Vehicle Description
The true measure of a great design is whether it ages well. In the
case of this 1955 Chevy Bel Air 2-door sedan, the answer is
unquestionably that it is one of the greatest automotive designs of
all time. Nicely finished with a few upgrades, this shoebox Chevy
is a high-quality piece that is equally at home on the show field
or the highway.
Finished in basic Tuxedo Black, there's no mistaking a 1955 Chevy
for anything else. The design was game-changing when it was new,
and even today it remains a benchmark for all car guys. Sooner or
later, we all want to own a Tri-Five Chevy, don't we? The classic
lines and restrained use of chrome and brightwork make it difficult
to improve on the original, so the builder of this 2-door coupe
wisely chose to simply restore it and make sure he was careful with
it. Paint and bodywork are quite good, with a finish that's just a
light cut-and-buff away from being a show-stopper, despite being
finished a few years ago. Gaps are good all around, and the entire
car fits together in a way that modern cars just can't seem to
duplicate; pull the door closed and you'll know what I'm talking
about. Sure, it's got a few signs of use, but the quality
workmanship and excellent care work together to make this a very
appealing car even today. The chrome has been professionally
restored or replaced with exact reproductions, and the car proudly
wears its trim like jewelry. Even the red, white, and blue Chevy
emblem on the nose is a wonderful piece that offers crisp details
and bright colors.
Inside, this slick coupe got a nice upgrade in the form of handsome
white leather upholstery on the original seats, stitched into very
1950s-looking patterns. Matching door panels and light tan carpets
complete a very tasteful passenger compartment that's easy to love.
The original gauges and an Impala steering wheel retain the
familiar 1950s look, but the steering column is a modern tilt piece
that makes it easy to get comfortable. A Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo
head unit has been fitted into the original radio's location with
speakers throughout the passenger compartment. A period-style
under-dash A/C unit is backed by modern hardware so it works better
than ever. It doesn't seem to have seen much use, as the seats are
still firm and comfortable and only the floor mats show any signs
of wear. There's also plenty of room in the correctly finished
trunk for all your gear plus a full-sized spare tire with its own
matching cover.
Power comes from a great-running 350 hooked to a 4-speed automatic
transmission, making this an ideal car for road trips. And while
there's nothing more traditional than a small block Chevy in a 1955
Bel Air, the many upgrades under the hood make this car faster and
more reliable than any stock '55 ever was. There are dual 4-barrel
carburetors up top, and they've been tuned right because it starts
easily and pulls with enthusiasm. From the dual circuit power front
disc brakes to the alternator to the big radiator out front, this
is a car that can be driven daily without worries, and taken on
cross-country trips at the drop of a hat. It also looks great, with
Chevy Orange engine enamel and lots of shiny dress-up, including
aluminum center-bolt valve covers. Underneath, it's very clean and
tidy, but not so over-detailed that you're afraid to drive it, and
you'll never get tired of the purring dual exhaust with those
mellow Magnaflow mufflers. There's a new gas tank out back and it
rolls on classic Rally wheels with spinners and ultra-cool redline
radials.
No, it's not radical, but there's no question this 1955 Bel Air is
timeless. Put it in your garage and I guarantee you'll never run
out of reasons to take it for a spin. Call today!