Many enthusiasts are drawn to pristine classics, while others focus on high-end drivers that offer a more relaxed motoring experience. This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible fits into that category, presenting nicely and having only a few minor needs. Addressing its few shortcomings would be easy and inexpensive, ensuring it is ready for a spot of top-down touring when the warm weather arrives. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Bel Air listed here on Craigslist in Edmonds, Washington. The seller set their price for this beauty at $58,500.
The classic market is constantly evolving, as demonstrated by Chevrolet’s Tri-Five model range. There was a time when anything but a car from 1957 was largely ignored, but that situation has changed dramatically. People recognize that earlier versions are equally worthy of classic status, and the “right” car can command a healthy price. This 1955 Bel Air demonstrates that, presenting impressively in the Code 617 combination of Gypsy Red and India Ivory. The seller admits it was repainted years ago, and a close inspection will reveal minor flaws and imperfections. However, the paint shines beautifully, and the panels are free from bumps and bruises. Rust can be a problem with these classics, but the panels are clean, and the underside is rock-solid. The White soft-top fits nicely, and doesn’t look dirty or discolored. The trim looks exceptional for its age, and the glass is clear.
The positive vibes continue inside this Bel Air, which is trimmed in vinyl matching the exterior paint combination. As with the outside, any issues are too minor to warrant attention. The vinyl is wear-free, and the carpet is spotless. There are no significant paint problems, and the bright trim seems to be free of the “pimples” and deterioration that often develops with age. The Bel Air retains its factory radio and clock, and driving this gem with the top down wouldn’t be embarrassing.
Some readers may be disappointed to lift this Bel Air’s hood to discover it doesn’t feature a V8. However, its 235ci V8 still generates a respectable 136hp and 209 ft/lbs of torque. It feeds to the road via a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and although that means this classic won’t be fast, city traffic and open road touring shouldn’t be a problem. However, where this Convertible would truly shine would be cruising beachfront boulevards with the top down. You can be sure that people would stop and stare, acknowledging that this Chevy is a well-presented American classic. The seller indicates that the engine runs perfectly, with no smoke or odd noises. They believe the exhaust might be original, which is pretty astounding if true. It sounds like it might be on its last legs, and replacing it would be wise for safety. It appears that fault is the only thing standing between this Bel Air and plenty of summer fun.
I find myself almost irresistibly drawn to this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible because it presents beautifully while not being perfect. That means that weekend jaunts should be more relaxed than they might be in a pristine vehicle, because the occasional errant stone won’t damage flawless paint. Its rust-free status is a bonus, and the fact that it remains mechanically original ensures it hits the right note with purists. It isn’t the cheapest classic on the planet, but the seller’s price is probably realistic in the current market. It has only been on the market a short time, but are you tempted to give this beautiful Bel Air a new home?
In a continuation of sorts, from the 4 door, it’s tough to believe these 2 cars are from the same company. This was no family car, more like for that flamboyant, annoying cousin from California, that just had to rub it in. This car cost their folks about $2350 new, some sites say $2500, the all new V8, that they didn’t think junior could handle or didn’t trust it,,yet, was only about $65 more than the 6, but they did get the automatic at $178! They passed on that all-new a/c for $568 bucks! This was the top of the line Chevy in 1955 and surprisingly sold about 43,000 of these, and since they were a southern attraction, I bet many still are around today. Beautiful car.
The six was higher output with the automatic. I gotta believe that was a big draw. First thing I see inside these is how smooth and finished the steering column is compared to looking at the shift rod on the Ford.
I like this car, and God bless its six cylinder heart! These don’t need V8’s (why would you want to go 100 mph in a ragtop?) and if I had it, I’d put an Offenhouser split manifold and dual exhaust with glass packs on it so fast, it would make your head spin! Otherwise I’d leave the beauty alone, and drive it to Karz and Kaffeine meets, along with car shows. Of course, I’d keep an eagle eye on it to make sure no one tries to defile such niceness.
This is my personal favorite of the Chevrolet tri-5 era. It’s certainly a lot nicer version than the one that Jeff Bridges drove in “The Morning After” (with Jane Fonda and Raul Julia, RIP).
As nice as it is, nobody is paying $56k for a stovebolt tri-5 these days. If they ever did. Not likely.
It comes down to what the next buyer is willing to pay in 5 or 10 years and that’s even less than today, especially after the new owner puts some road rash on it. The interest pool for 1950s big-three cars is vanishing fast.
So this is a “catch the falling knife” scenario.
Nice car! Reasonable too. I came home from being born in a 1955 Charcoal and Coral Convertible in 1959. O’course dad traded it for a 1959 Rambler wagon as soon as he found out my brother was coming 11.25 months after me! (we are both the same ‘age’ 3 weeks every year.) It had a 283, don’t know if it was a 2 barrel or 4. I like this car! Flippers will prolly get it.
I meant 265 V8. The 283 came in 1957. My 1958 Cameo came with one and a three on the tree! Bought it in 1977, still have it!
The color and interior are exactly how my car in high-school came from the factory. Although mine came equipped with the 265 4 barrel, dual exhaust power pack option. When I got it, it had been changed to a 3 speed manual, floor shift, (which I later changed to a 4 speed), the engine was a used up 327 rhat I changed to a fairly hot rebuilt 283, and the front sheet metal was from a 1956. (and green!) It took me most of high-school to get the correct sheet metal on the car, a new black convertible top (that I got from Warshaski (alias JC Whitney) for free because they were supposed to have held a white one for me as I drove up from the south suburbs to get it.) And a coat of light Grey primer. So it was finally all the same color. I college I finally got it painted a Cadillac dark firemist metallic red with the cream white back portion. What do you expect from a high-school gear head kid?
A “V8” 235 stovebolt 6, eh??
Beautiful car! Because these appeal to a wannabe “American Grafitti” “hot rod” crowd, who would instantly install a big block and 5-speed manual shift, I fear for the originality of this one, going forward. But THESE days, $56K would work only for a show-car example just shy of #1 condition — not a “driver”. I personally would love to own this — and the first thing I would do would be to restore that original clock to like-new working order, just as it was in 1955. Then I would restore that original radio to work as well as it ever did. I would keep that old Stove Bolt six and automatic transmission, and just enjoy driving it conservatively (as I drive any car). “Performance” and “muscle” in a car are utterly wasted on me, because I never drive that way — and even as a teenager decades ago, I drove as your grandfather did. Avoided accidents and tickets that way. And the “Tri-Five I had was a Matador Red and white 1957 Chevrolet four door Two-Ten station wagon with a 283 under the hood, and it was an automatic. The factory A/C worked well, as did the A.M. radio. I avoided all of that fancy aluminium “flash” on the dashboard and rear fenders, by staying away from the Bel Air. I was out to use it and drive it, not to show-off. I had the back-up lights and rubber-tip bumpers and springy “curb-feelers” (to save those hard-to-keep-clean white walls!), and the gold V-8 trim pieces were nice. But it was a STATION WAGON, completely un-sexy “back in the day”. Over time as Tri-Fives are wont to do, it eventually succumbed to rust before it wore out.
WOW, She,s a real Beauty alright.