@robgrear1142]

One can just hear Dinah Shore singing “See the USA in your Chevrolet,” while riding in this lovely ‘53! Mid-century automotive art!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rob, "One can just hear Dinah Shore singing “See the USA in your Chevrolet,” while riding in this lovely ‘53! Mid-century automotive art!" NICE! Lou

[@chrisjeffries2322]

💋

[@OldRustySteele]

Ah, Dinah and the Chevy “See the USA” song and Tennessee Ernie Ford with “You’re Ahead in a Ford All the Way”! The TV sounds of my childhood!!!

[@OldRustySteele]

At 7:58, that little “whine” when Gary revved the car up sure takes me back. We had a ‘56 Bel Air with PowerGlide automatic when I was a kid and it had that same whine when Dad would start it!!

[@spencersmith2798]

“See the USA in your Chevrolet…America’s asking you to call!”

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Wow. 71 year old car. Beautiful car (even if its a Chevy). I miss the era of chrome accents on cars. This one is tasteful and not loaded up like years later which was really too much for my taste. That interior is amazing. That green interior is so relaxing to look at. Thanks for sharing again, Lou, and giving us a variety of vehicles to appreciate!

[@loucostabile]

Hi ultraviolet tp, Happy to read the details you notice on this car :-) My pleasure sharing the variety with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@johncaballero8013]

A very beautiful and sanitary ‘53 Bel Air for sure! The restoration was well done! Thanks Lou. 😎

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks and restoration of this car :-) You're welcome John.

[@garypiont6114]

The palm trees go great with this gem. Thanks

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-) You're welcome.

[@terrym5023]

Cream of the crop 😉

[@loucostabile]

NICE!

[@tombrown1898]

Haven't seen a '53 Chevy in years, but they used to be everywhere. We had a 1952 Style line De Luxe when I was a kid, "The Gray Chevrolet," a member of the family. The 1953 re-style was pretty dramatic, ending the "potato" styling begun in 1949. Love the cream color and green interior. Beautiful car!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tom, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Gray Chevrolet :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@JeffKing310]

Very nice Chevy. These are often overshadowed by the Triple 5s. This is a great example, great colour and attention to detail. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, You're right, once people saw the 55, 56 & 57 the 1948-1954 cars must not have had the appeal so to find a nice one today, is hard to find. Also thinking from a restoration point of view, I would guess there are limited part to restore one, and then you might not have the resale value for the 1948-1954 too. Bottom line, I'm happy to be able to share this one with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@acatal2464]

This is a great looking 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible car, it also still runs and drive smooth!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Glad to share the ride with you.

[@brianmoore6306]

Nice example of a top of the line Bel-Air. Love the inerior.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "Nice example" :-)

[@juanasanelli6831]

Lou felicita a su dueño que tiene esta joya

[@loucostabile]

Juan, Happy to share this "gem" with you :-)

[@zachwheeler9846]

Nothing like an old classic convertible. You chose a perfect day to review this car Lou, the sunlight looked gorgeous gleaming off this Chevy. I loved the buzzy noise the engine made, nothing like modern like cars. And color combo was perfect 👌. Great video Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Zach, Happy to read the details you enjoyed in this video :-) Glad you're along for the ride, Lou

[@bruceh92]

I grew up in a Chevy family and am a huge fan of the early '50's models. Lou, this one's a real peach with the rag top and yellow paint. Wouldn't 'mellow yellow' be appropriate? Anyway, I'm daydreaming, this car is wonderful. Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bruce H., Happy to read "I grew up in a Chevy family and am a huge fan of the early '50's models." :-) NICE! So rare to see a clean one today. My pleasure sharing this car with you. You're welcome, Lou

[@BrianChappie]

Paint code 507 is Campus Cream. A really nice car. I like that he kept it original but it has a lot of options. Thanks for sharing, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brian, Happy to read you enjoy this "really nice car" :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you, You're welcome, Lou

[@MisterMasterShafter1]

Another sweet Bel Air!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "sweet" car :-)

[@tumbleweedtommy4626]

That is an absolutely beautiful color combination Lou! Great find!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TumbleweedTommy, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Lou

[@plymouthduster225]

Beautiful 53 Chevy BelAir Convertible you don't see any of these around hardly, the Convertible ones at least.

[@loucostabile]

Hi PlymouthDuster225, You're right, a rare sight today. Happy I'm able to share this one with you, Lou

[@garyeagleson5634]

Gorgeous 53 Chevy Bel-Air Convertible Lou. Definitely a nice two tone paint job along with the cool green interior. You “hit” a home run with this treasure big time. Great interview. 👍😎💚🍀⭐️🔥

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gary, Happy to read "You “hit” a home run with this treasure big time." :-) Glad to read you enjoy the looks of this car, Lou

[@juanasanelli6831]

Yo cuando veo estos AUTOS mas me afirmo al decir que la industria del auto vive sus ultimos coletazos

[@loucostabile]

Hi Juan, If it's the car industries experiencing its last moments, good news! All the cars you enjoy are right here on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@chrisjeffries2322]

See the USA in your Chevrolet, as Dinah Shore once sang on her TV shows 💋

[@loucostabile]

NICE!

[@edwardallan197]

These were well made, and were not uncommon into the mid-70s..... Good parts availability for a little while, as they sold so well. Sooo nice... sitting high like a good chair or couch. ❤

[@loucostabile]

Hi Edward, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@Irishfan]

It was great to see this car, When my aunt was single and dating the man she would eventually marry, he had a Chevrolet. I think his was a 54 since he traded every two years on the even years. I never saw my uncle's car close up or ride in it, so I got a look at what it was like here.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Daniel, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Uncles car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and glad to share the ride with you, Lou

[@leroycaudill96]

Beautiful old car my cousin had one of these same in red thanks Lou God Bless.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Leroy, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car like your Cousin used to have. You're welcome. Blessings received. God bless you too, Lou

[@vincentcalderella6404]

Hi Lou, It was great to see a stock '53 Chevy! I have a stock '54 Chevy Bel-Air 4- Door Sedan. I drive it as often as possible (weather permitting). It gets a lot of looks on the road. Thanks again.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Vincent, Happy to be able to share a stock 53 Chevy with you :-) Glad to read you have a 54 Chevy you're enjoying and driving. NICE! You're welcome, Lou

[@larrymcclain8874]

This color combination was also used in Cadillacs during the 50s. Pale yellow with emerald green.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Larry, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Cool drop top!

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

The Chevy 235 had poured babbitt rod bearings to the end of production. 1953 was also the first year that the PowerGlide actually automatically shifted. Up until then, the PowerGlide operated like a non-shifting Buick Dynaflow.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Automated Electronics, Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@Iraqkingdom1921]

The mother of all other models that year.....

[@loucostabile]

Chevy Mama.....

[@Iraqkingdom1921]

@@loucostabile 😄😄😄

[@philipdrake6]

Hi Lou, that 53 is in nice condition, i had a1954 sedan with the blue flame motor, a very good car for its model.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Philip, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@larryborkstrom3580]

It's great to see other 50s Chevy's that are not tri 5 nothing wrong with them but I like them all glad he kept the car original and blue flame 6

[@loucostabile]

Hi Larry, Rare to see a 1948-1954 Chevy today in original condition. My pleasure sharing this one with you, Lou

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😊

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@matrox]

One day he will ask... May I open it? and they will say... "No you may not".😝

[@loucostabile]

....one day, one day :-)

[@OldRustySteele]

I always found it interesting that the ‘49 Ford was the first low priced car to totally get rid of old style, bulbous fenders for a modern, straight, sleek look. Yet GM continued with rounded fenders which stuck out from the car until the ‘54 Buick & Olds and not until the ‘55 Chevy & Pontiac. I guess that was a homage to the great Harley Earl who wasn’t a minimalist when it came to design!

[@loucostabile]

Hi OldRustySteele, Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@chrisneilson7221]

The cowl tag shows 507 as the paint number code = Campus Cream.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@ghtaboma]

I had one this color. Thought it looked better with ‘54 tail lights, and ‘56 Oldsmobile “flipper “ hubcaps

[@loucostabile]

Hi ghtaboma, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@ghtaboma]

@@loucostabile That ‘53 sounded great with twin glass pack muffler’s . I’d step down on the gas in tunnels and that baby would roar!

[@ramblingsadrift6477]

Is that a return line off the carb to avoid vapor lock?

[@loucostabile]

Hmmm, Not sure. Hoping a Viewer with knowledge can share the answer.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

I looked at the carburetor. The fuel line comes out of the filter and into the carb. The line from the driver's side below the carb goes to the vacuum wipers, and the inboard metal line from the carb goes to the distributor vacuum advice for fuel economy. Cheers everyone!

[@matrox]

Please do 52' and 55' Rocket 88 Olds.

[@loucostabile]

If I can find them, stay tuned, and you'll see them :-)

[@СергійШамін]

Цікаве авто! Дякую! Колір,форми кузова...

[@loucostabile]

Hi Сергій, Happy to share this interesting car with you :-) Lou

[@romans828.]

Are we going to talk about the elephant in the room? The venerable Blue Flame Corvette engine?

[@loucostabile]

....this is what the comment section is for. Let's GO!

[@romans828.]

What year is that truck on his shirt?

[@loucostabile]

Not sure of exact year, however I'll guess 1930's. Hoping a Viewer with knowledge can share.

[@carlv8168]

Nice car. However, judging by the excessive exhaust sound, (both when he first pulled up, and after starting the engine), it appears to have a very noticeable exhaust leak at the flange connection where it's mated to the exhaust manifold. That noise was way too front & center to be coming from an aftermarket muffler. You could even hear it during the demo drive. Ugh! Don't mean to be critical but that's a huge drawback, especially coming from a once trophy-winning specimen. Also, you could hear the door glass rattle inside the door when Lou closed it.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Carl V, Thanks for sharing the issues you heard. Lou

[@carlv8168]

@@loucostabile You're welcome. Exhaust leaks of that magnitude smack of neglect and are a huge pet-peeve. to the discriminating vintage car enthusiast.

[@stude2896]

You totally missed the fact that the car has power steering, Very rare for a low priced three car in 1953,

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing what you noticed.