1959 Chevrolet Bel Air 348 cold start & first run of the 2021 season

Today turned out to be a stellar day, so I did get the Bel Air out for it's first run of the 2021 cruising season. The old 348 started with zero issues. I did crank it until the oil light went out, to get oil pressure up after sitting all winter. As you can see, once to the floor with the gas, turned the key and it was running.
I brought the car home, checked all the fluids and air in the tires. Then ran a few errands, then a lap on Woodward Ave. There were other cruisers out, but was not videoing when they went by.... in the other direction.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your ride in the Bel Air, as much as I did. The 348 ran like a clock.
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[@brianhdueck3372]

All I’m missing is the smell of the old Chevy. Manufacturers all had their own unique car smell to them back then.

[@805ROADKING]

Runs like a Dream Bud!! I miss the days of buying nice cars for $50-$100!!☺

[@wingman427]

40+ year old paint job, wow. Looks amazing. Under the hood looks as good as the outside. Didn’t come from the factory looking that good.

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Beautiful car! Those dangling dice would drive me nuts!

[@josealfredocuevas]

That1959 Chevy starts up like it's a brand new car and it runs like a brand new car and it looks like a brand new car, amazing the paint job you said is 40 years old looks like you just done it last week and here you're critics say you damaged cars just shows you how much people know about cars and restoring cars they're sitting at home hating your cat is a perfect example both of them the 59 and the 66 and that 60 Buick you restored awesome absolutely awesome👍🏼

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

The '59's are out! In 1978 there probably weren't many vehicles less valuable than a 1950's full-size car. Your car likely would have ended up in the junkyard if you hadn't intervened. Glad you are due for the shot, I am on the list, just waiting for an appointment. My category of employee was eligible Feb. 8th, but not enough to go around quite yet.

[@OldCarAlley]

No one wanted a late 50's car in the late 70's.... he wanted $150, I offered $75.... he took my offer and was happy to sell it. It was a running drivable car. Sure it needed tires, brakes, exhaust and battery, but in that era, all used cars needed that kind of stuff. I often bought cars to fix up in the 80's for $200 or less. The prices started to skyrocket in the 90's with all those car show on cable tv. I'm signed up for a shot, I hope it happens!

[@sensations111]

What an absolutely stunning 59. Rarely see the 4 door...what a pleasure!

[@randybourdon2791]

That was fun, thanks for the ride Howard.

[@OldCarAlley]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@miketaormino6761]

1959-1960 were for me the best looking Chevy’s made ...:... I fell in love with them riding in my Great Aunts 59 that was a Salmon and White four door like yours ..... 283 three on the tree with dealer installed AC ..... the first gear hum was the same as your car has ...... loved that sound 😄

[@charlesgrayson1510]

That 348 still sounds sweet.

[@OldCarAlley]

It's pushing 200,000 miles.....

[@ncautoman57]

100's of cars later I still wish I would have kept my first car..1964 Chevelle Malibu. Your 59 seems to have enjoyed stretching it's legs!

[@OldCarAlley]

It's first run in six months.... felt good to get it out.

[@MoparDan]

Wow Howard, that '59 Bel Air is sure a dandy. It must get a lot of looks when it is out on the road. They will never build them like that again. Thanks again for the "ride".

[@OldCarAlley]

Yes it gets lots of looks. People go off the road their so busy looking at it, and not where they're going. The younger generations wonder what it is....

[@paulsheehan5010]

In Canada, the Chevy Bel Air, was also called a Pontiac Laurentian, with Chevy motors and wasn't a wide tracking Catalina, that had Pontiac motors.

[@raymontalbano8045]

That three on the tree brings a smile to my face! 😊 The horizontal fins, cat’s eyes, and two tone paint make that car a pleasure to look at! (Got the Pfizer vaccine yesterday. No issues.)

[@OldCarAlley]

A few more days and I get mine.... can't wait.

[@virtuestreams2616]

Even when it’s virtual, I enjoy cruising in the Bel Air-thanks Howard!

[@giltracy505]

She's ready to go after hibernation for the winter! Nice car.

[@nefaurora]

Gotta love a good running old Chevy....! :o)

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Hello Howard, I must say your 59 BelAir is one sweet ride and the 348 is the cherry on top. Thank you for taking us along for the ride.

[@jamespn]

Looks like a tall second gear on the ‘59. If I remember correctly if you take it far enough to the East side it becomes metro parkway on the way to Metro Beach on Lake St. Clair. I remember going to that beach as far back as 1962.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yes it does.... runs right into Metro Beach Metropark.

[@iansaddington6057]

Loving the ride out with the Bel Air. Got a feeling that your Dad was traveling along with you as well. Having kept and maintained that Chev like you have for 43 years is a real credit to you. All the best and let’s hope that Spring signals the China virus to pack its bags for you all.

[@1234567896783]

I don’t care it was a short video it was an absolute treat

[@stevefraser9886]

Wow! What a treat to ride in that 59'! Thanks for the drive Howard! That's a beautiful car!

[@OldCarAlley]

Glad you enjoyed the ride.

[@dandrane1251]

I went to church in the mid-60s with a lady who had a '59 Chevy. Don't know if it was a Bel-Air or Biscayne but it was fairly plain. I would guess it was a six. The father of one of my friends had a '59 wagon during that period. Another friend's father had a '60.

[@jeanmariebalaes1137]

A good friend of my parents had a 1960 Impala. What a pleasure it was for me to accompany him in this fantastic car. The ride you made remembered me these good moments. Thanks for the share.

[@terrysamsa860]

Makes me eager to get my 59 Belair out for a test drive.

[@kevinmcpherson6999]

Looks amazing. 40 plus I guess that guys head did fall off. Nice work and nice car . A nice cruzing machine. U got the last laugh Howard.

[@jimmccoskey8253]

I was worrying if you had left your wrench lying on the radiator support; I should know better, you wouldn't do that! Your camera's frame-rate was perfectly synchronized with the black Escalade's spoked wheels...looked as though they were stopped while doing 55. Thanks for sharing the first Bel Air run for 2021!

[@canyonboatman]

This was my first driver as a kid. A 59 Chevy but I had a 6 cyl 3 on the tree. Fun and cool car.

[@OldCarAlley]

Thats awesome..... this Bel Air is my first car, but my driver training car was a brand new light blue 77 Pontiac Gran Prix with a powerless 301 V8. I did get to drive my mom's 73 Mercury Capri a lot before purchasing the Bel Air in 78.

[@Handlinyomommascheeks]

Amazing 59! my god I love old school cars a lot more than today’s models but for me being 22 & buying my first 56 belair is a dream come true hopefully i would find a 59 impala next

[@familyfirstmaconga.1942]

Great looking classic.

[@jimcabezola3051]

I enjoyed the road trip! Mahalo!

[@davepike6170]

Great to see you and your classic '59! Sure can't beat that trusty Chevy! So nice that you kept your first car, I wish I had my first car, a '69 Pontiac Catalina 2-door HT coupe, I bought from its original owner in early summer of '77. My second car a year later, was a '72 Vega coupe!

[@OldCarAlley]

A good friend had a 69 Catalina coupe with a 390 horse 428, with a hydromatic 400 bolted to it.... talk about get up and go, that car flew. I had a 75 Vega GT Kamback wagon. It had A/C.... turning the air on was like disconnecting a couple spark plug wires.... it lacked power big time when the A/C was on.

[@loubrandi]

Thanks for sharing Howard. Beautiful as always. I love the battery cover. Excellent touch. Take care.

[@philipstephan5451]

Beautiful car. I cant believe that paint over 40 years old. I must say your shade tree paint job looks really nice. If i were you i wouldnt ever sell it. Well, stay safe. Looking good, cheers. 😊🇺🇲

[@OldCarAlley]

I'll never sell it. I have turned down offers that were more than the car is worth.

[@user-sn4ev4tl7t]

Beautiful 59!! You did a GREAT job on the paint!! You've taken very good care of it. I'm glad you drive it too.

[@bthornton3026]

Looks as good as ever.

[@DCR52]

Howard, I'm always impressed. You never cease to amaze me. The 59 looks great.

[@frothe42]

Very nice! Engine sounds good, the usual noises from sitting all winter. Beautiful here in upstate New York, although we are not supposed to get as warm as you. Hopefully next weekend, if you have spare time and the weather is cooperative, another run might be in order!

[@scotttillotson1989]

I enjoyed the cruise in your ‘59 Bel Air. It seems very smooth and quiet. Beautiful blue sky as well. Take care.

[@ste7193]

That was excellent, Thanks.

[@vambat3523]

I love this car so much! its so gorgeous and the lights in the back looks so cool

[@IowaClassicCars]

Oh yeah this is awesome!

[@huntersawesome8587]

She’s a Beaty!!

[@martinbeneteau309]

Good to see the old girl out and about. I bet it felt good to have her out. Thanks for bringing us along. Did you catch the video with Ryan and Ed?

[@OldCarAlley]

I did watch Ryan's video. It was very relaxing to get the Bel Air out. It was to nice of a day not to go for a run.

[@rogercamp6071]

Good to see the Bel Air out 🌞

[@deanfawbush9071]

She is a beauty, I love the 1959 GM models I have a 59 Oldsmobile super 88

[@legrandyaka2013]

bonjour Howard, vous avez beaucoup de chance de pouvoir conduire ces belles voitures:cela n'a rien à voir avec les véhicules d'aujourd'hui: je dis toujours c'était mieux avant!!

[@old-man173]

You did a good job it is a beautiful car

[@dietersmythe9649]

Happy Spring!!!

[@Rider-zr7ix]

Great car Howard, Just awesome! I am a Chevy Nut so this is very cool. :)

[@jbj27406]

She's a beauty. I really dig the Bel Air rather than Impala, the four door sedan over a hardtop, and the three speed over the Power Glide. And of course, the 348! Nice car! And the fact that it was your first car. Good paint job. Just a great car. It pays to hang on to things sometimes. I wish I still had my 1965 Austin Healey 3000. I'll never be able to own another one.

[@oldcarnocar]

beautiful!

[@glenharper3136]

That is a Beautiful car!

[@micksterboone4517]

Wish my black car looked that good after just 25 years.

[@josephdalessio4510]

Beautiful car

[@cynthiarabe5924]

❤️ It’s beautiful!

[@goldmembers7128]

Puts on a fugazi battery cover. Lol

[@OldCarAlley]

I does make it look original, instead of the boring Napa battery.

[@oldradioguy65]

I see your battery resembles an original "tar top."

[@OldCarAlley]

Yea, it's a plastic topper to give it that original look.... over a NAPA battery.

[@tonycolca2241]

It is so heartbreaking when people rev up cold engines.

[@NoonanStudio]

weeeeeeee! neat!

[@brucescott2263]

Howard you are a braver man than I am leaving that beautiful car in a storage facility. Have you ever considered another garage in your yard?

[@OldCarAlley]

My local community only allows one out building.... thats my garage, and it's the largest size they allow. I have used storage units for other cars and stuff, never had any issues with them.

[@reijerlincoln]

@minute 00:40 One of the battery cable fasteners came loose, passanger side.

[@OldCarAlley]

I'll have to snap it back in.... thank you.

[@goldmembers7128]

Did I bring a wrench????. Lol. Yer killing me here

[@OldCarAlley]

I thought it was in my pocket.... guess I threw it in the back with the battery.

[@elithelonewolf2677]

75 bucks for that cool thing??! Man I wish cars were that cheap still😢

[@OldCarAlley]

You and I both. I'd buy every one I could find. I turned down a $50,000 offer last summer for the Bel Air.

[@roberthastings6270]

Howard, do you have any photos that you can post of the Bel Air rebuild ? I know it's a long time ago and pre-GoPro but some stills would be interesting. Have great day!

[@OldCarAlley]

I do.... most are already in my past videos somewhere.

[@merc-ni7hy]

again...we go for a ride and didnt stop for ice cream ...i dont know if i asked this before.but where was this car assembled?..just curious ...was it tarrytown? N,Y

[@OldCarAlley]

I am not a big fan of ice cream.... The Bel Air rolled off the Flint assembly line in August of 59. I had a 60 Bel Air that was built October 59....

[@georgesand4629]

That’s a beautiful car. Are you a Chevy or a Ford guy? Don’t say both.

[@OldCarAlley]

I own more Ford's, they're easer to work on and a better vehicle in my mind.... but the 59 Chevy is my all time favorite car!

[@georgesand4629]

😬

[@BondeSmith]

👍

[@65bugnut]

Looks like the car ran well. I had my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Friday. My arm was a little sore from the shot, but after a day everythings fine.

[@OldCarAlley]

I am looking forward to getting a vaccine.

[@lt.frankdrebin3317]

Show us some performance from that 250 HP 348! You're driving like Driving Miss Daisy. These engines need to be opened up sometimes! That's good you don't have a 3x2 348. those secondary carbs would be gummed up in no time due to non-use. For your style of driving, the 235 six or the 283 2 bbl would be more than enough.

[@OldCarAlley]

I had a 60 with the 283, it was the perfect power plant for that car. There is zero need for the power the 348 has, and I don't beat on my vintage cars. I have owned the Bel Air 44 years and have never had a secondaries issues with it! The accelerator pump has gone bad, so in the spring I'll overhaul the carburetor for the first time in 30+ years. I picked up a kit with the ethanol resistant rubber for it.

[@lt.frankdrebin3317]

@@OldCarAlley I love unleashing the 280 horses of my '58's 348. Your video on power steering finally convinced me to install a factory system on my '58. Best thing I ever did to this car! Man, does this car drive so much nicer! Took me about a year to accumulate all of the correct parts, but I did it! Thank you sir!

[@OldCarAlley]

@@lt.frankdrebin3317 Yes it does make a huge difference. I had a 60 with power steering. It drove like a dream, thats why the 59 Bel Air got power steering.

[@tedwalker1370]

Tell me you have never done a burn out in that car. LOL

[@OldCarAlley]

I'v owned the car since I was 17.... so yes I have smoked the tires. It will light them up in all three gears, and lay rubbed from a 30 mph roll. I just grew up and look after the car now!

[@johnnylyme]

Do you use Sta-Bil ?

[@OldCarAlley]

No just fill it with gas... I use ethanol free gas in it.

[@alexga681]

Smart thing to do when u put away your classic in a rental storage cardboard underneath for what eva oil leaks I do the same with my 64 Chevy impala ss u say u bought it for 75 dollars I'll give u a 100 dollars for it

[@OldCarAlley]

lol...... I turned down an offer of $100,000 last summer for it.

[@alexga681]

@@OldCarAlley lol nice car but is too bad is a 4 door I own a 64 Chevy impala ss my uncle says the back them they used to be sooo cheap now like they cost a fortune he say he used to buy them 63 impala ss or 64 impala ss any impala or Chevy or bombs 48s 50s for like 40 dollars 50 dollars or 75 or a 100 dollars now I see the it was truth huh

[@PuGs_NoT_dRuGs_0]

I’m sorry, SEVENTY FIVE!?

[@OldCarAlley]

YEP

[@vambat3523]

i really like this car but im scared that the steering wheel column will kill you if you get into a crash cause it can be into a weapon when you crash it like it can extend

[@OldCarAlley]

There were zero safety features back in 59..... No seat belts, metal dash, and as you stated a non collapsing steering column. I hope to never be in a crash with it. I know someone that did. They were hit head on by a drunk in an Escort. The drunk walked away. The guy in the Chevy was almost killed and spent months in the hospital.

[@vambat3523]

@@OldCarAlley what happened to the guy in the chevy after in the crash like what happened to his body was his skull open or something or paralyzed

[@vambat3523]

@@OldCarAlley also mercedes used to make like collapsable steering column so like it doesnt become a weapon when crashed in the 50s i think they were safe

[@OldCarAlley]

@@vambat3523 He had a lot of internal organ damage. He had many surgeries because of that. He didn't have any broken bones, but was black and blue from head to toe. This happened 30+ years ago to him. He mostly recovered. I have not seen him in years now though.... I hope he is still ok. He moved out of state for work.

[@vambat3523]

@@OldCarAlley oh ok, cause i really want a 1959 bel air as my first car, im 16 but i might not buy one because of safety

[@jeffcolt9185]

You could have put some gas in the carburetor, so you dont wear out the starter

[@OldCarAlley]

I cranked the engine until the oil pressure was up on purpose, then I set the choke, by pushing the gas pedal once to the floor, then it started immediately. I don't like starting it, after it has sat six months, without cranking until it has oil pressure. That small amount of cranking is certainly not going to ware out the starter.... If it does, I'll rebuild it.

[@mauriziomerli4470]

上級車インパラと同一車種に見える、どこがどう変わるんだ？

[@johnjuarez8005]

LOL. Those Vegas were the worst cars.

[@OldCarAlley]

Mine had three engines, one trans and one axle, not to mention all the years of rust repairs.

[@rouser301]

I love cars when you can open the hood and actually identify what you're seeing. I love nostalgia, I love this car, but this video sucks my friend - You could've done this in a rusted out '85 Buick and it'd have been exactly the same except for the hood decorations. What you need is a chase car filming THIS car. No one even honked and waved, and worse you let all those pikers pass you. Redo this with another car filming you and I'll be glad to upvote you... until then a steering wheel blocking the view of other 5-15 year-old-cars on a road can be found anywhere. SHOW YOUR CAR, not other cars.