Vehicle Description
Cool resto-mods don't turn out this cool without a lot of planning
and a lot of effort. Featuring brilliant red paint, a stout stroker
motor, and a sumptuous interior, this 1955 Chevy 210 Del Ray 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 isn't easy, and making it look unique
without radical alterations is a trick in itself, one that the guys
who built this 2-door seem to have mastered. Straight sheetmetal
and correct detailing give this '55 an honest look that will earn
both respect and admiration on the street, because everyone digs
the '50s. Bodywork is extremely well done, and with that slick
Torch Red and white paint, the effect is both contemporary and
vintage. Two-tone Bel Airs are timeless, and nobody will argue that
it doesn't give the car a more appropriate look, especially with
the bright colors and all that chrome. During the rebuild, all the
original trim, brightwork, and chrome appeared to have been
replaced because it's all really shining up like new. Although the
paint was completed in 2002 and shows a few very minor signs of
use, 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 has all the right moves.
Perfectly complimenting the bright exterior is a wonderful black
and white interior, a subdued combination that would look right at
home in a much more expensive vehicle. The original bench has been
stitched in custom patterns, with black squares and swooping white
accents that frame it all wonderfully. Stylish door panels were
tailored to match, and they worked hard to make it look this
stylish, with slick black paint on the dash, window moldings, and
steering column. The original dash is intact, with modern
instruments (including a column-mounted tach) and a shiny trim
strip that spans the entire width. A/C has been added using an
under-dash unit, and yes, that's a 4-speed manual transmission with
a Hurst shifter. Entertainment comes from an AM/FM stereo, and a
set of auxiliary gauges flank the A/C vents and provide accurate
information about the engine's vitals. The black carpets are plush,
the headliner is taut, and there's plenty of room in the backseat
for all your friends. Out back the trunk has been custom finished
to match the cabin, housing a relocated Optima battery, a custom
Chevrolet panel, and a full-size spare tire.
The engine is a 383 cubic inch stroker motor that's rated at 430HP
and 435 ft.-lbs. of torque, thanks in large part to the added pop
provided by Fast Burn aluminum heads. It's fed by a Holley 750CFM
4-barrel carburetor on a high-rise Edelbrock aluminum intake
manifold and there's a Pertronix ignition system that sparks the
engine to life with ease. All the equipment was new when the car
was built, so it starts instantly and idles well, but delivers the
substantial big horsepower punch. Block-hugging long-tube headers
feed a custom dual exhaust system with Edelbrock performance
mufflers, and things like power steering and power front disc
brakes were added when the upgraded front end was swapped in. The
chassis is quite tidy and clean, with nothing hidden by
undercoating, and with 3.08 posi gears out back, it's punchy around
town but cruises at highway speeds without a lot of drama. Chrome
5-spoke wheels were given a high polish and then fitted with fat
BFGoodrich white-letter radials to finish the awesome look and set
the stance perfectly.
With a high-quality build and all the creature comforts, this '55
Del Ray is a cruiser you can buy affordably and drive with
confidence. Call today!