Sometimes you only need to look at the bidding history to determine how desirable a classic car is. Take this 1955 Chevrolet 210 as an example. Tri-Fives continue to perform exceptionally well in the market, and this hidden gem has already received twenty-nine bids since it was listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and while all of that activity has pushed the price to $5,766, that figure remains short of the reserve. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D has demonstrated his ability to spot some great classics, so thank you for that, Larry.
It is worth noting that this Chevy is a complete classic, but it also appears that a previous owner parked it in 1969. Five decades of inactivity means that it will take more than a single weekend of tinkering in a workshop for the buyer to return it to a roadworthy state. They will also need to be prepared to tackle some rust problems, but these aren’t as bad as you might expect. The owner says that the frame looks crusty, but he doesn’t believe that there is any penetrating rust. It seems like someone has commenced a restoration on this beauty, but I’d say that it stalled pretty early. If I were a gambling man, I would be placing money on the buyer performing a frame-off restoration to ensure that the 210 remains structurally sound for many years to come. The owner admits that a couple of floor braces are badly rusted, meaning that potential buyers might want to perform an in-person inspection to determine how bad things actually are below the surface. The floors have a few rust spots, but there’s nothing that couldn’t be addressed with patches if the thought of wholesale floor replacement sounds too daunting. The inner and outer rockers will require attention, as will some spots in the rear quarter panels and the front fenders above the headlamps. The list is pretty long, but it is not as bad as some that we’ve seen in the past here at Barn Finds. With the ongoing popularity of the Tri-Fives, it should potentially remain financially viable.
This 210 appears to be a numbers-matching classic, and it would represent the chance for the right person to perform a faithful restoration. It features the 235ci Blue Flame six-cylinder engine and 2-speed Powerglide transmission. When bolted to an automatic, that engine should produce 136hp (123hp in manual-equipped versions). Point this classic at the ¼ mile, and the journey would be over in 20.2 seconds. I know that isn’t fast, but for a six-seat vehicle produced in the mid-1950s, it was still nothing of which to be ashamed. The owner purchased the car approximately one year ago, and the previous owner told him that the motor runs. He hasn’t attempted to coax it into life, so that’s an adventure for the buyer to face. He was also told that while the transmission goes into gear okay, it refuses to engage reverse. That could be something simple, or it could be the sign that the Powerglide requires a rebuild. The owner floats the idea of a drivetrain upgrade, which is a concept that some enthusiasts will eagerly embrace. It will ultimately be a question of personal preference.
The interior photos are slightly deceptive because they don’t show the seats. These are present, although it is apparent that the whole interior would benefit from some restoration work. Once again, how this is tackled will depend on the buyer’s vision for this 210. If a faithful restoration is the aim, trim kits are readily available. At around $2,000, these aren’t cheap. However, that price includes everything that the buyer would want to return this interior to a factory-fresh state. If the buyer intends to perform a custom build, they could go with something more in keeping with their taste and the character of the finished product. In that case, the world will be their oyster.
Returning this 1955 Chevrolet 210 to its former glory will be a significant undertaking for its next owner. However, it appears that this classic isn’t riddled with rust that would cost a fortune to address. For those enthusiasts with their hearts set on a faithful restoration, they will commence the process with a car that is complete and numbers-matching. For those with a sense of adventure, it would also represent a sound foundation for a custom build. With twenty-nine bids already on the table, it seems that many people like what they see. It will be interesting to watch this auction to see where it ultimately goes.
I do think spending your time doing something other than restoring this car would be much more constructive.
Going to sandblast this car and the only thing left will be the glass
I’ve often wondered why so many of these Barn Finds are missing the oil filler cap.
I like the 55 Chevies! Not as much as the 57’s, but I like them, always have. If I had my Father-In-Law’s garage (where a stunning 57 convertible restoration is in process), I would put the 235 six-cylinder and Power Glide on an engine stand and go to work putting the 55 on my Father-In-Law’s rotisserie, remove the front fenders and repair the rust damage in them and everywhere else and paint it.
Then I’d start shopping for 327 or 400 small block and build a motor that has both power and driveability. I’d back it up with a built 200 4R transmission and finish the drive train with a 3.42 Posi rear end. I’d finish the interior and have a show-quality 55 that would be both comfortable to drive and lay down two strips of rubber any time I wanted if the urge moved me.
All I’m saying is that I get why 29 people are bidding on this car.
Appreciate the sharing of the write-ups but in the year 2021, is it an absolute necessity for the majority of those listed to document the so called 1/4 performance of each? This car, if fully restored with its “matching numbers” BF6 will most likely only be taken out of the garage on sunny days and in all odds never see the speedo eclipse 75.
I very much appreciate the quarter mile stats. It helps to place the vehicle somewhere in the pyramid of other cars and trucks for an idea of its capability at the time it was manufactured.
And this 210 doesn’t necessarily have to be restored with its original power plant as I have already opined. If which case it could be a Two-Lane Blacktop monster.