On the YouTube channel Mortske Repair, Thomas works to find out if he can get a 1965 Chevrolet Bel Air running for the first time in 35 years. The classic car sat since the late 80s and despite years of dormancy, the Bel Air remains in surprisingly decent condition. Check out the video to see the car leaves its spot in a field and gets a second chance at life.
Abandoned 1965 Chevrolet Bel Air
The classic Chevy was last registered in March of 1987 and presumably has sat since that time. Ironically, the owner paid for registration for 1988 but the tags never made them onto the car. After getting it out of its resting spot and onto a trailer, they transfer it to a garage to begin working on it.
With some obvious sun fading and some minor body damage, the car is otherwise mostly complete. The small amount of rust that exists on the car is minor and won’t cause significant issues.
Inside the trunk, he finds a large number of parts for the car as well as for other cars that will get used as donors for other potential future projects. A look under the hood reveals an inline-6 engine with a fresh battery installed. They check to see if the starter works and if all the valves will move which proves successful. The car eventually turns over and runs. It’s then revealed that the Bel Air has 95,000 miles on the odometer. The radiator gets a top off and a quick view of the underside of the car reveals the extent of dirt that built up over time, which is a testament to how long it sat.
Getting The Bel Air On The Road
With the steps taken so far, he takes the car for a ride. The car isn’t smooth and the engine rumbles loudly but the car runs and drives. With some acceleration, the glass falls out of the mirror, showing that this old Chevrolet Bel Air can still output some respectable power. It’s a manual transmission and it shifts properly once on the road. The drooping headliner causes some discomfort between falling and allowing for dust and debris to flow throughout the car. With that in mind, it drives decently overall given that the car hasn’t seen a road in decades.
Back at the shop, a trail of dirt lines the floor from the buildup on the bottom of the car due to years of sitting. The mission of the video is successful as the Bel Air not only started but got back on the road and drove.
The car will be for sale, with more details for prospective buyers in the description of the YouTube video. For someone looking for an affordable hot rod from the 60s, this Bel Air could be a great option.