1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

A 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop is a true dream car for most of us. And this one lives up to all that nostalgia with an award-winning restoration that has made sure this remains a true V8 icon worthy of distinction.

The well-presented look of this desirable hardtop is no accident. There was a comprehensive restoration completed in 2004 with the aim to create one of the cleanest and most accurate cars possible. The trim tag tells us the Cashmere Blue and India Ivory is the factory-correct two-tone. It was finished to the kind of show car standard that could have introduced the small block at GM's 1955 Motorama. So with this superior level of restoration, the coupe went on a spree of racking up AACA awards for over a decade. When it left the restorer's hands in 2017, it went into a museum in Florida. It was sold back into private hands in 2020, where the tradition of care continues. In fact, you can still see how award-worthy the finish is because there are under 100 miles on the odometer, and that represents the full mileage since the restoration. Even the undercarriage looks like it hasn't seen road dirt. That's why you can see everything from the red oxide paint to the recreated factory markings. And the full brightwork package remains complete, correct, and stunning. So you get everything you love, including the wraparound bumpers, jet-inspired hood ornament, and bright trim highlighting the pillarless hardtop profile. It really is authentic, right down to the color-matched wheels with premium bow tire hubcaps and whitewalls.

The interior shows a similar level of care and authenticity in the restoration. The factory-correct blue and beige coordinate with the exterior color to give this a nice flow inside and out. This has all the best details, like the smooth twin cowl dash, side vent windows, working dome light, and an AM radio that still works. Even the rarely-seen air conditioning option looks correct everywhere you look (it will need servicing to blow cold again.) And as you slip into the driver's seat, everything from the ridges of the rubber floor mat protecting the plush carpet to the thin grip of the artful steering wheel feels like pure driving nostalgia.

Part of what makes these cars a legend is that 1955 was the first production year for the small block V8. So when you open the hood, it's great to see such an authentic 265 cubic-inch V8 still so proudly displayed - right down to the Chevrolet script valve covers. This VC-code Bel Air was born a V8 coupe, and while there were no numbers-matching block stamps in 1955, all the casting dates put this in line to let us believe this is the original powerhouse. And the details like the air grabber, decals, battery topper, A/C compressor, generator, and valve covers are a true commitment to authenticity. The low mileage is a reflection of deep respect for this coupe, and so it has been maintained correctly where it fires up eagerly and would be a confident cruiser if you were looking to hit the streets. It even has the nice driving features of a loaded 1950s machine, like a Powerglide automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes.

The sale comes complete with a comprehensive binder that includes the owner's manual, A/C manuals, a list of awards won, magazine feature articles, and detailed restoration photos. This is the Bel Air that has been given the big investment and proper care to make sure it represents top-tier icon status. Call today!!!