Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Professional, ground-up restoration completed in 2002
Street & Performance LT4 V8 / Street & Performance Tuned Port Fuel
Injection
GM 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
Custom leather interior / Air conditioning / Modern audio
All-original sheetmetal
15-inch American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels
Classic Performance Products 605 power steering
4-wheel power disc brakes
Upgraded suspension
Sale includes restoration photos and a receipt for the car's
engine
The classic car hobby hosts many awesome tri-fives that have been
painstakingly restored to better-than-new condition. But, as cool
as those cars are, their neurotic detailing and rabid adherence to
proven but outdated technology can almost become a selling
handicap. After all, when it comes to cars like Chevy's Bel Air,
which carry a timeless style that will forever be associated with
one of the greatest designs in automotive history - and one of the
greatest eras in American history, people expect something that
lives up to the hype, despite its age. That's why classics like
this stunning '55 sedan will ALWAYS be in demand. And given the
car's smooth V8, timeless color combination and comfortable leather
interior, it's hard to see why anyone would buy anything less. If
you're a fan of '50s Chevrolet design, but would rather sport a
competent cruiser than a chrome-laden period piece, this
razor-sharp Bel Air is your next classic!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Infusing curvaceous lines with glossy 2-stage pigment, this
fantastic tri-five is the recent beneficiary of a professional,
ground-up restoration that was conducted by Carolina Rod Shop of
Piedmont, South Carolina. The car's clean, black skin is stretched
over 100% original sheetmetal that's just as solid as it is
straight. Judging by appearances, that metal likely made its
permanent residence in 100% weatherproof storage once its clearcoat
was cut and buffed. And today, this Bel Air is the kind of awesome
classic that we all stare at, many of us fondly remember, and few
of us have the opportunity to actually own!
The '55 model is certainly the cleanest of the tri-five Chevys,
with its minimal trim and crisp, retro styling devoid of the
massive chrome and exaggerated proportions that typically
characterize '50s-era steel. At the front of this post, a guarded
bumper anchors a polished grille between chrome-trimmed,
factory-spec headlights and bowtie-branded parking lamps. At the
top of that grille, a fresh Chevrolet header is shaded by a classic
'jetbird' hood ornament. At the back of that hood, electric
RainGear wipers lead the eye to lightly tinted glass, highly
polished frames and correct chrome mirrors. At the base of that
glass, white-detailed trim compliments optional nail guards,
traditional door handles, an optional gas door guard and classy Bel
Air badging. And at the back of that trim, dual mode tail lamps
illuminate a second Chevrolet header, chrome Chevrolet emblems, a
second guarded bumper and polished stainless exhaust tips.
ENGINE
This sweet looking Chevy is powered by $8K worth of LT4 V8 that was
sourced directly from Street & Performance of Mena, Arkansas. Built
to tear up the street and wow show goers alike, the smoothed and
painted mill, which complements a sturdy iron block with polished
aluminum heads and a full outfit of Street & Performance chrome,
combines OEM reliability with razor-sharp performance. At the front
of the Jet Black block, a chromed accessory drive spins a
chrome-tinged alternator and polished water pump assembly beneath a
chrome, Chevrolet-branded air cleaner. Once air enters that filter,
it flows through a factory-spec throttle body to a factory-spec
intake that's bolted down over factory-spec internals. Distilled
fossils are provided by polished Street & Performance Tuned Port
Injection. Sparks are sequenced from a GM computer to proven Taylor
plug wires. Spent gases swirl through slick, ceramic-coated block
hugger headers. And cooling comes courtesy of a large radiator
that's fitted with a polished expansion tank, electronic puller
fans and Inglese Cool-Flex hoses. On the visual end of the
spectrum, polished valve covers, polished caps and polished
breathers perfectly complement trick dipsticks and hydraulic Eddie
Motorsports hood supports. The over-restored engine compartment,
which includes a smoothed firewall and polished support cowl, has
been completely finished to match the car's stunning exterior. And
niceties such as a polished water neck, chrome freeze plug covers
and a VDO fuel pressure gauge add the kind of fully-sorted details
that'll push enthusiasts right over the edge!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
The '55 Chevrolet is an extremely solid platform that's still being
enjoyed to this day. And one look under this Bel Air reveals a
fully restored, 61-year-old chassis that's stood the test of time
exceptionally well. During rehabilitation, the car's straight frame
and solid floors were undercoated, accented with Gloss Black
2-stage and finished with stainless hardware. Behind the stout
small block, a fluid GM 700R4 4-speed spins a familiar GM axle.
That drivetrain hangs in a fully restored suspension, which is
supplemented by subtle traction bars and Classic Performance
Products 605 power steering. Braking comes courtesy of four power
assisted discs. 2.5-inch, coated exhaust pipes frame coated
Flowmaster mufflers. And everything rolls on chrome American Racing
Torq Thrust IIs, which spin 225/70R15 Michelin X Ones around
bowtie-branded center caps.
INTERIOR
Open this sedan's doors and you're flooded by a sea of first class
aesthetics that were installed by Bobby Griffey of Knoxville,
Tennessee. The car's fixed bench and power operated buckets feature
pillowy leather surfacing. In front of those seats, a color-keyed
dash hangs bowtie-stamped stainless around a modern clock, Custom
Rod telemetry, modern air conditioning and a Chevrolet-branded tape
deck. Overhead, a leather headliner splits the difference between a
polished mirror and a leather package tray. On the floors, plush
carpet anchors color-keyed, bowtie-branded mats beneath billet foot
pedals. In the middle of that carpet, a custom console centers
small power window switches in front of large speakers. In front of
the driver, a leather-wrapped, Banjo-style steering wheel laps a
polished, tilting column. At the sides of the passengers, sculpted
panels hang billet handles between integrated kick speakers,
redundant window switches and body-matched door frames. And behind
the cockpit, a custom trunk ensures your luggage rolls just as
stylish as you do.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Photos taken prior to the car's restoration
Photos taken during the car's restoration
A receipt for the car's LT4 V8
A billet tag frame
Are you sick of the stuffy, old school tri-fives that dominate
today's classic car culture? Then this carefully upgraded Bel Air
is exactly what you need to restore your interest in boss '50s
style! Wrapping a smooth GM small block and fully sorted
mechanicals in timeless aesthetics and a professional, ground-up
restoration, this is a car that simply cannot be duplicated for our
asking price. If you've been dreaming of the perfect blend of bold
'50s design and modern Chevrolet swagger, wake up! It's time to
claim your classic.