1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

This 1955 Chevy Bel Air is a textbook example of how to do it right. Preserving all that's great about the original design, but upgrading it with a smart-running big block, an overdrive gearbox, a whole bunch of comfort and convenience options, and a beautiful interior takes it to an entirely new level. For guys who like to drive their cars, few are better than this.

The 1955 Chevy was such a game-changing machine, and is so beloved by enthusiasts today that radical modifications are almost never a good idea. The car just stands on its own as an icon, and the smart thing to do, as in this case, is to give it a top-notch restoration and add your own custom touches under the skin. The gorgeous two-tone India Ivory over Gypsy Red paint job is beautifully done with two-stage urethane paint that just sparkles under the sun, highlighting all the Bel Air's details. They resisted the urge to shave or modify anything, although a set of Fuel Injection badges were added in preparation for an injection system that was never installed. The workmanship is excellent, with good panel gaps and a ton of work that went into getting everything laser-straight before the paint went on. All the chrome and stainless trim remains in excellent shape and the car wears California-style 1-piece bumpers that make it look extra clean. Is it any wonder that fans consider the '55s the cleanest of the tri-five Chevys?

They went all-out on the interior, which includes leather buckets piped in red and flanking a hand-fabricated center console. Yes, those are plastic covers like grandma's couch used to have, but with light-colored leather, it's probably a good idea. Beautifully stitched upholstery front and rear gives it a consistent look and the trick door panels are like modern sculpture. A set of beautiful cream-faced dials by Classic Instruments monitor the vitals and the polished Ididit tilt column is topped by a custom wood-rimmed wheel. A/C was integrated into the overall design, using vents that are tucked into the kick panels and built into the center console, so it's effective as well as attractive. Cup holders are useful additions, but they're the kind of thing that you only miss once they're gone, so you know this car was built for cruising. A modern AM/FM/CD stereo system provides the entertainment for long highway cruises, something this car does extremely well thanks to the 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Dark red carpets provide some welcome contrast to the light upholstery, and the theme continues into the trunk where it's nicely finished, including a spare tire, jack, and stainless battery box.

Tons of chrome on a 402 cubic inch V8 means that you'll never hesitate to open the hood at shows. Built to run and finished to an almost OEM level, everything under the hood has been either plated or painted Chevy Orange and the detailing is quite well done. Extra attention was paid to the routing of plumbing and wiring, so it's very tidy in there and the satin black inner fenders make a great background for all that sparkling metal. Given how awesome it looks, it would be easy to overlook how well it runs, which comes complements of a Holley carburetor, a big cam, and a set of long-tube headers dumping into Flowmaster mufflers. A 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission means this Chevy is entertaining to drive just about anywhere, and the suspension is augmented with fat sway bars to keep it nailed down in the corners. Traditional Torque Thrust wheels look great and carry 215/60/15 blackwall radials.

A beautiful Chevy that has been fully sorted and detailed into the ultimate show and go machine. Call today!