Vehicle Description
Honestly, can you really do better than a bright red 1955 Chevrolet
Bel Air Convertible full of shiny chrome? You can't beat the look
of this frame-off restored droptop beauty, which has been further
punctuated with that awesome lowered stance, custom leather
interior, and upgraded 350 Corvette LT1 V8 under the hood that
offers plenty of performance. There are a lot fewer of these around
these days than you'd expect, let alone finished to such a high
level that demands respect. If you love the American icons from the
1950s, there aren't many that are more legendary than this.
Gypsy Red is a quintessential color on a Bel Air convertible, and
if you're looking for attention, you won't be able to escape it
whenever you're behind the wheel of this beautiful droptop. The
paint and bodywork were done not long ago (a scant 1504 miles since
the frame-off build) and it's simply stunning from any angle; this
car will make grown men stop and stare as you motor past with a
giant grin on your enviable face. Obviously, all the work was
finished to a very high standard, with laser-straight bodywork and
gallons upon gallons of deep, lustrous paint that shines up so
slick our photographer had to wear sunglasses while this Tri-5 was
in the booth. With only minor imperfections to report, and we're
talking stuff you really have to get close to spot, the bright red
finish has a great shine that you'll love polishing up on a
Saturday afternoon, and great panel gaps, proper fitment, and
straight lines you can practically set your watch to, all suggest
that this car has led a good life since I was comprehensively
restored not long ago. It's not a perfect showcar (although it's
close), and I'm sure the snooty, mustached 'expert' at every car
show will be able to find an imperfection or two, but you really
can't beat a Tri-5 droptop when it comes to curb appeal, and this
is one of the finer examples you'll ever find, especially at this
price point. By the looks of all that great bling that complements
the paint, the big chrome bumpers were refinished during the
restoration and all the Bel Air-spec stainless trim was either
replaced or removed, straightened, and polished before being
reinstalled and neatly aligned. It is about as far from subtle as
you'll find in a classic car, but that's really the point, isn't
it? If you want gorgeous, this Tri-5 Chevy delivers in a very big
way.
The interior is equally flashy and just as beautifully executed.
Custom wide-bench seats will accommodate six in a pinch, and the
pure 1950s look has been thoroughly modernized thanks to gorgeous,
treated Katskinz tan leather upholstery that's supple yet firm,
very luxurious, and durable enough to handle a cross-country road
trip. Bespoke door panels at the flanks feature red and chrome
accents along with billet hardware, while simulated wool carpets
are decorated with red Chevrolet floormats that put an exclamation
point on the high-end cabin. The builders were smart enough to
leave the original dash alone, restoring it back-to-stock to allow
the gorgeous factory design shine through, although they made
choice upgrades where they actually matter with Classic Instruments
gauges inside the V'eed bezel, a Kenwood AM/FW/CD/AUX/BT head unit
to handle the tunes, and an aftermarket R134a A/C system that was
cleverly integrated and is blowing ice cold. A leather-wrapped
billet steering wheel is mounted atop a polished tilt column to
give the driver added comfort, billet pedals were added below, and
there's seatbelts up front that add a little safety. A beige
convertible top from Sunning Land was installed during the
restoration, and it's power actuated with a crystal-clear rear
window, but we all know that it's for emergencies only anyway. Out
back, the spacious trunk is beautifully finished with custom
panels, matching carpets, and even an extra 'Dream Maker' mat in
the center for a little added flash.
Power comes from a great-running 350 V8 motor hooked to a TH350
3-speed automatic transmission that shifts through gears
effortlessly. And while there's nothing more traditional than a
small block Chevy in a 1955 Bel Air, a couple choice upgrades under
the hood make this classic more powerful, safer, and more reliable
than any stock '55 ever was. It's a Corvette LT1 block, and it was
built with Corvette aluminum heads complete with stainless steel
valves, bronze guides, and screw-in studs, a lopey Comp cam,
Sanderson cast headers, and a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor atop a
polished aluminum intake. The engine bay is dying to be shown-off,
with enough chrome and polished pieces to blind anyone not wearing
protective lenses, and all those bright components (including the
engine's chromed accessories, steel-braided lines, billet pulleys,
and bright Chevrolet valve covers and matching air cleaner) really
pop out from the smoothed red firewall. From the chromed
alternator, to the full HEI ignition, and the giant aluminum
radiator up front, this is a car that can be driven daily, and with
power steering and power front disc brakes it can even be taken on
cross-country trips at the drop of a hat. As you might expect, the
undercarriage is very clean a swell and features an updated Camaro
front clip and a heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end hanging on beefy leaf
springs and upgraded shocks, which also help adjust the attitude
and set that lowered stance. Polished alloys wrapped in staggered
radials really put the cherry on top.
A beautiful, high-quality car that neatly preserves the original
look and feel while adding a long list of upgrades that make it a
pleasure to drive. This is a fantastic Bel Air that's ready to be
driven and shown-off right now. Call today!