The “Tri-Five” Chevies were born in 1955 and – through 1957 – would account for combined sales of nearly five million cars. Their popularity was no doubt due in part to a new 265 cubic inch V8 – the first one in a Chevrolet since 1918. This ’55 Bel Air Sport Coupe was restored more than 30 years ago, so it has some battle scars to show for its age. But the frame and floors are said to be rock solid. Thanks to Mitchell G. for this yesteryear tip!
Chevrolet built more than 189,000 Bel Air Sport Coupes in 1955 as the make’s top-of-the-line product. This example left the factory as a two-tone, with India Ivory over Gypsy Red paint. The interior matched that combination. But some rust has taken to the driver’s door and deck lid and the interior at a minimum will need a good detailing. But the vehicle seems solid enough to “drive while you fix it.”
The odometer reads 21,000 miles, but that’s likely been around the block and we don’t know how many miles the car has covered since being restored the first time. That action was taken in the 1990s, so almost as much time has passed since then as before. We’re told the car drives like a ’55 Chevy, so it’s not likely as tight as you would expect for cars built in this century. The V8 engine is paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission which was a new offering in the 1950s.
This Bel Air has recently been treated to a new battery, oil change, and transmission service. Because the State of New York didn’t do titles in those days, the Chevy comes with a transferrable registration. Located in Yaphank, New York, this is a project car offered here on craigslist for $17,900 – and no trades will be entertained. Would you like to be the one to give this classic its second restoration?
Wow that’s a lot of rust. Gonna be a lot of patchwork or total panel replacement to restore this car.
This is a frame off restoration needed to get all the rust eating this hardtop up,
I find it interesting how one can just drive a car as the door slowly disintegrates. The door needs sandblasted…. then put a rust inhibitor on it after cutting sections out. Then rebuilt with metal welding and some bond to smooth it out. I would then put a half pan in each side. Then go thru the trunk and strip all the paint away from the car to access other potential attention needed.
The price is high for work required to get it back in non-rust mode. One could find one in the mid 30s pricing and save themself much time in the garage or charging up their credit card.
I had a 55 Hardtop in HS. The body was great and only one small patch in the passenger floor that was maybe 3” by 3” . Mine was running a 1963 Corvette 340 HP tied to a 4 speed.
Good luck with project car.
Please.
This was my “first” car, a four door, which I never drove. I paid $25 for it from a customer at the SOHIO service station I worked at when it was pronounced “dead”.
I made it known at my high school there was a car smash at the SOHIO, 3 smashes with a sledge hammer for $1. The football team rolled up and I just stood there collecting money while the testosterone flowed. The next day I had $100 in my pocket and towed it to a junkyard where I collected another $25.
That allowed me to get my first drivable car, a 1960 Corvair for $110.
The things we went thru to get a set of wheels back in 1965!