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Post Roof Racer: 1955 Chevrolet 150

This 1955 Chevrolet definitely has some sort of racing history. The hood scoop, Cragar wheels, and lettering on the fender all point to this being more than a typical hot rod sedan. It can be found here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $6,495. While “Snoopy” isn’t the most intimidating name, it was probably a bit embarrassing to lose to a car named after a sweet cartoon character. Take a look at this vintage racer and see if you agree that it has racing heritage.

Here you can see what is left of the front end. The headlight buckets are nearly gone, but other than where the emblem used to be, the hood doesn’t look too bad. Also, the grille looks pretty good. The hood scoop may be a custom piece, but it is similar to a mid-fifties Thunderbird scoop. If you think you know what car it came off of, let us know. Under the hood, you’ll find an empty engine compartment. Who knows what power plant used to be lurking under there, but the new owner will have a blank slate to install whatever they want.

Surprisingly the interior still houses what appears to be the factory bench seat. You’d think if this was a serious racer, they’d have a racing seat or at least a roll bar to attach a harness to. The rear seat has been pulled out, most likely in a weight-saving effort. The carpet is also missing from the floor, which gives a good look at the condition of the metal.

The trunk has some rust, but appears to be un-modified. Thankfully, the quarter panels were never radiused for large tires like a lot of tri-five Chevy racers were. There is quite a bit of rust on the body, but this car would be a pretty cool rat rod racer or crusty gasser. Would you restore this car as a factory ’55 or make it a racer again?

Comments

  1. Avatar Roger Hackneyt

    I remember those scoops from back in the day and I’ve always believed that they came off a large a Ford truck.

    Like 9
    • Avatar al8apex

      They did, the big Super Duty trucks. Same scoop Pontiac used on their version of the SD

      Like 6
      • Avatar Glenn C. Schwass Member

        Needs a lot of panels replaced. Front fenders, rockers, lower quarters, floor and truck. If you can weld, good. If you’re paying someone else, not good. Went through it on my 57 and I only neededquarters and rockers…If racing, then get fiberglass fenders for weight or the whole front clip.

        Like 1
  2. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    Now THIS would make a great sleeper!
    Not that the Chevelle isn’t, but this is what I think of when I hear that term.
    That’s what happened to some of them
    in the ’60s and ’70s. There were some
    guys in my town that built them and boy,
    was that really something. Looking at
    this car, it looks like a 210 to me as ’55
    150s had no side trim at all. Whatever
    it is, it’s a good place to start.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar Roger Hackney

    Side trim is correct for the 150.
    Trim on the 210 was longer but not as long as the Belair.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Brendon

    I’m thinking this is a base 150 with side trim added. There are no holes in the body sides for any of the trim that would have otherwise been there for the 210/ Bel Air models. Also has the base trim on the passenger side of the dashboard, too. Regardless of how it started life, it has some heavier rust and will need to be taken apart and rebuilt back up to be usable.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar A.G.

    The trim tag’s style number 55-1211 indicates the car is a 150. The VIN starts with a VA which describes a V-8 150.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Derek

    Wasn’t a racer. Trim’s heavy.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar bone

    The seller says it was in a barn since the 1970s , I’d say it was in a barnyard since the 70s- this poor car is pretty rough .I would say the Cragars weren’t with the car when it was found; they would be pretty corroded and the tires are pretty small for a racer

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Desert Rat

    Boy I would love to take on this project, I would keep it on the “cheap”. Fix the rust with replacement panels, reupholster the seat and drop in a BBC with a 4 speed. Then paint the whole flat black and keep the Cragers. I’ve have me one sweet ride!

    Like 5
  9. Avatar christopher gush

    The perfect car to recommission as a racer…. There will be no need to facilitate weight reduction, the “Tin Worms” have previously seen to it and so goes the adage, “they only get better with age”. Moreover, elimination of the rear seat should provide another .00000006 tenths of a second reductions in 1/4 mile time…. Very fun cars, but a very enterprising and idealistic buyer is needed for this antique.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar Desert Rat

    I would love to take on this project. I would keep it on the cheap, replace the rust with new panels , reupholster the bench seat drop in a BBC with a 4speed paint the whole car flat black and keep the Cragers. I’d have me one sweet ride!

    Like 2
    • Avatar Desert Rat

      I liked my comment so much I posted it twice. not really the first post did not show up right a way so I reposted, then I got two…yea

      Like 8
      • Avatar Pugsy

        I liked your double posted comment so much that I thumbed up both of them.
        And, yeah, you would have a sweet ride.

        Like 4
  11. Avatar Terry J

    Seems like I recall that a ’55-’57 150 base model didn’t have a rear seat. Anyone? :-) Terry J

    Like 0
    • Avatar Terry J

      ALSO: I think that a base 150 didn’t have carpet, just rubber floor mats. (????) Terry J

      Like 0
    • Avatar A.G.

      These cars were advertised as being six passenger vehicles. You are correct about black rubber floor mats being standard equipment.

      Like 2
  12. Avatar Geoffrey Ehrlichman

    I hate rust!

    Like 1
  13. Avatar ACZ

    Begging to be done as a Two Lane Blacktop clone.

    Like 3
  14. Avatar Dennis Zozula

    My friend had this model that we nick named Smooth Ride. The name came from a great fun article in a car mag. It said that GM designers must have been put in a room to consume a case of beer while a recording played ” smooth ride ” repeatedly. I would love to source that story any of you car nuts know about it ?

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Roger Hackney

    Business coupes are the ones without
    rear seats .
    This is a great car , plenty of good metal there to weld to .

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Butch Long

    The hood scoop looks like a Ford F-800 truck scoop. On the trucks they were mounted with the opening to the rear.
    I put one on my 57 Ford Fairlane and it was active.

    Like 2

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