Every Detroit manufacturer, with rare exception, offered at least one convertible as the style leader of its line. However, automakers didn’t really expect to sell a lot of convertibles and they usually didn’t.

Convertibles set the style objectives but didn’t do much for sales as only 32,810 units were sold by Chevrolet in 1950.

In 1948 the Chevrolet Division of General Motors sold 20,471 Convertibles out of a total production run of 422,320 cars for the year. In 1949, Chevrolet built 32,392 Convertibles with a total production of over 1 million Chevy cars. In 1950 Chevrolet made another million cars and the 1950 Bel Air Hard Top out sold the 1950 Convertible 2 to 1.

None of the Bel Air Hardtop Convertible’s ever converted into open cars. The roof was all steel and welded in place.

Chevrolet’s Bel Air was the first true hardtop to be marketed in the low price field. Ford would not hit the market with its Victoria until 1951. Plymouth’s Belvedere arrived after 1951.

The Chevy Bel Air was very stylish in it’s two tone color combination, several of which were not available on other models. Interiors were trimmed much more brightly and for the first time offered in different colors to match the exterior colors. The interiors with leather trim and Bedford cord looked like convertible interiors.

The introduction of the Bel Air two door hardtop marked a big change in how Chevrolet defined sportily cars. Until the 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top, the serious sporting types went for Convertibles. The Bel Air hardtop in 1950 redefined sporty closed models.

1950 Chevrolet Bel Air Body Colors and Interior Colors

The model number of the 1950 Chevy Styline Deluxe Bel Air was 2154. Body style number was 50-1037. The factory price of a 1950 Chevy Bel Air was $1741.00. Only the 1950 Chevy Convertible and 1950 Chevy Station Wagon cost more. Production figures of the 1950 Bel Air was 76,662. The 1950 Bel Air was similar in quality to the 1950 Impala.

Series designations were determined by trim level, not body style. Each line had a Styleline (notchback) and a Fleetline (fastback) sub-series. Serial numbers: 2 digit letter prefix (GJ & GK) indicate year and model, followed by a dash and 4 numbers indicating body type. These 4 numbers could also have a Letter suffix indicating trim or equipment options. Serial numbers for Special Series were GJ-1001 to GJ-47213, Serial numbers for Deluxe Series were GK-1001 to GK-128201.
GJ = Stylemaster (incl. Fleetline Sub-Series – fastback)
GK =  Fleetmaster (incl. Fleetline Sub-Series – fastback)
Special Series Body Style Numbers
Model Number Body/Style Number Styleline Sub Series
1503 49-1269 4 Door Sedan
1502 49-1211 2 Door Sedan
1524 49-1277 2 Door Sport Coupe
1504 49-1227B 2 Door Business Coupe

Model Number Body/Style Number Fleetline Sub Series
1553 49-1208 4 Door Sedan
1552 49-1207 2 Door Sedan

Deluxe Series Body Style Numbers
Model Number Body/Style Number Styleline Sub Series
2103 49-1069 4 Door Sedan
2102 49-1011 2 Door Sedan
2124 49-1027 2 Door Sport Coupe
2134 49-1067 2 Door Convertible
2109 49-1061 4 Door Wood Wagon
2119 49-1062 4 Door Steel Wagon

Model Number Body/Style Number Fleetline Sub Series
2153 50-1008 4 Door Sedan
2152 50-1007 2 Door Sedan

The 1950 Fleetline Deluxe models were considered six passenger cars.

These new Deluxe 1950 Chevrolet 2 door and 1950 Chevy 4 door models were the mid-priced Chevy cars, along with the 1950 Styleline Deluxe. With the 1950 Bel Air and 1950 Bel Air Convertible being the higher priced cars.

A 2 Door Fleetline Deluxe sold for $1482.00 with the 1950 Chevrolet 4 door selling for almost $50.00 more at $1529.00. 1950 Chevy Deluxe 2 and 4 door sedans were priced exactly the same. Only the 1950 Bel Air, 1950 Station Wagon and 1950 Convertible cost more.

To dress up the Styleline Deluxe and Fleetline Deluxe models a stainless side trim and “Deluxe” script were installed on the front fender and front door along with chrome gravel guards on rear fenders.

In addition stainless windshield and rear window reveal moldings were found on the Deluxe models. The moldings outlined the windshield and rear window glass and followed the top curve of the doors and quarter windows on sedans and coupes. Deluxe models were equipped with fender skirts that also improved their looks. White wall tires were available at an addition cost.

Describing the 1950 Fleetline Deluxe, Chevrolet advertising called this car… “The Ride That Is New” and “Smooth… is everyone’s word for the companionable Chevrolet…Also Comfortable…also Convenient!”

Another Fleetline Deluxe ad claimed… “New Chevrolets feature smarter styling, improved performance and a really sensational new driving development”.

The model number 2153 4 door sedan Fleetline Deluxe cost $1529.00 with a production figure of 124,287 units. Slightly more 2 door sedans (model number 2152) were produced than the 4 door Fleetline Deluxe. With a production figure of 189,509 that was 5 times more Fleetline Deluxe units than Fleetline Specials. Also referred to as a 1950 Chevrolet Fastback.

The Chevrolet Division of General Motors did a very stylish job of mildly face-lifting the very successful 1949 Chevrolet and 1950 Chevrolet body style line up.

Often restyling a car in its third or fourth year of production brought dreary results. But not in the case of the 1951 Chevrolet Bel Air, Convertible, Styleline and Fleetline models.
The new 1951 Chevy grille was daring and simpler, pointing the way to even larger, more massive air intakes in the years to come. Yet the new 1951 Chevrolet Grille, with it’s wide-set parking lights and Chevy script, was not clumsy or overdone. The same line up of body styles continued as in 1950. The style leader of the 1951 Chevrolet line was now the Bel Air hardtop and convertible without question. It was America’s largest and finest low priced car with that longer, lower and wider big car look and with the beauty, comfort and safety.

All Deluxe models had a stainless steel molding starting above the fender and extending onto the doors. A deluxe name plate was mounted on each front fender. The stainless trim on the side of the 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe models was moved lower on the body to make the entire car look lower. Styleline Specials and Fleetline Specials had no chrome body strips or name plates. The only sheet metal changes made on the 1951 Chevy was the contour of the rear fenders.

You’ll like its longer, lower, wider Big-Car Look! claimed one 1951 Chevy Belair magazine ad. Measure up to the most value… Most length, most weight, most fine-car features! said another. Yet another magazine ad described the 1951 Chevy as – Longest, Heaviest in its Field… with more fine features you want!

The rear taillights were squared off and moved from their inboard location to a more prominent place on the back of the fender. Moving the taillights out made the rear look wider.

On the Deluxe models there was a strip of chrome running forward from the taillight along the top of the fender. Stainless steel trim strips which had outlined the rear fenders on the 1950 Chevy Deluxe models was deleted.

The two piece windshield was still there, with the one piece not adopted until used on the 1953 Chevrolet. Drivers also faced a redesigned instrument panel and great looking new interiors.