Even though this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air only started out with two shades of paint colors originally, Regal Turquoise and India Ivory, throughout the decades it’s gained others so if you dig patina this one might make a fun winter project for you. Not surprisingly, the Chevy is located near a wilderness area of Arizona, in the town of Apache Junction, and can be spotted here on eBay where the current bid is resting at $14,109. But be prepared to shell out more than that, as the reserve has yet to be reached.
The seller confirms his tri-five has recently been rescued from the confines of the Arizona desert, with one of those southwest-style bodies that require years of baking in the sun to get to how we’re seeing it now. While there’s plenty of top layer rust visible, the owner tells us that overall the body itself is in very nice shape with only a few areas of rust that actually go below the surface, but one issue to be aware of is in the quarters as a previous owner flared them out to fit a larger set of tires. He assures us the panels haven’t been damaged or cut, just know some sheet metal massaging will be needed here to return the steel to its original depth.
Most of the inside is going to require attention, with both seats reflecting an oven-baked appearance from their past environment, but I was surprised to see how well the dash and instruments seem to have held up. Granted, they’re not perfect, but I’m guessing there will be several salvageable items from this part of the interior. Unfortunately, the headliner is toast, and there’s not a lot of hope for the door panels either.
The engine in the bay now is not original to the car, but it will start with the battery/ hot wire/ jumper to the solenoid method, and once it’s running the seller says the motor makes a good sound. The transmission hasn’t been checked out due to a leak in the front seal, but removing them both and doing a complete rebuild is probably the way to go here. Better yet, finding something more potent and installing it instead will likely produce more satisfying results.
Whether you’re a fan of patina finishes or not, climates like these are friendly to the lower extremities and this ’55 is no exception, with the seller pointing out that the undercarriage is in nice shape, including the frame, trunk pan, and floors. So what’s the best way to move forward here, just get this one mechanically sound and fix the interior then drive it? Or is also axing the patina and getting the body straightened out followed by a fresh paint job the better choice?
The patina is so rich ! Restore to original color, no. I like this coloring, it just adds something. It will standout from all gaudy colored cars.
The inside difinitely needs some TLC. But thats it.
It would be nice if it runs.
This is kind of patina that Alex Taylor was going for when she built her very fast 55, which I really like!
Nice ride here, a great starting point. Hopefully the reserve isn’t too high so someone gets a great starter project. The next Blastphemi?
Fortunately, the headliner and door panels are the least of the issues.
I dislike “Patina” but clear-coat this one.
This looks like a Johnny Cash song…
I drug it out of the desert one piece at a time and it didn’t cost me a dime…
I would say get it running and driving and enjoy it as is for a little while then bring it back to a restomod driver with some nice improvements
No way ror that kind of money! Baked is right.no interior,no trans no paint bodywork oh yeah.wireing backed to a crisp, front end brakes,,rear end.on and on yeah,yeah I’ll hear we’ll go get one for less! I have,much cheaper no rust,drives . people are crazy.