How startling must the 1955 Chevrolet been when it was unveiled on showroom floors in late October 1954? Some Chevy buyers were certainly taken aback, and anecdotes from those who worked on the car say that the 1956 Chevrolet front end was the result of slow(ish) initial sales that were attributed to the Ferrari-like eggcrate grille that the 1955 model so stylishly wore. They may have jumped the gun, because once everyone realized how great the new Chevrolet was, all was right in the land of the bowtie. While fans of Shoebox Chevrolets flock to the two-door hardtops and post coupes, a good number of them, even in top-line Bel Air trim, were sedans with the old 235-cubic-inch six, like this 42,000-mile example in West Seattle, Washington. Barn Finder T.J. spotted it on craigslist with a price tag of $16,500, and it has a long list of maintenance and repairs to make it a reliable driver.
With all the glitz and flash of the new 265-cubic-inch V8, many car fans forget that the base engine was the old “Stovebolt,” which produced a not-too-shabby 136 horsepower in Powerglide trim such as we find on this car. Six-cylinder Chevrolets had the radiator mounted in front of the core support to accommodate the six cylinder’s extra length, an interesting way to use what you have. Even though the Chevy has only 42,000 miles, 70 years is a long time, so the engine has been resealed with new front and rear main seals, along with new valve cover and oil pan gaskets. The Powerglide transmission has been rebuilt, the radiator recored, a new water pump installed, the carburetor gone through, the ignition tuned up, the exhaust manifold replaced, and more. The seller says that it “cruises down the road at 70 mph with no problems.”
The brakes have been “fully serviced” with new wheel cylinders and hoses, and the power brake booster “works like it should.” The ball joints have also been replaced and the steering checked. I always enjoy considering why people would have ordered a car the way they did, and a car with power brakes but no power steering is an interesting, if not particularly uncommon, combination.
If you’re an “options nerd” like most of us, you’ll also enjoy the fact that this is a “radio delete” car with the appropriate blanking plate where the AM radio would be installed. I guess some people are better suited to being alone with their thoughts than others. The upholstery is apparently original to the car, but the carpet and headliner have been replaced, as has the trunk mat.
The Bel Air has has one new paint job in 1979 and rechromed bumpers somewhere along the way. An interesting note: the paint code of 588 signifies that this car was originally painted “Skyline Blue” top and bottom, but the top was given a tasteful coat of white (India Ivory?), most likely when the car was repainted. That’s not an uncommon modification, and it certainly doesn’t detract from the car’s looks or originality (unless you are the purest of the purists). This is a nice car with a well-documented history; having been sold at Buchanan Chevrolet in Spokane when new, it’s been a Washington car its whole life. It might seem that $16,500 is a lot of money for a sedan, but tri-five Chevrolets have been selling for a lot more than their contemporaries for decades. This looks like an excellent chance to buy a car that you can enjoy for the rest of the driving season without having to worry too much about repairs or maintenance.
I always thought that the “purity” of the ’55 design makes it the best looking of the Tri-Five Chevys.
I had one exactly like this in 1963. Whilst on the 101 fwy in California, was hit from behind by a farmers truck. Car, skidded into the median and rolled over. All four our us crawled from the wreckage with minor injuries. Insurance paid $750 for the total wreck. These are built like tanks! Great car.
Nice well keep and maintained 1955. Leave it that way!!
A superb specimen survivor. Being 4-door it probably has a better chance of staying original vs having someone do an engine swap. BTW, my aunt had a 1959 she bought new, radio delete. Why? Because she was deaf. Maybe that’s why this one was a delete car as well.
If it’s really as nice as it looks it’s worth the ask in my opinion…
Reasonable price for four doors and a six cylinder. Nice car!
I remember my shock when these came out, after the dowdy 1953-’54 Chevys: LOVED that ’55 grille! — and I was so upset when they went back to a more traditional front for ’56. I would not want a radio-delete car: I play an A.M. radio constantly in the car. In the 1950s at least, A.M. car radios had some QUALITY, and you could CARRY a station for a far greater distance than the newer ones will now. In 1961, I bought a Zenith Royal 500H “pocket” radio, which is still in my daily use. I live about 200 miles from New York City, but that Zenith gets the major New York City stations clearly during the day, as well as all night. But, GOOD LUCK with that on my car radio! The New York City stations might come in well at night, but they are very hissy and faint during the day. If I had a ’55 Chevy with its original A.M. radio, that would out-perform even my reliable Zenith portable on distant and “fringe” stations! With any of these 1950s cars, just open-up the antenna to full height — and you were good to GO! I receive Philadelphia weakly on the Zenith transistor during midday, and it is nowhere to be found on my car radio. But a 1950s A.M. automobile radio would pull it in at noon in listenable strength (even though with some background hiss). But Boston would sound local (it is easy to listen to on the Zenith, with only slight hiss). On the way from Cincinnati to Dayton during the day in a 1951 Packard, I clearly had St. Louis on the car-radio. Why don’t they make them like that anymore?
To be clear, cars like these, without radios, were not “radio deleted”. Radios were an option. And if not ordered as such, there simply wasn’t one.
Thanks for stating the obvious.
Yeah, but people just love saying “radio delete”. Kind of like “2 door post”. Those terms were never used in the 50s or 60s.
Power steering was relatively new for American passenger automobiles in 1955. Prior to its introduction steering wheels were substantially larger for better leverage. That’s just way things were. This Chevy’s steering wheel is 17.5 inches in diameter.
Someone is going to get a really nice 55 for an amazing price!!!
Well, I was honored to have my car show up here. Sold to a local couple just a few blocks away from me this afternoon. The couple met 51 years ago and had their first kiss in a 1955 BelAir. Both were wonderfully happy and drove the car home today. Happy to have it go to a great local home. Thanks everyone for the positive input on this car. It found a wonderful home and I am happy to see it on to the next loving owners.
Congratulations! I’m glad it’s going to a good home.
Although the old rodder in me wants to put a v-8 in this with a 4spd.
I know the right thing would be to leave it alone and enjoy this beauty like it is.