1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

The true measure of a great design is whether it ages well. In the case of this 1955 Chevy Bel Air 2-door sedan, the answer is unquestionably that it is one of the greatest automotive designs of all time. Beautifully restored with a few upgrades, this shoebox Chevy is a high-quality piece that is equally at home on the show field or the highway.

Finished in bright Gypsy Red, there's no mistaking a 1955 Chevy for anything else. The design was game-changing when it was new, and even today it remains a benchmark for all car guys. Sooner or later, we all want to own a Tri-Five Chevy, don't we? The classic lines and restrained use of chrome and brightwork make it difficult to improve on the original, so the builder of this 2-door coupe wisely chose to simply restore it to an extremely high standard. Paint and bodywork are quite good, with a finish that's just a light cut-and-buff away from being a show-stopper, despite being finished in 2003. Gaps are good all around, and the entire car fits together in a way that modern cars just can't seem to duplicate; pull the door closed and you'll know what I'm talking about. Sure, it's got a few signs of use, but the quality workmanship and excellent care work together to make this a very appealing car even today. The chrome has been professionally restored or replaced with exact reproductions, and the car proudly wears its trim like jewelry. Even the red, white, and blue Chevy emblem on the nose is a wonderful piece that offers crisp details and bright colors.

Inside, this slick coupe got a nice upgrade in the form of two-tone vinyl upholstery on the original seats, stitched into very 1950s-looking patterns. Matching door panels and color-matched carpets that are almost exactly the same color complete a very tasteful passenger compartment that's easy to love. The original gauges have been supplanted by a set of modern dials from Classic Instruments that monitor all the vitals, plus a wood-rimmed steering wheel that looks great. An AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit has been fitted into the original radio's location with speakers throughout the passenger compartment. There's also A/C that uses the original controls, a 4-speed Hurst shifter on the transmission tunnel, and a new tilt column, all of which make it easy to get comfortable for long hauls. There's also plenty of room in the fully finished trunk for all your gear plus a full-sized spare tire with its own matching cover.

Power comes from a great-running 350 hooked to a 4-speed manual transmission. And while there's nothing more traditional than a small block Chevy in a 1955 Bel Air, the many upgrades under the hood make this car safer and more reliable than any stock '55 ever was. From the dual circuit power front disc brakes to the alternator to the big radiator out front, this is a car that can be driven daily without worries, and taken on cross-country trips at the drop of a hat. It also looks great, with Chevy Orange engine enamel and lots of chrome dress-up, including finned valve covers. Underneath, it's very clean and tidy, but not so over-detailed that you're afraid to drive it, and you'll never get tired of the purring dual exhaust with traditional glasspack-style mufflers. There's a new gas tank out back and it rolls on classic Rally wheels wheels with spinners and 225/70/15 white-letter radials.

No, it's not radical, but there's no question this 1955 Bel Air is timeless. Put it in your garage and I guarantee you'll never run out of reasons to take it for a spin. Call today!