While some custom builds are subtle and restrained, others possess a genuine attitude. This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Gasser falls into the latter category, with an appearance guaranteed to turn heads. It runs and drives well, leaving scope for personalization if the buyer isn’t a fan of its aged appearance. The seller has listed this striking Bel Air here on eBay in Virgie, Kentucky. They’ve received no bids on an auction that opened at $1,000, but there is a BIN option of $28,500 for those viewing this classic as a must-have.
The 1955 Bel Air forms part of Chevrolet’s legendary Tri-Five range that graced showroom floors from 1955 until 1957. The history of our featured car is unclear, and the extent of exterior paint deterioration makes it impossible to determine the original shade with any certainty. I can spot isolated areas that appear to be Neptune Green, which might be a fair indication. The rest of the exterior is a patchwork of a darker shade of Green and plenty of dry surface corrosion. However, what the car appears to lack is penetrating rust. That leaves the buyer with a couple of choices. They could preserve the exterior as is, treating the corrosion to prevent further corrosion. Alternatively, it is a prime candidate for fresh paint, and considering the custom touches already visible, they wouldn’t need to follow a faithful path with their color choice. The trim and glass look respectable, and the enormous wheels scream, “Hey, look at me!”
The seller supplies no interior or engine bay images, so we’re flying blind on trim colors and materials. However, we know that lifting the hood will reveal a 350ci V8. It features an upgraded camshaft, but the seller doesn’t indicate whether there are any further engine modifications. However, I would be surprised if the small-block didn’t send at least 300hp to the rear wheels via its four-speed manual transmission. The seller added tubular suspension arms, raising the rear ride height to clear the enormous wheels. Potential buyers can consider the Bel Air a turnkey proposition, with the seller confirming that it runs and drives really well.
It will be interesting to gauge your feedback on this 1955 Bel Air Gasser, and to discover what you might do once it is safely tucked away in your workshop. Some will appreciate the aged appearance, while others might feel that fresh paint and some custom graphics would add the perfect finishing touch. Considering the low auction opening figure, I’m surprised the Bel Air hasn’t attracted any bids. However, the auction statistics suggest that the situation could change at any time. Do you think that will happen, and do you believe it could reach the seller’s BIN figure before the hammer falls?
Two lane blacktop.
2 Lane Blacktop indeed, albeit, a poor rendition of one. My 1st thought was Universal Studios was having a sell off. Drives well? Good heavens, those front wheels will track in Baltimore, and the rears in Nova Scotia. With back wheels sticking out, it’s probably not tubbed, and just a fun build. A mere shred of the REAL 2 Lane Blacktop car, that was also Bob Falfas ( Harrison Ford) car in American Graffiti, and made a cameo appearance in the background of Adam-12s “Who won?” episode. It was repainted gray and restored, sold at BJ for $159gs.
It should be noted, Jay Leno restored a clone ’55 Chevy from the movie, and had James Taylor come and see it. Apparently, Leno was surprised, Taylor had no interest in the car, and didn’t even want to drive it. He said it was the worst thing he ever did, and never even saw the finished film! That’s a Hollywood!
If I were to own it I would add a set of zoomies coming out of the front wheel wells, or at least fender exit headers. And a cool looking pair of wheelie bars even if they never get used. Seems as though he did his homework with the Grumpy Jenkins “Grump lump” style scoop.
Too many unknowns. Without detailed pictures of the front and rear suspension, interior and engine compartment it’s not really worth considering unless you really want this specific style of car and have the ability too see it in person. There is a lot of downside risk, all shouldered by potential buyers, based on what’s shown in the ad.
Steve R
The movie ’55 had a dropped axle with hairpins.
This one here has a arms.
What a beastly way to destroy a decent car.
Must be like driving a Milky Way candy bar.
Bitchin’, just bitchin’.
I built a 55 back when I was 17years old .in those days I turned in slips at low tens and that was quick in those days .I had a 383 small block roller ,fuel injection, 538s Pontiac rear trans from 70 Chevrolet SS kicked up a notch. Man would love to build a no prep pro.but I’m now 72 yes old .my quickness at the tree my be a bit slower..leave it for the young bucks…
I’m building a 55 with a 409 and a 4 speed. I plan to slam those gears at the local dragstrip. And I’m 73. I try to think of it as just a number and avoid mirrors. Going out with my boots on if I can.
At 71 I took my road race car to the local drag strip to do some acceleration runs with different jetting. I expected to get laughed out of the place. But was accepted by all and appreciated by most. (Very complimentary crowd) I made 4 runs being careful on launches not to harm the car. BUT NOBODY TREED ME! I even won 1 contest. It had been over 50 years since I looked at one of those “Christmas” trees and I ended up not being embarrassed!
This car appears to need some additional tire to wheel well/lip clearance! Rat Rod Gasser. Could be fun for cruising or cars and coffee.
I can dig it! Way overpriced though.
Two Lane Blacktop. Enough said.
Well, they’ve started the process of disposing of it.
It’s a long, painful, emotional journey from a BIN option of $28,500 to the current bid of $1000. It may take years for the seller to get there.
Hillbilly Heaven is probably the only place this would be a car to have…………….. In Virgie Kentuckyevery young man wants one!….. ..a real chick magnet……LOL
I have only ever seen one car in person made into a Gasser like this and the way the front was bouncing it reminded me of a poorly done low rider I personally would lower the front a few inches to give the car a nice rake.
Man that’s “Old School!”
Lame attempt at a gasser/TLB car. No way it hits the reserve if the BIN is 28K.
Not only no pictures of the engine bay or interior, but not even a brief description? If this guy (or gal) is that lazy, they can keep it.
Possibly $6,000 would be a fare price for this car, but beyond that forget it. It definitly needs to be reconfigured with proper stance, tubbed rears, and a redo of the front and rear suspension. This is a backyard attempt at a gasser – no more than that. All in all, it is a good starting point.
Well, now has 5 bids, but only up to $1,175! Honestly don’t know who this would appeal to, unless you could get it for $5k or so, but the Reserve is probably something silly.
No straight axle in the front. So it’s just a poser. It has kind of the look. (rear wheel openings need to be opened up) But if it could be had cheap enough, The rear body hasn’t been hacked up. So you could do whatever you wanted to do. But, cheap enough will not be an option here.
And for anyone thinking about playingwith one of these. The center section of a front bumper from a ’63 or ’64 Impala fits perfectly between the front frame rails on these. Been there, done that. (but they didn’t offer a souvenir t-shirt or coffee mug.)
Ten thousand is the end of the world for this. That’s if it runs/drives/stops, and has a clear title.
That’s a 50/50 car.
Looks ok driving by it at 50mph from 50ft. away !
That might be something you might want to think twice about investing lots of time and money into. Theres tons of different cars/years out there that’ll blow that out of the water for 17g and under.
After this childish “gasser” craze is over there’s going to be a lot of hack job cars needing serious repair.
Replacement frames and rear 1/4 panels as the minimum. The serious ones will need rear inner fenders to replace “the tubs”.If it ended up in my possession, It would get lowered back down to stock height, get a nice interior, upgraded brakes, tires, wheels (probably 7×15″ green steelies with dog dish caps) , upgraded suspension, power steering, 292 6 cylinder with throttle body fuel injection, header and aftermarket a/c and leave the body as it is. (Maybe just paint it flat black) Just a beater looking hot rod.
Awesome Wayne.
You could certainly find a better subject for something like that.
Gasser “craze” was over by the mid 70s! Saw a couple at the Dream Cruise yesterday, but they look stupid to me.
It’s It’s It’s just so beautiful
The auction ended on 8/19/2026 with a high bid of $6,000, there were 38 bids from 8 bidders.
Steve R