The 1955 model year was a big one for Chevrolet. They would redesign their cars and consumer demand resulted in sales of more than 4.5 million units in three years. And, Chevy’s first V8 since 1918 would be introduced, the 265 cubic inch small block. The seller’s mid-range 210 is an original car with a numbers-matching engine and 2-speed Powerglide automatic. While it’s showing its age cosmetically, we’re told it’s a solid running machine. Located in Spokane, Washington, this survivor is available here on craigslist for $19,995. Not surprising, this is another great tip from T.J.!
Buyers were treated to three trim levels in the “Tri-Five” era of 1955-57. At the bottom was the 150, which offered few frills. Next up was the 210, like the seller’s car, with a little bit of panache. And, finally, there was the Bel Air for those who wanted to travel in style. With 70,000 miles on the clock, the seller’s 210 is categorized as a “true barn find” though we don’t see any barns in the photos. Because this vehicle has lived in a potentially cold climate for all of its life, it comes with an engine block heater!
The original paint is a combination of Shoreline Beige and Glacier Blue. It has its share of nicks, scrapes, and dings, but rust is not mentioned as being an affliction. The interior is also original, and the car came with no radio from the factory (I guess the original buyer didn’t care for that new thing called “Rock N Roll” – good that it didn’t catch on, huh?
Some recent work has been done on the mechanical side of things. Perhaps due to an extended down-period, the gas tank and fuel-sending unit are new. The same can be said for the radiator, now aluminum in construction. 1955 was also the first year for the 12-volt electrical system, though a generator was in play until the 1960s. We’re told everything works as it should and if you want to take it for a test drive, it should perform nicely. The big question now is, do you drive it the way it is or restore it to like-new?
Would certainly paint it and clean up under the hood. And then drive it.
Patina is just another word for ugly.
Would love to have a car like that, but restoring it on top of the selling price, would be out of my budget…and my house does not have a garage…and our winters here are harsh …but I love the 1955 !
How many doors? Cars guys know better than this.kinda like the king has no clothes.come on now.
“Car guy” does *not* mean “big block 4 speed 6 figures only.” If that’s what it means to you, you’re an “auction show guy,” not a car guy. Car guys appreciate all kinds and show interest in things other non-car people don’t notice because cars are just appliances to them. Someone somewhere has a 4-door tri-5 Chevy that they love more than any classic you could give them. They’re car people too.
That was my first thought. Nice, but man that’s a lotta doors for 20 grand.
Had a 4 door that came from Florida. A 6 cyl auto. It didn’t have a heater from the factory which was very unusual. It/me didn’t like the Oswego. NY Winter. So I bought a 55 wagon for the heater defrost set up. Pulled the 6 cyl from the wagon, then scraped the wagon. This was back in 1963.
It would be a good price on a 2dr, not so much on this car. A picture of a speedometer and a claim it’s original mileage without supporting documentation doesn’t cut it anymore, and never should.
Also, why no pictures of the interior? The seller went out of his way to list and show original details of the car such as original wiring as well as paint and trim codes yet doesn’t mention nor show the seats, headliner or floor covering. Often what’s omitted from an ad is as important as what’s included. If you are asking top dollar or above, it’s up to the seller to make their case in the ad, they’ve got the ability to include more pictures and information if they desire.
Steve R
Original interior – yup.
Interior image here:
https://www.totalwebmanager.com/TWM/Images/1264/328673/Full/102022294103839170.jpg
Reminds me of one I used to see a lot
in my hometown. Same color combo
but with a bit more rust. Would like to
find a 4-door sedan as the insurance
companies will charge you 3 times
the going rate to insure a 2-door car
here in Florida. All that aside, I really
like this car!
Don’t understand your comment about insurance. With a classic car policy, the agreed value is what your premium is based on, not the number of doors.
It appears to have less rust than a car this age normally would have. Here in Washington State it rains a lot on the western half but we don’t salt the roads, and the eastern half where this car is, has much less precipitation. This Chev is a better deal than the ’67 GTO on BF that’s just this side of rusted out with an inside out motor, for $22k.
As they sit the Goat is worth four times more than this Chevrolet.
As in, 4gs for the Chevy, 16 for the Goat.
But the Goat is nothing but a pile of rust. People must have a lot of money to throw away.
Not for this kinda money,just no.
Too many door’s.
Being sold by a dealer… no wonder the price is too high
Another goofy Craigslist ad. Not one picture of the interior unless you count the close up of the speedometer. But we get a picture of the original selling dealer sign and one taillight! And the piece de resistance; 20K asking price. Oh but it has “patina! It also has four doors. Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem with four door sedans. I’ve owned plenty of them myself. And maybe if it had decent paint and a nice interior we can start to dicker somewhere in the vicinity of the asking price. But we are left to guess on the latter and we all know that quality paint jobs are real expensive these days. Same old stuff. Unrealistic ask and a crap ad. Welcome to the hobby as it has become. Too many people watching TV auction insanity and thinking that their condition number three (barely) is a gold mine. Ok I’ll get off my soapbox now.
This car is probably on the south side of a “flip”. They bought it to sell it. Who knows what they paid. And therein lies a problem with the vintage car market.
Well said.
The originality is great But $20 K in this market??
Am I behind the times??
You are not behind the times unless you are referring to the increasing number of sellers asking ridiculous prices. It’s nothing new, just more noticeable as the supply of quality older cars keeps decreasing.
Steve R
Sure it’s still around somewhere , used to see a 4 door 50 Ford pro street painted black with white doors like police car, think it had Hawaii 5-0 on doors, do remember it had chrome 12 gauge pump mounted to dash, Louisville KY if anyone remembers..
A numbers matching 4 door is still a 4 door, I agree with the guy who said the billy goat is worth more. The only thing with any value, are the exhaust manifolds and even then they’re not worth the ride to get them or postage to send them
Nice car. But not at that asking price.
First of all , two many doors, 2nd of all two too many doors.
I guess this is somewhat rare as back in the 60s these were “Parts” cars.
Hard to figure how some survived this well…
Probably inherited it from some relative and figured they had a gold mine. Sorry. A rusty, 210 four door is not worth 20 grand. You would put 10s of thousands into it and never get out even what you put in it.
Like this one, my first car was a ‘55 210 4-door sedan. Unlike this one with a V-8, I had to make do with the anemic 235 ci “stove bolt” 6. I was 16 and of course had to install an 8-track, after all it was 1969. I loved it anyway, but never missed an opportunity to drive my grandmother’s’63 Grand Prix instead.
I absolutely love this Chevy. I love a 4 door and always have. Easier access to the back seat which is a good place to lay your jacket. I like the looks of a 4 door and the fact the doors are shorter in length than a 2 door. I would love to own this car but alas age and health say otherwise. GLWTS