This Matador Red convertible takes the phrase “well-optioned” to a whole new level, as it’s equipped with 62 factory- and dealer-installed options. Many are obvious at first glance and add to the car’s eye appeal, like the Continental Kit, dual rear fender antennas, bumper guards, spotlights and full wheel covers (with spinners). Others are more subtle, such as the dual outside rear-view mirrors, door handle shields, back-up lights and the special moldings for the body sill and lower trunk edge. Some aren’t visible at all until you look for them, including the locking gas cap, tool kit, the third note added to the horn and the work light under the hood. Most of the optional equipment was added to the Bel Air’s interior, such as the right-side sun visor, dual vanity mirrors, the electric clock, compass, tissue dispenser, litter tray, portable spotlight (an NOS item), armrests, rubber floor mats, accelerator pedal cover, day/night inside rear-view mirror, cigarette lighter, courtesy lamps and a light inside the glove compartment. Some options were commonly found on other cars of the era, such as the padded dashboard, Wonderbar radio, factory air conditioning, power brakes and steering, and the windshield washer. Others are more obscure, like the vacuum ashtray, which sucked the contents of the ashtray into a remote canister, and the traffic light viewer, a prism mounted on the dash that enabled the driver to see traffic lights blocked by the car’s roof. There are even options being sold with this Bel Air that haven’t been installed, including fender skirts, NOS door edge guards and an insect screen for the radiator. The Bel Air went through a mechanical restoration about 4,000 miles ago during which its 283 CI Power Pack V-8 and Powerglide automatic transmission were rebuilt. Surrounding the rebuilt Rochester four-jet carburetor is an oil-bath air cleaner. The radiator was recored, a new dual exhaust system was installed, and the car received a new fuel tank and sending unit. The chassis was thoroughly restored with new upper and lower control arms, ball joints, control arm shafts, bushings and wheel bearings in the front suspension; new springs and shocks front and rear; new steering components including the idler arm, tie rods, tie rod ends and center link; and new brake shoes, wheel cylinders and brake plumbing. Coker American Classic wide-whitewall tires tie in nicely with the sparkling white convertible top.
