Veteran car guys and gals can tell the difference between the model years of the Tri-Five Chevrolet Bel Airs at a quick glance. But maybe you’re new to the hobby and aren’t quite sure — and certainly don’t want to be embarrassed by guessing incorrectly.
H&H Classic Parts, Arkansas-based supplier of parts for classic Chevrolet vehicles, has created a Tri-Five spotter’s guide to illustrate the unique exterior details for those 1955, 1956 and 1957 Bel Air models.
“Chevy made enough changes to the Bel Air during this time that you could identify the year whether the car’s coming or going,” Tray Smith, vice president of H&H Classic, says in a news release accompanying the chart.
“Taillights, fins, so many things we could’ve included but the chart just got too busy. This one’s focused on the front end. Maybe we’ll do a guide for the Bel Air’s rear end another time.”
“For those who aren’t well-versed in Tri-Five Chevys, here are some quick identifiers shared in the graphic,” the company adds:
- The slight “brow” above the 1955 Bel Air headlights is subtle, compared to the next two model years’ “headlight fenders.” As the spotter’s guide shows, each iteration became a bit more heavy-lidded.
- The parking lights on the ’55 are teardrop shaped and integrated into the car, sitting on each side of the centered grille.
- The 1956 Bel Air gained some embellishments — a V front and center on the hood and a side trim that ran almost the length of the car. That trim is chrome but has a distinctive, painted center.
- Unlike the ’55, the ’56 has a grille that runs the entire width of the front end. That grille is flanked by two rectangular parking lights.
- The 1957 Bel Air doubled its hood ornamentation — this year’s model had two ornaments jetting ahead of the Chevy’s driver.
- The ’57 has round signal lights integrated into each side of the grille guard and a new bowtie emblem was added to the center.
“As Tri-Five fans, we did want to add more to the graphic, but we settled on just providing some fun facts here,” Smith noted.
Additional Tri-Five facts to enhance a Bel Air spotter’s knowledge:
- The 1955 has more prominent vertical lines on its grille — the other two model years have grilles with a more horizontal design.
- The wraparound bumpers were new in 1955.
- The Nomad, a 2-door Bel Air wagon, was introduced in 1955.
- The ’56 hardtop, pillarless Bel Air sedan offered an unobstructed view.
- The 1957 grille is the most elaborate – lots of chrome and anodized gold finish.
- The ’57 is the only Tri-Five with side scallops on the front end.
For more information, and to see what it has available for various Chevy models, visit the H&H Classic Parts website.
I have the 1957 wagon station two doors
I have a 1957 Chevy nomad all apart.
Looking for a builder in nor Cal to quote chassis work on my 55 bel air