1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

The tri-five Chevys remain among the most popular hobby cars for a few good reasons: great looks, lots of horsepower options, and practicality, all the same reasons they were a slam-dunk when they were new. For the hobbyist with a family, this 1955 Chevy Bel Air sedan delivers all the fun with the added bonus of a usable rear seat. Why not have your cake and eat it too?

The most striking thing about this beautiful Bel Air is the paint, which is a totally custom mix that's loosely based on a late-model Volvo color and which the creator calls Ginger Metallic. In person, it simply glows and combined with the cream-colored roof and tail section, it has a very period look about it without blending in with the crowd. The restoration was finished a few years ago but it still looks fantastic, offering eye-catching good looks that hide the fact that it's also a 4-door sedan. Of course, having four doors doubles the number of gaps to set and makes the restoration more challenging, but they seem to have risen to the occasion as all four doors open and close easily and show good shut lines all around. It shows a few minor signs of use but the shine makes it dazzling in the sunlight and we like the fact that all the original trim remains in place. That means a sizeable investment in chrome and stainless polishing, all of which pays off with a car that looks spectacular from just about any angle.

Familiar-looking patterns greet you inside but like the bodywork, the slight twist on the colors and textures make it special. That's ostrich skin leather on the seats, which offers a unique texture that works rather well here. Original patterns with contrasting tan leather panels keep the 1950s sensibility and there's plenty of stretch-out room thanks to the four-door body style. At first glance, the instrument panel looks pretty stock and nicely restored, but then you notice the custom center console with a set of Auto Meter dials, A/C vents, and a Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo system. There's also a tilt steering column and a woodgrained Grant GT steering wheel that ups the elegance factor quite a bit. The spacious trunk is beautifully finished with matching carpets and a few custom-fitted bits like the tool case and spare tire cover.

A warmed-over 350 cubic inch V8 provides just the right motivation for this awesome sedan. It's been customized with body-colored tinwork, including a late-model air cleaner, and the workmanship under the hood is quite professional. It was rebuilt in March of 2014 so it's extremely fresh and runs superbly thanks to a combination that has proven itself time and time again. There's nothing radical, but radical isn't the point in a car like this. Instead, it's reliable and plenty quick around town, and with new fuel and water pumps, no worries about being stranded. It's backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and the rear end from a Pontiac Bonneville, so the 2.29 gears inside mean it's a superlative highway cruiser. Power front disc brakes, power steering, and a new dual exhaust system all contribute to a high-quality driving experience. Custom-made Cragar mags are fitted for a traditional look and carry 225/75/15 whitewall radials.

Beautiful paint, a comfortable interior, and reliable, fun hardware make this 1955 Chevy a great candidate for the guy with a family who loves road trips as well as car shows. Call today!