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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air: Restore Or Rod?

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

From David F – Wow, a 1955 Chevy 2 door hard top! The body looks original, but the 6 cylinder stick shift has been swapped for a V8 automatic and the column has been swapped for a newer one. I have happy memories of our ’55 and that steering wheel is a glaring insult to this Chevy! It is currently in the Los Angeles area, find it here on craigslist, so the rust shouldn’t be too bad if this is a California car, but you can sure see the rust. The body looks straight, except for the right rear corner (ouch!). Could the paint be original? This could be worth the $9500 they are asking, but this Chevy seems like a candidate for a serious and expensive restoration. Because it’s not very original, perhaps a modern suspension, engine, bodywork, respray and an interior are all in order? The engine runs, but after seeing the steering column and interior, who knows what sort of work has been done to the car. There are lots of possibilities for the Chevy. What would you do with it? Special thanks to David for this find!

Comments

  1. Avatar Mark E

    Okay, I grew up in a time where a ’55 BelAir with blue-dot tail lights meant only one thing…a rat engine under the hood and smoking tires under the rear fenders! Replace that doofy steering wheel/column and it could be 1972 all over again! ^_^

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  2. Avatar JW454

    Good examples of the Tri-Fives are getting harder to find but, at $9500.00, I’d think this one is priced a little high. I had two 1957 Bel-Airs and One 1956 210 2 door. The mid-fifties Chevys have run their course with me so that may be clouding my judgment but maybe I’ve just moved on. The car itself is well worth saving though.

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  3. Avatar redwagon

    could it be original paint? ah, no. see the trim tag picture and look at the door jambs. geez, look, think then write.

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    • Avatar RickyM

      Bit harsh – at least David is using his own spare time to contribute to this great Website. I know I do not have time to do write-ups so contribute finds to the guys when I can. Instead of criticising, have a go at contributing instead?

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  4. Avatar MH

    I agree. redwagon is a jerk! He’s not doing anything to help he just likes finding other people’s mistakes. We don’t need people like him on here. This is supposed to be fun.

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    • Avatar JW454

      Redwagon, it sounds like it’s unanimous, you are a Jerk. Maybe you can find a place where they appreciate that sort of thing. We don’t need it here.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Ed P

    This looks like a good candidate for restoration. The body looks good with some repairable rust. The SBC was a good upgrade, but that steering wheel must go. Same thing with those misplaced sideview mirrors.

    Like 0

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