Vehicle Description
1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery
Sedan delivery vehicles were commercial vehicles, with generally
bare bones in terms of trim and had minimal non-essential features.
Spartan in their design, they mostly were used for light-duty
business use, delivering goods to customers. The various car
manufacturers that produced their Sedan Delivery models over the
years were after commercial markets that desired more cargo
capacity than the standard passenger cars and station wagons, and
also appeal to customers that didn't require a full-fledged truck
for cargo hauling. While at first glance, certain Sedan Delivery
models appear to simply be 2-door station wagons with the side
windows eliminated, there were typically further differences inside
the cargo area and in many instances, a single driver's seat was
used.
This 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery up for consignment mixes
business with pleasure. It received a total body-off restoration
and has been thoroughly upgraded from its original workaday
demeanor. The "freight" that this Sedan Delivery hauls is the
metaphorical variety due to its 450-horsepower big-block Chevy V-8
engine, (in other words, it hauls ass!). Power steering, disc
brakes, air conditioning and a modern dash system are all huge
improvements over 1955 O.E.M. features.
Exterior
1955 saw the introduction of the Bel Air Nomad, a sporty two-door
station wagon which featured frameless door glass and elongated
side windows. From this came the sedan delivery version we are
describing here. This all steel, rodded, covered window version is
a beautiful restoration bathed in charcoal gray metallic and looks
the part of the journeyman with some serious chops under all that
steel. With its chromed egg crate grille inspired by Ferrari, and
single visored Delta headlights now with LED driving halos on the
corner of either front quarter,it is the introduction of the
tri-five era and then some. Wrap around front glass, covered side
windows, and a large access rear lift gate allow plenty of room for
the goods or tools of your trade to be carried, in style! The paint
is expertly applied, the design is definitely iconic, and for this
writer the best version of the tri-fives, and based in recent sales
of the 55's I could be correct!? All of the chrome is all excellent
and shiny, and the glass is tinted. Some trimmings have been
removed for simplification and based on its status of the SD model,
this is apropos. No rust in sight, and shiny 17-inch front and
18-inch rear Show-wheels are wrapped in 225/45ZR17 front rubber and
235/50ZR18 rear rubber looking like new. Just a beautiful example
of a rare car with few surviving.
Interior
With its main purpose in life to haul the goods we can start in the
back for the cargo area. Here it's lined with laminate wood panels
from the gate to mid cabin, then gray carpeting takes over. Some
gray broadcloth covers the sides and wheel well coverings inside.
Floating on the gray carpeting upfront is a nice wide split back
bench which is made up of smooth black vinyl bolsters and tweed
gray tuck and roll inserts. The bench has seat belts added. Gray
carpeting covers the front floors as well, and in the center of the
hump is a Lokar shifter with a piston topper reaching for the
driver. Behind the Ididit tilt column is a billet styled rally
steering wheel and in front is a factory shaped dash with its
beautiful dual fan design for the driver and passenger. The dash
front has been modded as a Pete's Billet style dash with chromed
horizontal ribbing and dark gray steel rounded over dash top. The
gauges are all changed over to Dakota Digital readouts, an
aftermarket radio is in, as are Vintage air vents and controls
below the dash in the center. In front of the passenger is the
second fan bump up and this sports a digital readout clock in the
central circle below the fan design. Above is a nice tight paneled
gray tweed headliner. And the doors are done with tuck and roll
tweed and black vinyl to create just the perfect mix for said
panels. Billet cranks and actuators are now within this field. Just
a great job simplifying and modernizing this interior yet retaining
the original design.
Drivetrain
Stuffed under the hood in a completely restored engine bay is now a
massive 454ci V8. It has Edelbrock aluminum heads with satin black
valve coverings and Edelbrock badging in them. On top is a 4-barrel
carburetor and on back a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission with
a 2500rpm stall converter. On the back is a Currie rear axle
weighing in as a Ford 9 inch 3.50 gear ratio. Headers and a
Flowmaster exhaust are on for the exhale aiding. Supple hoses, and
an aluminum radiator are in to keep things all cool under here.
Undercarriage
Definitely competing with the topside for niceties, this all black
coated steel undercarriage is solid as a rock. It has 2.5 inch drop
spindles and independent coil springs for the front, and leaf
springs for the back. Disc brakes are on front and drums in back.
Plenty of niceness under here!
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and off to the test track all loaded up with my
gear and deliveries, I saw first hand just how good this car
performs. Fab acceleration, good handling, and a smooth ride and
shifting with bias free panic stopping on a dime. All functions and
accents were working great. I did experience a bit of a pull to the
left while driving, and the horn did not blow.
A sedan delivery and it definitely goes in tasteful non bragging
style, just proves itself on performance. A nice interior treatment
with modern upgrades. All you need to do now is make the purchase
and put "your name here" on the covered window sides and you mean
some serious business. What a great job, can you tell I'm in love
with this car?!
D55S022334
D-Sedan Delivery
55-1955
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
022334-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.