Vehicle Description
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
Over the past few years, many of the world's finest Tri-Fives have
graced our Classic Auto Mall Hallowed Halls. According to sales,
'55-'57 resto-mods are often considered our best offerings. This
was a highlight of years where the bow tie was really on top of
their game, and sales show this time and time again, and even today
the popularity is unmatched. We just cannot keep these in our
showroom.
And it's easy to see why when something like this great Bel Air, a
car that backs proven fuel injected 305ci V8 power with an upgraded
drivetrain and custom white vinyl and red cloth upholstery, is
shouting out for attention in our halls amongst all the others.
It's pretty evident that the goal of this Chevy's build was to
create one of the coolest cruisers on the strip. Judging by the
initial reaction, that mission was certainly accomplished! If
you're searching for a sizzling custom that mixes fully sorted
mechanicals with eye-catching aesthetics, you've found your next
classic. All in first year Tri-Five glory.
Exterior
Sealed in an older coat of Garnet Red, this slick Bel Air is the
beneficiary of an older restoration. That surfacing is founded on
panels that are holding well minded gaps but we do note some
imperfections on nearly all the lower sections in the form of
bubbling, evidence of body filler, cracking and spot ins. Not
surprisingly, this hardtop's sophisticated pigment creates a
fabulous foundation for a select array of mirrored bolt-ons. At the
front of the car, a guarded bumper traces a polished grille,
pristine parking lamps and chrome-trimmed headlights. At the top of
that grille, a sculpted hood centers a polished 'jetbird' between a
bright crest and mar-free glass that's seated behind polished
frames and polished windshield wipers. At the base of that glass,
factory door handles, "Bel Air" scripts, and ornate 'speed spears'.
And at the back of the car, a second guarded bumper frames factory
tail lamps and a second bright crest. 15-inch Chevrolet rally
wheels are all around and up are wrapped in 215/70R15 form from the
4th week of 2022.
Interior
Between the doors, a custom red and white cloth and vinyl interior
creates the perfect contrast for the Garnet Red paint that's been
sprayed across the car's dash and window frames. Front and center,
a white vinyl trimmed bench seat with deep red broadcloth inserts
mixes modern lap belts for the car front passengers. In front of
those seats, a stylish dual fan dash wraps bowtie-stamped stainless
around fully restored buttons and levers. Factory gauges cluster in
front of the black wheel and shout out the essentials to the
driver. A tachometer has been installed on the column and in the
middle of the dash we note a modern AM/FM/CD stereo along with the
display/controller for the Holly fuel injection. On the passenger's
"fan" perches the factory clock in a circle which is the base for
the second "fan" which sports gold Bel Air badging written in your
grandmother's handwriting. Floating in the middle of the
beautifully red carpeted floors and hump in the center of the front
bench is a T-handle equipped B&M shift lever topped with a
small black plastic surround. Floating above is a pristine whitey
tightey headliner.
Drivetrain
A lift of the jet bird adorned hood, and what to our wondering eyes
do we behold, but none other than a 305ci V8 right out of the year
1977 with a new camshaft installed. This sits nicely into the
restored engine bay and is fed by a Holley Sniper EFI system. It
has a TH350 3-speed automatic on the back. The rear axle is a 3.36
version, and headers evacuate spent fossils and dirty air
efficiently.
Undercarriage
Unrestored and intact could all be used to describe the
undercarriage. It has a dose of patina, road dirt and a few signs
of repair on the inner rockers and body mounts, but all remains
structurally solid. Independent coil springs for the front along
with power disc brakes and attached to the back are leaf springs
with power drums. Stainless steel mufflerswork with the headers
very efficiently and are makin' some noise.
Drive-Ability
A foot race ensued between this writer and his de-codehort to see
who would drive. Well needless to say being 20 years my younger I
lost, so I firmly planted myself into the passenger's seat. Here we
both enjoyed the crisp early Fall air rushing in the open windows
and experienced snappy acceleration, bias free braking, smooth
shifting, and a comfortable cruise. A good time was had by all, and
all was found to be in working order as to the functions of this
'55'er save for the radio.
Wrapped in a detailed, and older restoration that would probably
take a second mortgage to duplicate, this Chevy rolls on the right
side of impressive. It's a highly desirable Tri-Five that's been
carefully fitted with all the right stuff to be one seriously cool
cruiser. If you're dreaming of the perfect blend of lavish '50s
style and modern, reliable performance, you've found the ultimate
classic! Go Tri-Five... (and it does!!)
VC55B140234
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
55-1955
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
140234-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 55 1037D-1955 BelAir 2 Door Hardtop
BODY M17506-Baltimore Body #
TRIM Illegible
PAINT Illegible
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
