Vehicle Description
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
When the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air arrived, Chevrolet enjoyed an all
new image practically overnight. Rather than a car driven mainly by
dads and aunts, the sensationally redesigned "Motoramic" models
quickly gained a reputation as "The Hot Ones". In this landmark
year, Chevy finally had a bold response to Ford in the performance
battle: a lively 265ci V8 that would nurture a whole generation of
muscular engines. Better yet, that V8 was slipped into a fresh,
contemporary body sporting a rakish beltline dip and a Ferrari
inspired grille. Chief engineer Edward N. Cole earned credit for
Chevrolet's first V-8 in 35 years. Simple in construction and
economical to build, the 265ci Turbo Fire was a model of
efficiency.
For consignment, the first year of the Tri-Five craze coming to
life in our South Hall, (subject to change!), of the Classic Auto
Mall and sporting 96,271 non-verifiable miles as the title reads
Mileage Exempt. Undergoing a motor change to a 327ci V8 engine,
added on A/C, power steering, some custom body touches, a racy
black vinyl interior, and an eye-catching paint job, this car will
draw in looks no matter where you go. Think of it as a one man
parade down Main Street on wheels!
Exterior
Starting up front, it's simple egg crate grille has been removed
and now we see within white Ferrari style mouth opening, a 1953
Corvette toothy grille leading the way with shiny mirror like
bumper on bottom, and single chrome high output headlight on either
side with an oval turn signal below. The beginnings speak loudly to
all the custom work to come on the exterior. Crispyclean white
covers the entire car and is highlighted by flames licking rearward
from the louvered and shaved hood. Yellow and orange make up the
flames,but the cool factor comes in with the blue highlighting
around the hand done edges. This paint is of the 10 footer category
and shows with inclusions, areas of body filler that have started
to bubble out, and runs in the finish over the rear wheel arches. A
chrome trim spear mid-section of the front quarter runs rearward
through the door, where it comes to an abrupt halt. With its
starting point on the total surround of the passenger compartment,
a chrome trim piece works its way rearward towards the mid rear
quarter, which takes us to the back of the car. This spear combo is
the delineation between the upper and lower panels and lines of
this beautiful design. A side view will give you a hint of the
design that created the craze with these car's introductions,
showing curved front and rear deeply tinted glass, all surrounded
by chrome trimmings. On the back, gone are simple lamplighter style
tail lights, and now we are met with fins and boomerang style inset
tail lights courtesy of a 1956 Packard. Wrapping up the tail end of
things is some flourish pinstriping and another beautiful bumper
with dual pipes hedging a look out of the bottom of this beautiful
creation. On all corners are shiny 14-inch Cragar SS wheels wrapped
by staggered width radials in blackwall form.
Interior
A black interior, consisting of the door panels, headliner and
seats, all have been installed during the build. Black vinyl with a
factory correct tuck and roll pattern are on the door panels which
are like new. Inside, a black vinyl bench with door matching tuck
and roll horizontal inserts sits in a now black factory seat frame.
The rear bench presents the same and has easy access with the flip
of split front bench. The original steel dash, fronted by a black
1959 Impala style steering wheel sits in front of the benches in
its dual fan bumped, black and a repeating stamped bowtie pattern
stainless banding presentation. An aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette
radio, (a radio was not standard on any of the Tri-Fives), center
mounted glove box, and lots of shining knobs and levers add to the
dash, along with a nice speedo in the driver's side fan and a
speaker in the other, emblazoned with the 50s style type font
actually named Bel Air, but I like to call it your grandmother's
handwriting! Some aftermarket gauges hang below the dash along with
an output vent for the added AC and a chrome handled Hurst shifter
growing from the black carpeting. The headliner is near perfect and
also shows in black.
Drivetrain
Within the unrestored engine bay is a 327ci V8 engine based on the
HC stamping code. Some billet bling has been added in the form of
flame etched valve covers and an air cleaner lid. An Edelbrock
intake and 4-barrel carburetor is on top, and on back is a Saginaw
4-speed manual transmission which throws power back to a 3.36 rear
axle.
Undercarriage
Let's stick to the theme of unrestored but honest underneath, with
no rust, a solid frame, body hangers, and floor pans. Throw in some
dual exhaust with chambered mufflers, and independent coil springs
and leaf springs to make up the front and rear suspension, and drum
brakes are on all 4 corners. We note power steering has been added
to make your tight turns and parallel parking much easier.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the keyed ignition and all 8 are fired up and ready for
the test track. This car is a screamer with plenty of power, good
braking, excellent handling, and a smooth cruise. All the controls
were working like a charm. I'm ready for my drive-in experience.
Throw 6 people in the trunk and let's get through the gate and pop
open the case of beer we brought too. I found the horn did not
work, but all else worked as intended. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
We have several examples of the Tri-Five cars here at Classic Auto
Mall, and this one certainly should be on your must see list, if
indeed you fancy these bow tie years. Nicely done on the custom
aspect, a visual piece of eye candy, and mechanically a turn key
car ready to go and show. Talk about attracting attention, and it
will not even have to leave your driveway. All snappy with the
flamed paint, custom body work, and plenty of added trimmings, it
could also rest in the center of your holiday table. It is that
juicy! (but you'd better have that approved by your other half
first...)
VC55T248163
V-V8
C-2400 Series
55-1955
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
248163-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
