Owning a pristine classic is an attractive idea that some find irresistible. However, this 1955 Chevrolet 210 Sedan isn’t pristine. It is a genuine survivor that wears that badge proudly. It is rock-solid and has never undergone any restoration work. That leaves its new owner to choose between preservation or returning the car to its former glory. The Chevy is listed here on Craigslist in the Pueblo Area of beautiful Colorado. The seller set a price of $10,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting a vehicle that will appeal to many of our readers.
The seller is sparing in their supplied photos, which is a shame because this Chevy deserves better. The car retains its original paint combination of Navajo Tan and India Ivory. It has worn heavily over more than six decades, but its condition is in keeping with a classic of this age that has been used as its creators intended. There is plenty of wear-through, which might prompt some to consider performing a cosmetic refresh. However, applying a satin clearcoat to protect the existing appearance is an option some may prefer. The panels have a few minor bumps and bruises, but the best news is that this car is rust-free. It has no history of problems, the panels are clean, and the underside is spotless. The trim condition is consistent with this classic’s history, and there are no glass issues. The 210 retains its original steel wheels and hubcaps, with the new narrow whitewalls adding a dash of class.
It would be fair to classify this car as an entry-level 210 based on its mechanical specifications. The engine bay houses the original 235ci “Blue Flame” six, producing 119hp and 202 ft/lbs of torque. That power feeds to the wheels via a three-speed manual transmission, and potential buyers shouldn’t search for power assistance for the steering or brakes. This isn’t a high-performance model, but the extraordinary flexibility of the six means it provides an effortless driving experience in heavy traffic. If the new owner pointed this classic at a stretch of highway, it would devour the miles without raising a sweat. The seller recently fitted a new radiator, which is the only significant change to the car’s specifications. It also received new tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and a water pump. It runs and drives perfectly, ready to take its new owner on a life of adventure.
The originality of this classic extends to its interior, which retains the Brown and Beige trim fitted at the factory. There is a small tear in the front seat on the driver’s side, and having that blind patched would be wise if a preservationist wants to avoid further deterioration. There are no other interior shots, so we’re flying blind when assessing the back seat and headliner. The remaining upholstered surfaces are free from physical damage, the dash is spotless, and the wheel is in as-new condition. There is no radio, but those seeking in-car entertainment on long journeys could always put a Bluetooth speaker on the seat to accept tunes from their cellphone.
I have never apologized for having a soft spot for any car wearing the Blue Oval badge. However, that doesn’t sway my opinion because I am, first and foremost, a classic car enthusiast. Therefore, I wouldn’t mind finding this 1955 Chevrolet 210 Sedan parked in my workshop. It is a practical vehicle for a potential new owner with a family, and the seller’s price is undeniably affordable. Choosing between preservation and restoration would be challenging for some, but that old maxim that “they’re only original once” would probably sway me to leave the car essentially untouched. I suspect it will find a new home relatively soon, but could it be yours?
Good grief Charlie Brown! What a nice classic for the money. Notice mileage wasn’t mentioned Adam. That underside shot is unbelievable. More pics woulda been nice 4 sure. Great write-up once again
That underside shot sure is unbelievable. It looks like it’s from a different car with no trace of rust or even dirt anywhere. How did this happen on a car that’s seen so much use?
I like it because its a 6cyl , don’t know if there is a car’s and coffee group in my area but it would be fun to cruise around and find out.
I agree, the Chevy small block v8 is a great engine, but it had its teething problems the debut year. No full flow oil filtration and oil consumption, for starters.
Had a white over blue one. Built like a tank. Very reliable.
Classic daily driver around town. Minor touch ups and I agree, keep it as is…protect the paint and interior from further decay…..and enjoy driving this car around town.
Drive it. Keep.put of salt it will last another 60 years and you can do repairs with a half inch, 9/16 and 5/8 wrenches. Imagine that. No stupid LS junk engine and Brembos.
Amen to that Mr. M & here’s hoping
I really like this car and if I had the garage space I would seriously go after this. It would be a lot of fun to tool around in. I wouldn’t change a thing except what was needed to keep it safe and roadworthy.
I have a question and I’m hoping someone can educate me. I’ve seen the words blind patch upholstery several times on Barn Finds. What is that?
I too am a hard core Ford man, I won’t own anything else. But I too am a total Gearhead so I can and do appreciate most everything Detroit ever built, yes that includes General Motors. When I was 4 or 5 years old living in the San Fernando Valley California, our neighborhood was full of all the Detroit brands, although the Ford Country Sedan was clearly the most popular, and I MO, the best-looking wagons were all wearing Blue Ovals. As for my family, they all drove Chrysler products. But my best friend’s parents had a 55 Chevrolet Bel-Air, a 4 door sedan it wore the strange colors this one does and it also had the Blue Flame I6 bolted to a 3 speed manual transmission with the column shifter. I remember the tailpipe had a flared bright tip wearing a small bow tie engraved on top, you’ve seen them. I also remember that Blue Flame produced a very unique exhaust sound. It could be heard from all over the neighborhood. There is one other thing I remember about that Bel-Air. The dashboard had a band of bright metal trim that had millions of tiny black Bow ties that covered the dash from wall to wall. All American cars from the 50s had so much detailed trim covering both the exterior and interior. The cars may not have had the most advanced mechanicals, but it was clear that they spared no expense on the visual effects seen by the public, especially the taillights. The 50s hold the record for being the most creative and interesting tailight designs. Of course that has to include hiding the gas cap behind one of the taillights, usually the left side. The taillight required a cleverly designed hing mechanism to access the gas cap. If not behind the taillight, it might be found by pivoting the license plate down, before the gas caps were moved to behind a door in the rear fenders and even those doors had a chrome trim that framed the right side and bottom of the door. As I remember, GM was big on hiding the gas caps on their brands. The 1956 Cadillacs left taillight hinged up by pushing the little round reflector at the bottom of the taillight. Speaking of taillights, if you looked closely at the lense, you would find part numbers and for years it included the model year of the car. I seemed to be among the few people that knew that. Even our next-door neighbor auto mechanic didn’t know that until I pointed it out to him. Am I a Gearhead or what. By the way, an article on the taillights of the 1950s would make a great review.
Why was listing deleted by the author Adam? What happened? Thx