I read an interesting statistic while researching this article. Model year 1955 was, of course, hugely successful for the Bowtie. In fact, 44 percent of low-price passenger cars sold were Chevrolets. And, get this, 24 percent of all new cars sold were Chevys. A staggering 1.8 million ’55 Chevy’s were produced (a 700,000 unit increase from 1954)! The 210 was a popular mid-range model (positioned above the base 150 and below the top-tier Bel Air), that balanced affordability with style. It was offered in a four-door sedan, station wagon, and what we’re featuring here, a two-door sedan called “The Two-Ten Delray Club Coupe.” This highly original blue bowtie looks like the same car from San Diego that was featured back in 2018. If so, it’s still in San Diego, still highly original, and is for sale here on craigslist for $39,500 firm. Thanks to Jack M. for sending this classic “Tri-Five” our way.
The seller doesn’t share any history, but states that it’s a highly original ’55 Chevy that’s still wearing its factory paint and interior (which is in great shape). Based on a color chart I found, the exterior color appears to be Skyline Blue with a contrasting Polo White top. As you can see, there are thin spots on the top front fender and hood (some call it sun-kissed patina) and primer gray paint is visible on both headlight eyebrows. The chrome and glass look decent and I’m not seeing any major rust or accident damage concerns. Chevy’s ’55 sales brochure shows the 210 with dog dish hubcaps, but they probably could’ve been ordered with the now classic full-size wheel covers.
The interior is said to be original. If so, it’s in remarkable condition to be 70 years old. Maybe the seats were covered in plastic at one time to preserve them, but they look great with very little visible wear. The 1955 Chevy sales brochure shows this exact blue and white Delray interior with the same attractive vinyl seat pattern and door panels. The brochure bragged that “the Delray interiors are smartly fashioned in two-tone combinations to harmonized with a wide range of exterior colors.” The sellers also says that the original AM radio still works.
This Delray left the factory with a 265-cubic-inch V8 (which was a $65 option). It was rebuilt at some point, has 91,000 miles on the clock, and is said to “run perfect.” It is paired with a three-on-the-tree synchro-mesh manual transmission. Chevy’s ’55 210 Delray Club Coupe was a popular choice back in the day and sold 116,406 units. You still see them today (many in restomod form), but not many as highly original as this one.
The exact same outside colors and interior I had in my ’54 210. First time I’ve seen one like it, especially in a ’55. Blows my mind. My history seems to be following me around.
Sweet ride – I miss my ’55. And their headlight eyebrows are definitely known to rust out.
I would rather have the one that sold on BAT for $ 40,750 yesterday with the 502 big block..
Looks like a racoon was hurt in this ad.
I thought people put those on antennas too.
My favorite car, nice to see an original Delray interior. If it was mine I would put it on Bring a Trailer. I have a 1955 Dealer’s Album, I took pics of a lot of the car’s but not a Delray, there’s also cool details about the new engine, check it out…
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.26808648508723155&type=3
“patina”
Who knew my beat up yellow 1978 Subaru DL coupe with sploches of red primer had “patina”.
I posted here a week or so ago about my first “real” car, a 55 210 sedan. I really liked the Delray interior, so I hunted down a real Delray with the blue and beige interior. The donor car was a somewhat unusual color combo, India Ivory lower with a Glacier Blue roof. I harvested the complete interior – seats, door/side panels, carpet and vinyl headliner and put it in my Cashmere Blue white roof 210. I also put BelAir quarter and door spears on. I usually ran it with Cragar SS wheels.
In 1979 I moved to inner city Minneapolis to go to college. My 55 was stolen and rolled over within a month of bringing it to the city. The above picture is after I hammered the roof up enough to drive it. The right quarter got hammered pretty good. I took all of the mechanicals – ’65 283, 3 speed overdrive and 4.11 rear including the P case positraction unit I had put in into my 55 Nomad. I was also able to use the rust free front clip after repairing a couple small dents. The Nomad is still running strong.
I put the 2 door shell in a barn and recently gave it to a nephew who is going to bring it back to how I had it. I have saved the Delray interior and Matt has the skills to resurrect it. He’s found a good roof and will install reproduction quarters. I can’t wait to drive it again!
My first car was just like this, but with black/white exterior paint. I drove it home for $225 in 1965!
@427Turbojet…
Looks like a Malibu in the background of your pic?
Cool looking 55 Chevy!!
66 ElCamino, sitting in my barn awaiting attention.
I think Dennis meant the red 64 or 65 in the way back.
Looks like a nice stash of projects!
The red 65 Malibu became a dirt track car after I fried the 230 6 cylinder. This would have been in 1980. It was pretty rusty, but looking back it was well worth fixing. It had a perfect red interior. Oh well, you can’t save them all!
WOW this one has survived the times and original unmolested and not made into a street rod restomod. Leave it this way!!
i have never seen this seat pattern used in a 55 other than that its solid looking. lot of money for it
This seat pattern is on the Del Ray model cars. Step between the 210 and the Bel Air.
Del-Ray was never the model of any tri-five CAR its just the interior option
That’s a “halo” car for me. 2 door poverty pack with a factory fitted (option) V8! No wonder the seller isn’t “giving” it away…………….