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 mufflers work 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.