1951 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop. "Bel Air" was the original name for the first Chevy Hardtops. Bel Air would become the top of the line seriesin 1953 and remain so thru 1958. Remember...in 1958 the first Impalas werew "Bel Air Impalas". In 1959 the Impala would become a full top of the line series with two and four door hardtops, a four door sedan, a convertible, and a station wagon.