Recent evidence at Barn Finds suggests that 1955 Chevrolets come in threes, as this is the third one this week that has turned up for sale. Of those three, this Two-Ten might be the best candidate for a non-salt-state daily driver; it’s nice, but not so nice that you’d feel bad about subjecting it to the road’s whimsies. It has a reasonably powerful and economical six, a Powerglide to keep your left leg rested in those pesky traffic jams, and a new set of tires so you aren’t fretting about blowouts. Yes, it might be the perfect daily driver, and it’s currently being auctioned on eBay in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Its current high bid of $1,325 is clearly nowhere near reserve, but it also has a “Buy It Now” option of $11,500.
Advertisers have historically overused the term “all-new” when marketing a car with a new grille, new badging, or sometimes nothing new at all. In 1955, Chevy had a right to make the claim that “everything’s new!” In addition to a completely new body and a new optional V8 engine, the Chevy had less exciting features such as a 12-volt electrical system, suspension improvements, and updates to cabin ventilation. The standard six was, however, basically a carry-over from the previous model year; it’s the 235-cubic-inch version of Chevy’s “Stovebolt” with 136 horsepower when teamed with Powerglide, as it is in this “Neptune Green” sedan. As with this past week’s Bel Air Sedan, this car has had a splash of white on the roof to add a little contrast, a common and relatively easy-to-make upgrade.
The engine itself has had a recent valve job and “starts and runs good.”
The Two-Ten was Chevy’s midline model, between the One-Fifty and the Bel Air. It had a little fancier trim than the base model, but it sold in far greater numbers. In fact, the Two-Ten Sedan was the second best selling Chevy in 1955, with 340,222 finding homes, just behind the more expensive Bel Air Sedan at 366,293 units sold. The seller is clear that this is an extremely solid car with “driver-quality” paint. The interior is nice, and it appears that the upholstery is green cloth as the trim tag says it should be, but it’s probably seen some new upholstery over the past 70 years. Some dash lights need to be replaced and the headliner needs cleaning or replacement if the new owner wants to take those last steps toward having a really nice cabin.
With new tires, good brakes, and a working heater, this could very well be the daily driver with personality you’ve been looking for; just don’t subject it to the salt, please; it’s made it 70 years and has nothing more than a few small spots of rust on the “inner fenders” of the trunk. Over 1.7 million “all-new” Chevrolets were sold in 1955, and their popularity has endured because Chevy got it so right. Perhaps this one’s next home will be yours.
Sold 8:8/25 for $11,500.
Steve R
Nice car.
Four doors, are referred to as “old man cars. Not this one, though!
If I bought this car as a daily driver. I would remove the old cast iron Powerglide and install a 700R4 and change the intake to a 2 or 4 barrel Clifford/Edelbrock and install an aftermarket throttle body fuel injection system. (Keeping the old parts for a later return to stock is desired) If I remember correctly, these cars came with 3.55 rear gears. So the acceleration will improve with the 700R4 as well as the fuel economy with the overdrive and fuel injection. It does not appear to have the “optional” oil filter. So that would need to be addressed. Over time I would upgrade the brakes and tire/ wheel combo. And possibly a few suspension upgrades. What a cool car (although it already is) that daily driver would be. So for a total price of $25,000 or less, no one would have one like yours. And it would be a pleasure to drive.
They spared no expense on the battery.
After looking at the expired listing you can see the optional oil filter. So I stand corrected!