The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is an icon in nearly every form, but in the world of hot rodding, few styles are as striking as the period-correct gasser build. This 1955 Bel Air 2-door sedan, listed here on eBay, comes as a solid gasser project with a clean title, a strong body, and significant suspension work already completed.
The seller notes that the car currently has no engine or transmission installed, though it is set up with a clutch pedal for a manual gearbox. The foundation for a proper gasser build is here, thanks to professional work performed by a hot rod shop for the previous owner. A straight tube front axle with disc brakes has already been installed, with clean welds and a quality finish that should give confidence to the next builder. The steering has not yet been hooked up, leaving the final setup to the buyer.
Cosmetically, the body is said to be in very nice condition, with no dents and only one small rust area on the driver’s floor. The seller includes a patch panel for that spot and offers to either install it or send it along with the car. Importantly, the rear wheel openings remain original and uncut, offering flexibility for the next owner to choose their direction.
The car retains its original ivory roof paint, which has cracked with age, while the faded yellow body paint could potentially be buffed out if a preservation-style finish is preferred. Despite its age, the seller emphasizes that the car shows no significant rust damage, which is unusual for Tri-Five Chevys and makes this project especially appealing.
Inside, the dash is described as very nice, and while the seats are old, their upholstery remains serviceable. The interior provides a clean base for either restoration or custom gasser touches, depending on how the next owner wishes to complete the project.
Originally sold in Southern California, this Bel Air also spent time in Texas and comes with an Oregon title, supporting the seller’s claim of a well-preserved history in dry climates. With its clean body, quality gasser suspension work, and unmolested wheel arches, this car represents a strong foundation for anyone looking to finish a vintage-style drag car or street-driven tribute.
Would you complete this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air as a full-blown drag strip gasser, or finish it as a street-friendly cruiser with gasser flair?
looks like a very decent car. I think I could get that gasser clip off of it in less than an hour and get started on a nice 55.
Or replace the entire frame with a used one or aftermarket, depending on what the next owner wants.
Gassers are sort of played out, most newer builds won’t go anywhere near a race track unless there is a show in the paddock. I have raced or worked at the track near the seller, you see lots of newer “gassers” roaming the pits for bigger races, but never racing. Occasionally you will see a vintage gasser make a few passes, but they aren’t competitive and lose early in eliminations.
Steve R
I agree with Steve, forget the gasser thing. There are so few of these still relatively original, the ’55 Chevy was groundbreaking, a wonderful car and should be returned to original.
In the Adam 12 episode “Anniversary”, the boys get called to a dispute at a used car dealer, where a Mexican man is trying to return a car he bought. That car was a ’55 Chevy 2 door, for $495.
That’s a 56 in Adam 12, but in the EP. The Dinosaur the Two lane blacktop 55 make a cameo….
Waaay too nice to cut up and ruin
a perfectly good ’55 tudor post. Me, I’d use a GM front clip with a
good running V-6 and 700R4 tranny for power. The ’55 rear axle should be able to handle the
power and torque of that modern
drive train just fine. Note to builders out there: There are enough stripped body shells lying
around waiting to be turned into
whatever your mind desires without ruining a machine that could be either restored or modernized as a daily driver. Yeah, Howard, I remember that
episode too. But I always thought the car in question was a
“56 210 4-door sedan. I’ll re watch it someday to see what it really is. Too bad they can’t make
TV shows like that today.
Its a 56 2dr 210 post with V8 emblems..
I’d put a stock front end back in it and build a nice street car. Those straight fronts never rang my bell even back in the 60s.
shame that a nice original car was hacked up. clean original cars are getting harder to find and to see 1 like this have this done to it hurts
Whoever did the welding on the frame deserves kudos. Good as I’ve seen. Since I’m a geezer I like gassers. Nothing says gasser quite like a 55-57 Chevy except maybe a 40’s Willys. One of the best things about tri fives is that they’re not exactly rare. Plenty of them for whatever you have in mind. Remember “Blasphemi” on Road Kill? Hemi powered! How neat was that? When it comes to the fastest trap time; well technology passed these relics by some time ago. But they still are cool IMO. If this old Chevy were mine and my magic wand was working; I’d LS it with a Tremec transmission. It’d be a blast to show up on trial night at the local strips. GLWTS.
Two Lane Blacktop anyone? I completely agree with Carbob. I too am an old dude, and the old gassers are a fond memory of mine. This thing could be the perfect Cars and Coffee player. Big block, tunnel ram, fender well exit headers, and I would be in car heaven. Just my humble opinion!
Maybe some of you need a “T” replacement program.
Or maybe some of us just have fond memories a time long ago.
A ’55 gasser is cool. But I would hate to cut up those wheel wells. (Which you would need to do to “complete” the gasses look. I would look for one of those fancy new style frames made to go under a tri5 Chev. They come complete with front and rear sway bars and independent rear suspension. The toughest decision would be what to use as a power plant. Lots of cool selection for under the power barn top.
You can run tall skinnies,mini tub,or not necessarily cut rear,use Nomad quarters that are available..
It needs a stack injected godzilla BBC, M 21, ladder bar 9″ and Nomad wheel well openings. Anyone can restore, it takes a real man to slice one up.
It needs a stack injected godzilla BBC, M21, ladder bar 9″ and Nomad wheel openings. Anyone can restore, it takes a real man to slice one up.
The suggestion about Nomad wheel openings is pure genius.
Leave the gasser front suspension, mount the rear spring on top of the differential. Then start looking for a real nostalgia engine, think 409 or even a 348, then pair it up with a 4 speed transmission. Put 4″ Cragars up front and painted 1/2 black and 1/2 white steelies out back. Nostalgia at its purest.
BIG gasser following in the southeast, they have their own association. Very entertaining meets.
Install a killer small block and Muncie. Love that gasser.
Leave the rear wheel wells alone.
I’m really torn on this one. While the nostalgia for a properly executed gasser with Nomad wheel openings would be epic, it’d be a brutal driver. On the other hand, replace the front clip, get some modern componentry & you have a great daily. I’d lean toward the latter.
I don’t believe that anyone that builds or owns a gasser project has any expectations of it being a sweet driver. They know that they are loud, generally uncomfortable, and ride and handle like a buckboard. But they also know that they are very cool cars, which is precisely why they have one. To them, sweet driver’s are for someone else. (As far as them not being competitive, check out the ’55 on Tic Tok called the Chick Magnet)