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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 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 "Motorama" 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 265 cubic inch V8 that would nurture a whole generation of muscular engines. Better yet, that V-8 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 V8 in 35 years. Simple in construction and economical to build, the 265 cubic inch Turbo-Fire was a model of efficiency. For consignment the first year of the Tri-Five craze coming to life in our North Hall of the Classic Auto Mall. Undergoing an extensive restoration in the late 1990's, it still retains its spit shine and beauty in rust free steel panels, beautiful two-tone paint broken up by a belt line dip, and plenty of other chrome. A large power plant, beautiful interior, and nicely done all over are just a few of this star's shining features. A 1,2,3 O'clock 4 O'clock rock! Exterior
Starting up front with its simple egg crate grille with shiny mirror like bumper on bottom, and single chrome bezeled headlight on either side with an oval turn signal below, the beginnings remain simple on the embellishment front. Screaming red paint covers the front around this chrome, the hood, front quarters, doors and lower half of the rear quarter. This paint is very deep, and one can become mesmerized with its quality. 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 past the door sills, then heads downward towards the mid rear quarter, where it is met with another mid spear which takes us to the back of the car. This spear combo is the delineation between the red, and charcoal gray, which covers the roof, and trunk deck as well as the back of this car. A side view will give you a hint of the design that created the craze with these car's introductions, shows curved front and rear glass, all surrounded by chrome trimmings. On back, are simple lamplighter style headlights, a large cloisonn badge, and another beautiful bumper with dual pipes hedging a look out of the bottom of this beautiful creation. On all corners are shiny surfers cross styled 5 spoked wheels by Coddington, which are wrapped in low profile rubber...just stunning. Interior
Moving inside starting with the door panels, and let's just say the hits just keep on coming!! Using dark gray broadcloth, and light gray vinyl mixing together with more swoop spear-esque styling trim, the door panels emulate the exterior design. Tuck and roll stitched panels for the mid sections, and a thin strip of dark gray carpet below. Slipping on to the 50's styled bench, also in light tuck and roll broadcloth, and dark gray vinyl bolsters this split bench stretches from door to door. A rear bench presenting in the same fashion is in back and there is plenty of romper room back there. Fronting this is a dual fan dash with the gauge cluster on the driver's side, and badged speaker and round clock below on the passenger's side. This dash has been modernized with a lacquered burl wood strip in the center of the black metal running from door to door. Also, the gauge cluster is upgraded with a solid chrome insert in the gauge cluster fan housing Classic white faced modern instruments. Reflecting in this dash is a "phat" chromed tilt column with a billet style steering wheel drilled and surrounded on the edge by red vinyl. A modern fan/temp/A/C panel has been neatly fabricated to control the airflow and is right next to the steering wheel. A vintage looking Chevrolet bow tie cutout digital radio is now in the center of this dash. Below is a thick pile, clean, medium gray carpet which is pristine, and it is flooding all the floors. In the center a custom fabricated gear shift/center console which runs under the dash. Above is a tight light gray felt headliner. Also, a big shout out to the trunk, which is not to be outdone by the customized interior, it sports gray felt covered straight as arrows panels, and an original spare tire and wheel cover. Drivetrain
Within the red sprayed engine bay is plopped in a consigner stated 383ci crate engine with plenty of chrome bling. All surfaces have been either polished or chromed and are simply eye catching. In fact, it's hard to look away! Dual 4-barrel Edelbrock carbs are on top, headers are on the sides, and all hoses are corrugated metal. On back is a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission, and a 10-bolt rear. Undercarriage
Shall we stick to the theme of stunner underneath, with no rust solid frame, body hangers, and floorpans. Throw in some pristine exhaust, a new fuel tank, and a drip free bottom end of the engine, and we are in show car heaven. Independent coil springs and leaf springs make up the front and rear suspension, and power disc brakes are on the front and power drums now on the back. Drive-Ability
A push of the ignition button and all 8 are fired up and ready for the test track. This car is a screamer with plenty of power from those dual 4 barrels, good braking, excellent handling, and a smooth cruise. All the controls were working like a charm. I'm ready for my drive-in experience. 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. Well done on every aspect, a visual piece of eye candy, and mechanically a turnkey car ready to go and show. Talk about attracting attention, and it will not even have to leave your driveway. VIN DECODE
VC55T024957
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
55-1955
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
024957-Sequential Unit Number TRIM TAG
STYLE # 55 1011D-1955 BelAir Sedan
BODY # T2189-Tarrytown Body #
TRIM # 511-Brown & Beige Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT # 590-Copper Maroon 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.
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