Is your Bel Air made in Occupied Japan? I ask because I have a Bel Air that was made there. She will sew through anything and when I am mending (yes, there's that word) DH's jeans, she is my go to machine because she can handle multiple thick layers and not break a needle or whine about the work load.
Mine is black with a case that has a green crocodile hide style finish on the outside. She came with a mummified mouse!
Chris