Vehicle Description
Cool resto-mods don't turn out this cool without a lot of planning
and a lot of effort. Featuring brilliant black paint, a stout small
block, and a sumptuous interior, this 1955 Chevrolet 210 2-door is
the perfect cruiser to take on a cross-country jaunt this summer,
and will knock 'em dead at the local cruise night.
Building a cool Shoebox is easy, but making it look unique without
radical alterations is a trick in itself, one that the guy who
built this coupe seems to have mastered. It was finished in early
2016 and it keeps most of its factory sheetmetal and correct
detailing, which give this '55 an honest look that will earn both
respect and admiration on the street. Bodywork is extremely well
done, especially for a black car, and with that miles-deep paint,
the effect is both contemporary and timeless. Single-color 210s
tend to be pretty rare, but nobody will argue that it doesn't give
the car a more serious look, especially with a few tasteful
deletions, including the hood ornament, door handles, some
stainless trim, and trunk ornament. During the rebuild, all the
remaining trim was straightened, polished, and buffed to a
spectacular shine, and any chrome that was staying on the car was
expertly restored. The finish is spectacular, with almost no
evidence of use, proving once again that there really is no
downside to any Shoebox Chevy when it's put together this well. And
while it's not exactly a sleeper, this sweet little Chevy gets its
attention when you're up close and can really see the attention to
detail.
Perfectly complimenting the sinister exterior is a basic black
interior, a beautiful combination that would look right at home in
a much more expensive vehicle. The original bench has been
recontoured and stitched in period patterns, with a simple pattern
that looks almost OEM. Beautiful door panels were tailored to
match, and plush black carpets line the floor, controlling noise
and heat so it feels luxurious inside. The original dash is intact,
with custom Auto Meter instruments in a trick polished panel that
fits like OEM but looks contemporary. A/C has been added using
discreet vents and an under-dash control unit, and that
neat-looking steering wheel is a 15-inch piece from a later Impala.
There's an AM/FM/iPod head unit in the dash with speakers hidden
throughout the interior for a clean look and great sound. The trunk
is also beautifully finished, with plush carpets and custom side
and back panels, including an access door with a custom embossed
logo.
The engine is a 406 cubic inch Chevy V8 fed by twin 4-barrel
carburetors that are famous for making prodigious torque. All the
equipment was new when the car was built and it has just 211 miles
on it today, so it starts instantly and idles well, but delivers a
big-horsepower punch. The Edelbrocks work with a set of fast-burn
heads, a roller cam, and an electronic ignition system to make
power without sacrificing reliability. Ceramic-coated Sanderson
headers feed a custom dual exhaust system with electric cut-outs
and Flowmaster mufflers, and things like power steering and front
disc brakes were added during the build. The chassis is quite tidy
and clean, with the floors protected by spray-on bedliner material,
and a TH400 transmission combined with Gear Vendor Overdrive makes
highway cruising easy. It's plenty punchy, too, with 4.11 gears in
the 12-bolt rear end, which is fortified with a custom cover and a
big sway bar. Classic 17-inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels
were given a high polish and then fitted with 235/45/17 front and
255/50/17 rear performance radials.
With a high-quality build and an A+ list of components, this '55
Bel Air is a rod you can buy and drive with confidence and show
with pleasure. Call today!