Chevrolet’s 1955-57 automobiles would become known as the “Tri-Fives.” Production numbers for the three years exceeded 4.5 million cars, including the seller’s 1955 Bel Air convertible. This automobile is described as a “barn find” and we’re told it’s in “solid” condition which the photos don’t confirm or deny. Located somewhere in Massachusetts, this drop-top is available here on craigslist for $32,000 firm, with no exceptions. Thanks, T.J., for bringing this car to our attention.
Unfortunately, we don’t know what this classic has been up to for the past 67 years. The broken odometer reading is a placeholder at 100,000 miles and we’re told the car is “all original” which is another way of saying it’s either a survivor or not restored. There’s a dirty V8 engine lurking under the hood, which should make it a 265 cubic inch motor paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
The two-tone Bel Air, one of 42,278 convertibles built that year, doesn’t run and no mention is made of what it might take to change that. Drop-tops were not offered in the other two main series (150, 210) so if you wanted to see the USA in your Chevrolet in an open-air car, the Bel Air was your only choice. The body and paint seem to be okay here, but the rear bumper comes across as being in the early stages of pitting. And the trunk lid doesn’t close properly, perhaps bent?
If you believe in NADA’s predictive powers, a top-notch ’55 convertible could be an $84,000 car. If that’s true, then the seller’s asking price may be fair. But better photos and a more detailed product description would likely help this car change hands faster.
This is what I drove in high school and college. (Paid $600) This outside color scheme is what mine was from the factory. My interior was the red/tomato and white color combo. When I got mine it had been changed over from the Powerglide to a 3 speed manual on the floor. The paint was incredibly bad and it had a 1956 front end on it. I put on a ’55 front end, replaced the very poor top with a cheap black one from Warshasky’s (otherwise known to mail order people as J.C.Whitney) (drove right up there and picked it up) and painted it a light grey primer. Installed dark center ET mags, installed 6 passenger wagon springs (as the originals sagged quite badly as the converts came with regular sedan springs) and drove the wheels off it. After a week of ownership I installed a +.030 over 283, 300 HP 327 cam, factory 4 bbl. intake, a new WCFB carb and a Saginaw 4 speed. (go ahead and try to duplicate that! The convert has an additional “X” added to the frame like an Olds or Buick, it is almost impossible to get that transmission in!) It was still too heavy to be fast but I never got beat by any 390 GTAs or low HP 396 Chevells.(it was always a dead heat) Great car to have in high school! While college the engine started burning oil (It might have something to do with no air filter for the entire time I owned it about 150,000 miles!) and I had no place to work on it.So I traded it off for a 1968 340 Dart that was stolen soon after purchase.
Being a passionate driver , aka nascar racer
I can only see this as a custom car as they adapt easily to the modern engine /trans/diff/brakes/wheel set up
But i wont be the buyer so not my choice
Yolo
If this is as advertised and there is no rust, it is a good thing I am across the country or this would be in my garage. Love everything about it, and it is a good value too!
Nice car,I would like to have one.They were affordable in the 70s and early 80s.(what wasn’t).Wouldn’t be a buyer at that price.Seems like a lot for a car that you need to winch on the trailer:-)
The engine looks like it’s non original. It shod have the old oil bath air filter. I also think that my Dad’s 55 with the 265 had silver valve covers. Just visual clues!
I happen to think that the 55 was the nicest looking of the tri-5s…simpler and not as garish as the 57. Anyone remember the movie “The Morning After” with Jeff Bridges, Jane Fonda, and Raul Julia? Bridges drove around LA in a ratty looking version of this car.
What’s with the way the deck lid fits?
I had 3- 55 Chevy’s, two were convertibles. I gutted one for the interior. (Black Naugahyde, forgot to put top up in Fl. 90+ degrees with bright sun Red matching stripes on back and butt.) Put 283 power pack heads and 327 manifold and ignition on it. Also 10 coats powder blue lacquer and 2 coat clear coat.
With a new convertible top it was real head turner. Car was a real sleeper, would out run Corvette on dead stop to 50 MPH. Punch it at 45 and in length
of 4 lane intersection would hit 70MPH.
I believe the oil filter was an extra cost option
George, I believe that the optional oil filter was only on the 6 cylinders. The 265 and early 283s had a canister oil filter.
ROTFLMAO $32,000.00 And It Don’t Run. That’s OK Because The Can Push It Across The Block At B-J or Mecum
Fond memories of the spring of ’57 when a friend not only got his license but his mother’s ’55 Chevy convertible when he wanted it, mostly for either “double dates” with me and my date in the back seat, or, going to the stock car races with 3 other guys. I was 16, school was going well, my part time job was putting $ in my pocket, and I had friends, one with a ’55 Chevy convertible. It was green, maybe two toned green, and for the day, it was fast. Now, this red does not look right, but it has been a long time since I have seen one.
It’s a nice looking car. It makes no sense that the engine wasn’t cleaned before being photographed.
I guess it sold, posting deleted.