1955 Chevrolet 210

Description

This is one heck of a shoebox. Originally born as a 210, this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door is now one of the coolest resto-mods we've seen, one that retains all its original character but puts a slightly modern twist on it all. Paint, chrome, and interior are all just a few months old, and with a snarling 400-inch small block under the hood, it's more than just another pretty face.

Silver and white were available in 1955, but in the pastel '50s, it just didn't catch on. Today, however, it gives this incredible Chevy just the right look for its combination of old and new. Borrowing from a late-model Chrysler color pallet, the silver and white pearl paint was applied about six months ago and looks quite impressive. Obviously it was a full disassembly, and every square inch of exposed steel was refinished with modern urethane paint, so it'll look great for years to come. Bel Air trim was added during the build, and on the 1955s, it provides a natural break line for the two-tone paint, and all of the trim was either new or re-plated before it was installed. Add in a slight window tint, some blue-dot taillights, and California bumpers and you have one heck of a good-looking Chevy. This car was built to impress, and we're confident you'll agree the builder accomplished that feat in spaces.

A traditional look blended with modern comfort and convenience features makes this Bel Air daily-driver comfortable and show car stylish. The original bench was wrapped in supple ultra-leather whose subtle colors make it feel more like a high-end luxury car inside than a vintage Chevy. The same stuff was used to create original-looking door panels and a plush headliner overhead. Daytona carpets were beautifully fitted and echo the colors used outside, while the entire dash was restored to like-new condition, making it hard to tell where old and new meet. The steering wheel and tilt column blend seamlessly and both the AM/FM stereo (with CD changer) and the Vintage Air A/C system were expertly integrated into the original design. The original gauges were restored and they're assisted by a trio of Sun Pro white-faced dials hanging under the dash on the driver's side. In back, the trunk is as functional as ever, carrying a reproduction rubber mat to protect the freshly painted trunk area.

Built by Matt Bishop, the 400 cubic inch small block V8 cranks out big block power without the weight. Topped by three deuces with GTO-style air cleaners and a pair of aluminum heads, it has a vintage performance vibe, but with an estimated 410 horsepower on tap, this thing moves like no antique you've ever driven. It's not terribly flashy under the hood, which was purely intentional, and instead it has a somewhat OEM look and feel that makes the quality all the more apparent simply because it's not hiding under a bunch of chrome. The stout small block is backed by a TCI 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission and powers 3.42 gears out back so it pulls like a freight train but settles down nicely on the highway. Power front disc brakes and a fat sway bar make it feel confident on the road and vintage gray Torque Thrust wheels look right and match the car's color scheme perfectly.

Exceptionally well built and quite fresh, this is the shoebox Chevy you always wished you had time to build for yourself. Well, wait no longer, this one is ready today. Call now!