1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

For those of you looking for a clean early V8 Chevy, one that has that old-fashioned look but a few invisible upgrades that don't change the car's personality, and a love for a quintessential 1950s look, then perhaps this 1955 Bel Air hardtop is for you. It breaks no new ground, it isn't radical, and it doesn't reinvent the wheel. Instead it's a very clean, simple cruiser that has a crisp-running small block and a great '50s vibe.

The light yellow and white combination on this Bel Air will stand out clearly from all the bright red or black resto-mods running around out there. The cowl tag is a little vague on the original color, suggesting this car was a special order, but the light yellow with a white top looks quite authentic for 1955 and the sheetmetal underneath stands up to scrutiny. It's not perfect, of course, showing some signs of age and use, but if you want a car that you can get in and drive without a second thought or a nervous glance at the clouds overhead, then this is an ideal choice. There's a wonderful shine that will really respond to the regular wax jobs you'll be giving it and the fit of the bodywork is quite good overall. The goal was a very correct-looking 1955 Chevy, and that's what they got with all the stock trim still in place, shiny chrome bumpers, and factory ornaments like the little V8 badges under the taillights remain intact.

The white interior is just a few months old and gleams with brand new upholstery in the traditional pleated style. The same white vinyl is used on the door and side panels, and with dark carpets on the floor, it has a traditional and very stylish look. A few body-colored accents such as the window garnish moldings and dashboard add some contrast. Subtle upgrades like the late-model tilt steering column with leather-wrapped wheel and an AM/FM stereo radio with speakers on the rear package shelf are neatly integrated into the design and don't stand out at a glance. The factory instruments monitor the basics, but you'll note that there are now three gears in the automatic shifter quadrant and white-faced auxiliary gauges under the dash monitor the engine's vitals. Obviously, there's virtually zero wear anywhere inside, and the trunk was not neglected, as it carries fitted carpets and a contrasting white spare tire cover.

No surprises under the hood, where you'll find a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8, and it fits like it was born there. A late-model block was rebuilt and given an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and a set of headers, so it has plenty of punch off the line. Edelbrock also supplied the chrome dress-up kit and with a big aluminum radiator up front, this car is happy in traffic or out on the open road. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission feeds the stock rear end, which has a set of short gears that make it feel quite quick around town. A Camaro front clip adds power disc brakes and a great-sounding dual exhaust system produces smiles every time you turn the key. Stock steel wheels with hubcaps wear 215/75/15 whitewall radials that perfectly capture the 1950s look with more modern ride and handling.

A tidy shoebox Chevy, this '55 Bel Air is exactly the car you want for having fun but not worrying about the little stuff. Call today!