The 1955 model year brought big changes to Chevrolet. First, the cars were all new and would drive traffic into dealer showrooms, where nearly five million were sold over three years. Second, Chevy introduced its first V8 engine since 1918. The seller has either a Bel Air or a 210 Sport Coupe that looks to have been a stock racer at some point. Now it’s a roller with the front clip off, though the fenders have been set aside. Located in Lucedale, Mississippi, this major project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000. Thanks, Chuck Foster, for the tip!
Witness to this Chevy’s potential racing days is the roll bars in the interior, the driver’s name above the doors, and the “Jive Talkin” decal on the sides. Considering that phrase is from the disco era of the mid-to-late 1970s, that’s probably when this car found itself doing time out on a track, with few modifications per the seller. According to the seller, this Chevy was driven until recently, though the car’s condition suggests it wasn’t driven last month.
On the plus side, we’re told the auto is not all rusted out, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to deal with some. The seller says there are a lot of new parts on the car, though they don’t seem to show themselves. Some of the extras are said to include front disc brakes, a set of Torque Thrust wheels, an aluminum radiator, and other sundry items. Apparently, the seller can hook you up with an engine and transmission at extra cost.
Though cash is king, the seller would consider a trade (if you bring it to him). The wants list includes a Jeep, hot rods, rat rods, trucks, and maybe another car. No title is available unless you insist on the seller getting one, so only a bill of sale is offered. This Bow-Tie is probably not complete, and you could likely undo any of the racing stuff if you wanted to go back to the date of build.
So many of the tri-fives had lived a hard life. Honestly the Fox Mustang is sort of in the same boat. Anyway looks as though this one has survived that. Quick story, knew a guy in HS had a 56 with 4:10 maybe 4:11 with a small block anyway he is out one night beating on it. So he says the tachometer just kept climbing in 4th. Yes it was but it didn’t seem to go any faster so he said. He was lucky, but car was not when the clutch came apart though the floor pans and tunnel. Parts even hit the roof. That 56 went to the yard. Glad to see this one has survived, but as the author noted I think this one has been dormit for a while. Be a great car to build as a racer, even recreate the paint, but docile enough for the street. Read the trunk lid and there is more to the story.
Definitely a 70s vibe going on there. I can’t imagine it’s been driven in the last decade but who am I to question 🤔 I think it could be brought back to a really cool vintage street legal drag car. Going to need a fat wallet though. I hope someone saves it. A 377, 350 block. 020 with a 400 crank connected to a 4 speed would be my choice of propellant. Pretty cool project
I’d totally mount a set of B(f)Gees on those wheels…
lol; very punny.
“Driven recently”, if recently means the 90s probably. No doubt it had a front end and everything that goes with it back then too. I like ’55 Chevys, but I generally like them complete at that price point. I can, however, see this car , when restored with the red and white paint, being a stunner.
What a sin!
Roll bars??
I see a hoop with no diagonal brace, no harness bar and no for/aft braces.
Unlikely it raced where are roll bar was required.
Positive note. Don’t see signs of exhsust tubing bends.
I had a 55 hardtop with a 327 340 hp Vette drivetrain back in the high school days..
Had chrome reverses, mr gasket inline shifter, headers, cam and kill switch tach . I miss the street racing in the BFE town at night 😎
This is high but its what the market will bear …
Slam a big block in it and drive it a 1/4 of mile multiple times on the weekend.
The paint color on that ’55 ain’t “red”, it’s “Dusk Rose”, which is kind of maroony, which I know about because my dad bought one as they were unloading it from the delivery truck…and the car itself is a two-door hardtop, aka the Bel Air. The ’55 210 line didn’t offer a hardtop, although there was a two door “post” called the Del Ray, which featured upgraded interior options, including a more luxurious vinyl upholstery that set it apart from the standard 210 models. Any questions? ;-)
OK, OK, the driver side door is red, but the rest of the paint visible on the car is Dusk Rose, which was a one-year-only color, replaced in ’56 by a similar but different Dusk Plum… ;-)
i think they are talking jive at 9k
I see that thing started out as a six cylinder doesn’t have the V insignia is under the tail lights
$9,000. Is that Mexican pesos?
I like the parachute. Wonder if it had a glass front end.
I always like seeing these steering wheels on 55 Chevs since that is what I always had on my 55 and 56s.
The parachute had as much use as the fart cans and the huge wings on 4 cylinder front wheel drive cars !
Restore “ Jive Talking “ back to factory condition, she’s done with the racing scene. Give back her dignity.