2002 Chevy Bel Air Concept Car To Pace Route 66 Rendezvous

CLICK4 Video Of GM Unveiling at Detroit Auto Show (Belair Approx 21 Minutes In)

September 5, 2002

It's Sexy, Curvaceous, Has Its Top Down... And Headed To San Bernardino! Breakthrough 2002 Chevy Bel Air Concept Car To Pace Route 66 Rendezvous, September 19-22

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Something sexy and curvaceous with its sporty top down is expected to turn hundreds of thousands of heads when the 13th Annual Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous gets underway, Thursday-Sunday, September 19-22. The 2002 Chevy Bel Air concept car will capture the spotlight when it leads the pack of 2,448 vehicles for a "cruise" through the downtown streets of San Bernardino.

"Chevrolet is revved up to lead this historic cruise that pays homage to our nation's first transcontinental highway that spanned 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica," said Bill Beasley, marketing manager for Chevrolet in GM's Western Region. "The festivities provide a fun-filled opportunity for Chevrolet to share one of its cool concept vehicles along with a host of hot new product with car lovers."

With its "old-meets-new" persona, the Bel Air concept makes the perfect lead car for the Route 66 Rendezvous cruise. Car enthusiasts from around the country will flock to the Inland Empire event to showcase their prized vehicles - whose model years span the past century - in the largest Route 66 celebration in the Western U.S. Beyond the parade of vehicles, the event boasts 35 blocks worth of free entertainment, including classic car and hot rod displays, live music, plentiful exhibits, and more.

The 2002 Chevy Bel Air concept car blends tradition and innovation in a sporty, two-door convertible package. It is designed to capture the original spirit and elegance of its legendary 1955-57 namesake, but with a twist - a refreshing new style and contemporary performance that are definitive marks of today's technology. Beyond the modern exterior and natty interior, the real excitement comes at the push of a button on the steering wheel that triggers a spark, turning the car from an efficient five-cylinder to a high performance powerhouse instantly.

"This concept plays to people who are rediscovering the fun and excitement of the popular Bel Air from the 50s, as well as a whole new generation of drivers," said Beasley.

With its signature beltline kick-up, prominent egg-crate grille, distinctive headlamps and gas filler cap hidden in the taillamp, the vehicle presents a sleek package that draws on the expressive flair of its predecessor. Sliding inside, one discovers a simple yet elegant passenger compartment with retro touches. The interior features a twin-element instrument panel, steering column-mounted gearshift and bench seats that are covered (like the front seats) in soft high-technology fabrics, in colors that match the exterior. And with its somewhat taller profile and higher driving position, the vehicle's proportion recreates the comfort, visibility and ease of entry and exit of the cars of the 1950s.

Under the hood, the Bel Air sports a Vortec 3500 turbocharged inline five-cylinder concept engine based on the highly-regarded inline engine family that debuted in GM's midsize sport-utility vehicles. The all-aluminum engine delivers up to 315 horsepower (hp) and 315-lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a Hydra-Matic 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to the exciting Bel Air concept, Chevrolet will bring a bevy of its hottest cars and trucks to the Route 66 street festivities. More than 10 Chevrolets will be on display for enthusiasts to explore, including the new 2003 SSR roadster, a 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette, a Camaro 510 (with 510 hp), a Corvette Display Chassis, a tricked out Impala Sport and Cavalier LS Sport, award-winning Avalanche, a 2003 Silverado 1500 with Quadrasteer, and more.

As the "Official Vehicle" of Route 66 Rendezvous, Chevrolet plans to celebrate with the public by giving away free mini diecast replicas of the SSR and ever-popular Corvette. Fans can visit the Chevrolet display, located on 3rd Street in the Washington Mutual parking lot, to play a fun-filled vehicle game for their free gift.

For more information about the 2002 Bel Air concept and other Chevrolet vehicles, please visit www.chevrolet.com. Further details on the Route 66 Rendezvous are available at www.route-66.org.

Chevrolet To Rev Up Route 66 Rendezvous Festivities, September 19-22

Chevy Celebrates 13th Annual Event With Interactive Display, Free Diecast Cars, And More!

• Wishing you could take home a FREE Corvette or hot new SSR? Well Route 66 Rendezvous fans can (sort of) by visiting the Chevrolet display... Fans are welcome to play a fun-filled vehicle game to receive a free mini diecast replica of either the SSR or ever-popular Corvette.

• Chevrolet will bring more than 10 of today's hottest cars and trucks to the Route 66 festivities, including the 2003 SSR roadster, Corvette 50th Anniversary Corvette, a Corvette Display Chassis, a Camaro 510 (with 510 horsepower), a tricked out Impala Sport, award-winning Avalanche, new 2003 Silverado 1500 with Quadrasteer, and more. At the display, car enthusiasts will be able to check under hoods, ask questions and pick up literature on any of Chevrolet's products. Chevrolet's display will be located on 3rd Street in the Washington Mutual parking lot.

• Fifty years ago, the very name "Bel Air" conjured up images of movie stars, seaside mansions and lazy summer days. And Route 66 Rendezvous stands as a nostalgic celebration of the first transcontinental highway built back in 1926. So what better choice for a pace car at this historic event could be found than the 2002 Chevy Bel Air concept car with its "old-meets-new" persona? The Bel Air concept is a modern American convertible built on the tradition of the legendary 1955-57 Chevys of the same name.

• When it comes to heritage designs, cars are the likely place to find them. So what happens when you try to blend heritage and modernization in a truck? Quite possibly the 2003 SSR, a roadster featuring pickup truck-style versatility that blends heritage and modernization in one stunning package. A concept vehicle named for production, the SSR will be on display in all of its hydroformed steel glory at the Chevrolet display.

• Chevrolet continues a long tradition, again serving as the "Official Vehicle" of the 13th Annual Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino.