Vehicle Description
The true measure of a great design is whether it ages well. In the
case of this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door, the answer is
unquestionably that it is one of the greatest automotive designs of
all time. Beautifully refinished with a few subtle upgrades, this
shoebox Chevy is a high-quality piece that is ready to rock.
Finished in basic, but very glossy 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 to an extremely high
standard about ten years ago. Paint and bodywork are quite good,
with a finish that's showing a bit of age but nothing major that
needs attention. 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. The
chrome has been restored or replaced with exact reproductions, and
the car proudly wears all 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 cloth
upholstery on a pair of bucket seats, stitched into handsome
pleated patterns. Matching door panels and color-matched carpets
add to a very tasteful passenger compartment that's easy to love.
The original gauges have been joined by a set of modern dials under
the dash that monitor all the vitals, plus a low-mounted
tachometer. An AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit has been fitted into
the original radio's location with speakers throughout the
passenger compartment. There's also cold A/C, a B&M shifter on
the transmission tunnel, and a new tilt column, all of which make
it easy to get comfortable for long hauls, and there's plenty of
room in the fully finished trunk for all your gear.
Power comes from a great-running 350 cubic inch V8 with tuned-port
injection hooked to a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission. 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
safer and more reliable than any stock '55 ever was. Fuel injection
from a Corvette means it starts easily and idles well, hot or cold,
and the torque curve of the L98 is legendary. Other upgrades
include dual circuit disc brakes, a big alternator, and a big
electric cooling fan out front, making is a car that can be driven
daily without worries and taken on cross-country trips at the drop
of a hat. Underneath, it's clean and tidy, but not so clean that
you're afraid to drive it, and you'll never get tired of the
long-tube headers and rumbling dual exhaust singing their song.
Helper shocks adjust the attitude out back and it rolls on classic
Torque Thrust wheels with 235/70/15 Uniroyal radials for a super
traditional look.
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!