Although the Chevrolet Bel Air was introduced back in 1950, it’s the ’55 through ’57 models that enthusiasts typically have recurring dreams about, the years lovingly known as the tri-fives. Sadly, the fifties decade was a long time ago, and it seems to be getting exceedingly difficult to locate an example that’s still mostly factory or hasn’t been hacked to pieces. However, this 1955 Chevrolet is fresh out of long-term barn storage and appears to remain highly original, so if you’ve been looking for a mid-fifties Chevy project, this one’s probably worth considering. The ’55 can be spotted here on Facebook Marketplace in New Castle, Delaware, with the seller aiming for $15,000. T.J., we appreciate your excellent tip here!
The positives begin with the fact that this one’s a real Bel Air, the top-trim level you could get on the ’55, trumping both the 150 and 210 models. The seller tells us his Chevy is fresh out of a long hibernation period, and while it’s not entirely rust-free, there’s less corrosion present than is often found on unrestored tri-fives appearing in the marketplace. More good news is that the two-color paint is stated as original, with no primer or touch-ups attempting to hide any issues.
However, with the paint approaching the seven-decade point, the owner describes the finish and chrome as crusty, which sounds like a reasonable assessment. He also points out that the driver’s quarter panel is dented, but the rest of the body appears to remain mostly straight. A couple of accessories include the sun visor up front and a continental-style tire on the back, both items I’d consider losing if it was my project, but that will ultimately be up to the future owner to decide.
The base engine for the 1955 Bel Air was an inline 6, but this one’s got the optional 265 cubic-inch V8. The seller mentions it’s been rebuilt, but then states that it’s currently not running, and there is also no confirmation that this is still the original engine. With the thermostat housing and oil cap missing, who knows what kind of contaminants could have entered the block over the years, so I’m guessing it may be time for the powerplant to be gone through again.
Things on the inside need a good refreshing, but the floors appear to be reasonably solid, as does the undercarriage area we get to inspect from the one photo provided from the bottom side. I’ve seen numerous tri-fives at far worse starting points than this one, and feel the $15k asking price is in the ballpark here. What are your thoughts?
Well it has SBC, would need to check numbers to be sure it is still a 265
So if it was my project I would do a frame off and improve the suspension after powder coating the frame. Would add disk brakes all around and would look for an LS3 to drop in. Tremic 6 speed, custom balanced drive shaft and a good strong rear end with posi would be my drive train of choice. I would strip the body and repair the metal and I’m thinking going back the original color combination. New tires and custom Foose wheels, and of course some new custom leather interior. Some many other details but you get the picture. Of course this would add up, but do it as money allows and have fun doing it.
In other words, trash it.
Exactly. I thought it was pure sarcasm while reading but unfortunately it was anything but. Crazy. Just run it over with Bigfoot for F’s sake.
Trash it?
How about IMPROVE IT!
There is a reason Resto-Mods are so popular and bring so much money. The only folks who want it stock are old and dying! The money and interest in Shoebox’s these days are ones with modern drivetrains, suspensions and chilly wind.
This car would have to be FREE to undertake a STOCK frame-off restoration and not be buried money wise in the car when completed.
The original colors are stunning.
Cut it up and build it back!
Ha……..purists crack me up………
If one makes the car look better than stock, how is this trashing the car?
I’d keep the visor for sure, and if one wants to pay homage as to what the car had when it left the factory, leaving the Continental option on would be the right thing to do.
Visors are useful, continental kits just add length and weight so not useful. Love the color combo on this, Salmon and Grey.
Clean up the interior and make it presentable enough so you don’t have stuff flying all over the cabin when you’re rolling. Get the original drivetrain squared away..do a few mods..nothing crazy. Make sure her bones are structurally safe. At least do a front disk brake conversion. Keep the body the way it is and preserve her looks. After all…it took decades to get that way. You can’t duplicate that…you can try, but it’s not the same. Probably get more looks than a fully restored one. And you save a ton of $$.
But that’s me. To each their own.
And be sure not to run over the headlights when you go over the first speed bump and they fall out.
Oye, treading amongst opinions about automotive tastes, particularly “accessories” can be treacherous. I try to avoid such conversations amongst fellow car fiends, and even when judging at auto show competitions years ago I endeavored to look past those few items I considered flagrant transgressions against the beauty and balance of the presentation as a whole. After all, we can all have our own misguided affections of questionable taste.
Indeed, to each his own.
To that point, I could see me putting this FiveFive in my shop so I could “bring it back”, but just between you and me, it would lose some weight right away…if you catch my drift.
Too much $ for too little car. Yeah the tri-fives have high value but this one needs a ton of work. Motor needs to be checked for any possible contaminates. Interior needs gutting and replacing. Front fenders rusted through, probably be cheaper to buy new fenders. In addition to all that it needs a new paint job. Considering what a classic this one is, a correct paint job can run up to $10K. If the price was around $10K it might be worth it. You’re going to have to invest almost $20K to restore it.
My 1965 Corvair Monza was a full mechanical, body and interior Resto. I finished it in 2010. I’ve got about 20K (In 1996-2010 dollars) in the car.
I’ve seen some way overdone paint jobs that the owner claims to have nearly 20 K JUST IN PAINT AND BODY.
If it was 10K, I’d snap it up anyway I had to. Sure, needs a ton of work. My friends include 80 years of paint/body, Crackerjack mechanic with 40 plus years, mostly on collector cars.
A rebuild on the SB, or put in a slightly hopped up 6 in there with TH350?
8cl engine TH 700 R 4 trans, rebalanced Drive shaft.
I’d go Salmon and black instead of gray
As close to OEM seats and carpet.
The only option added would be AC. GOT to have it.
I don’t think $20k goes very far in a restoration anymore
$20K??? Are you kidding Me? That would cover re-chroming & the engine! How about the Rest of the car??? Those are 1970’s prices!
Too bad is was not restored 20-30 years ago, when 50’s cars were at their peak. Many restored cars are available for less than this will cost.
I think the price is steep but otherwise I say Get it running and driving working brakes and just drive it.
Someone better have some DEEP pockets and time to take this on….GLWTS
clean it up ,get it running, I had a 37 Packard with the same worn out finish, it cleaned up very well, almost presentable, we drove it for fifteen years and had a blast.
just the cost of re-platimg that front bumper would finish me off
Have it encased in Lucite?
Anybody notice everyone is broke? Credit card maxed out,wolves at the doors front and back door? This price,I don’t think so.it literally needs everything yeah I said everything.wake up now.real life time.coffees ready.
There’s hope for this ugly duckling!
Rockers and floors look very restorable. Quarters and front fenders can be replaced or repaired. Interior needs a lot. Engine is suspect. screws missing on valve covers as well as bolts on intake and exhaust manifolds. No nuts on carb. base. Heads don’t match engine No accessory oil filter on 265 ?. I’d sure like to see the 57s in garage (Nomad) Orig. 265s are out there. I think price is high but within reason nowadays. Nice find.
It looks like its all there and all needs replaced.
No Greg, no!!!
Nobody even mentioned the P word, that’s some super Patina right there Bubba! Patch the rust, put a new interior in, freshen up the driveline, disc brake, it’s show time! Too many 55s around here, but none with patina, visors and continental kits, it would draw a crowd.
55 Chevies are my fav, I have a 55 Chevy patina farm down in Florida, lookit dat.
https://www.flickr.com/people/115986104@N05/
People seem to be missing the point,it’s rare to find a restorable automobile this old that is complete and probably original driveline and fantastic colors. But I guess if you could not perform the work ,or most of it in house it would seem extravagant,pricewise. I’m a happy purist and hate to see the car ruined but to each his own GoodDay
I’m with you John! Before I would take this project on, I’d look for one that’s already done. There are tons of them out there!
I’d bring it up to safety standards and clean it up. Drive it.