The owner of this 1955 Chevrolet 210 Sedan found it hidden away in a shed, and he purchased it about a year ago. He set to work having the vehicle returned to its former glory, but it is a project that has run out of steam. He has taken the difficult decision to part with the Chevy when the finish line is in sight, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Bellingham, Washington, and there have been a respectable 23 bids at the time of writing. This action has pushed the price to $18,100, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
When you are tackling a restoration project, it doesn’t hurt if you can start with a car that is basically in decent health. That was the case for the owner of the 210 because its rust problems were limited. He chose to have the floor pans completely replaced due to some minor rust, but that was the only tin worm in the car. The preparation work has been commenced to apply a fresh coat of Onyx Black and India Ivory paint, but some minor work is still required before this can be applied. This work appears to be nothing more than some finishing of the repairs to a few of the usual small dings and scars that a car can accumulate during its lifetime. The owner chose to follow an unusual path with this project, and it will be interesting to see whether the buyer decides to continue what has already been started. He intended to convert the car to a 150 Series while retaining the original 6-cylinder engine. However, it isn’t beyond the point of no return, so the buyer might decide to retain the 210’s original appearance. He hasn’t skimped on anything in his bid to achieve perfection with this classic. All of the glass, along with the gaskets and seals, has been replaced. He chose to adopt a vent window deleted kit for this, which looks pretty classy. He has also sourced new American-made stock appearance steel wheels. These wear new tires, and the wheel upgrade means that the car can now run a tubeless configuration. It appears that almost all of the external trim has been replaced, along with the gaskets and dust seals for the doors and trunk. That’s a pretty comprehensive list, and it’s a shame that the owner has chosen to sell with the finish line well within reach.
If you thought that the exterior work list was long, it pales when compared to the mechanical refurbishment that the 210 has received. The owner chose to retain the 235ci 6-cylinder engine and 3-speed manual transmission. However, that six has received a full check-up and shows solid and consistent compression across all cylinders. Both the engine and transmission have received all new seals and gaskets. It is said to be free from leaks and drips, meaning no ugly stains on the buyer’s garage floor. The work that the owner has performed is too long to list, but every aspect of this classic has come in for attention. The entire fuel system has been replaced, except for the original carburetor, which was treated to a rebuild. It is a similar story with the suspension, shocks, and radiator. Therefore, it is no surprise to learn that the 210 runs and drives like a new car.
The interior is one aspect of the Chevy that is yet to receive the magic touch, but that isn’t the source of any bad news. Included in the sale is a shiny new interior trim kit that is still in the boxes. This includes seat covers, the correct seat foam, door trims, a headliner, sound deadener, and the correct rubber floor mats. There are also plenty of smaller pieces, including a full screw kit. Once installed, this is an interior that will look factory-fresh. There will also be no faults or repairs for the buyer to chase because everything from the heater to the glove compartment light and every other gauge and light work as they should.
It’s always sad to see an owner who has poured so much time and effort into a project run out of steam with the end so tantalizingly close. I don’t even want to think about how many thousands of dollars he has outlaid to get the Chevy to its current state, but you can be sure that it has been a substantial amount. His loss is going to be someone’s gain. There is so little left to do that there is a good chance that the buyer could have the project finished and ready to go before the Summer months arrive. Tri-Five Chevrolets are as popular today as they have ever been, although the focus has tended to be on the 2-door variants. The 4-door sedan has tended to languish in the shadows, but there are a growing number of enthusiasts with families that search for these as a practical classic. If you are one of those people, then this looks like it could be a hot prospect. I’d love to think that one of our Barn Finders readers might pursue this one because I would love to see how it looks once the work has been completed. Do we have any takers?
So with that plain exterior and hubcaps, I wonder how many people will be thinking “oh, cool sleeper. I wonder what they got under the hood?”
…and how cool isn’t it when the owner pops the hood to show the world it’s still asleep…?
So much respect goes to those who keep an I-6/3spd combo in vehicles so equipped from the factory, and not falling to the temptation to BelAir-ize it. However I’m also realistic when I fear a 350/TH350 combo plus BelAir trim is coming its direction real soon…
I’m either half blind or read it wrong or really tired. Perhaps all 3? I see this as a 2 door but as I read the last part I get the impression it’s referring to this as a 4 door?
You mention 4 doors, but I am seeing only 2 doors.
I would have paid more for the car if he had simply sold the car as found.
Okay ..am i crazy to think that the pictures of sanded paint and primer touch ups meant this was Earl Shive’d on paint? (spaying over old future problems of peeling)
A 1955 is 66 years old and I would hope stripped to metal and primed then painted.
I like the tri-five car. I used ti have a 55 no post)
What’s not to love? 98% of the hard expensive work is already done, and it even comes with an interior pkg.? Unreal! I’m not a huge Chevy fan, but i like this `55. The ONLY change I would make is a set of period-correct whitewall cokers.
You know, not every `55 was a gypsy red/shoreline beige Bel Air HT. This 210 represents the other side of the coin. Nothing wrong with a blue flame 6 and 3 on the tree. People forget how basic these cars could be for the frugal buyer.
Well it needs a body job right off the bat. The pic where the car is masked off clearly shows improper spot repairs. You can see the spots where the rust was (mostly along where the fasteners are for the trim) and those spots need to be ground down to good metal and clean of every single morsel of rust, not just sanded with an orbital sander and and filled with a little bit of filler. Paint is going to bubble in no time. ‘Sellers black’ is what I call this. Spray it black so the imperfections can’t be seen in pictures and take those pictures standing 30 feet away.
lot’s of info and pics great job getting closer to home east coast thanks ….love that 55 BBC with a Muncie
So many incomplete restorations…. What to do, what to do…? The internet is rife with them and its a study in human behavior. I’m always mystified regarding the owners rational when I see them and the reasons are vast and often entertaining or sometimes tragic. None the less, this 55, as many other DNF’s is a fun project for completion provided the next owner doesn’t have to correct a incorrect restoration. Simple cars, parts everywhere and reasonably priced. As another individual commented herein, much respect for maintaining the original 235 driveline.
This unfinished project would have been worth more if the seller had just left it alone.
IMO this car should never have been taken apart. It should have been carefully cleaned inside and out and preserved. How many mostly original black 55’s are still on the planet? Unfortunately, there’s one less now …
I don’t understand the comment in the text about now being able to use tubeless tires??? These came with tubeless tires when they were new. What gives?
That is what my 57 210 was like. Would leave it just like it is. Put in the glass , new interior and enjoy it…I learn to drive a stick in it but never finished it…
I would add anti sway bars. They handle badly without them…
Well, I think this is probably gonna turn out to be a Falfa’s car clone – after the new owner takes out that heavier than a v8 ancient strait 6 & 3 speed.
Unless your in the market for a slug, that motor and transmission are going to the scrap yd, and that’s the first problem here, the guys got money into the mechanicals there many people don’t want, then he painted this car in a non booth environment, and the bodywork is in question,
Wing windows defined cars from this era. I don’t understand the concept of deleting them. This gem needs something, maybe just a set of Torque Thrusts or Corvette style ralleys, to set it off. Split dual intake and exhaust header on that fresh 235 and you’re ready for Saturday night. Next year we can make it a gasser.