When Chevrolet released the Tri-Five range in 1955, the big news for many wasn’t the more modern styling. It brought the company’s new 265ci small-block V8 to the party, vastly improving overall performance. It also allowed straightforward engine upgrades years later, as shown by this 1955 Bel Air. It features a freshly rebuilt 327 under the hood and is a tidy driver-grade vehicle with scope for cosmetic improvement. It has generated significant interest since the seller listed it here on eBay in Sanford, Maine. The seller set their BIN at $23,500, and that figure appears fairly firm.
Chevrolet’s Tri-Five range has evolved in the classic world. Many enthusiasts initially focused on vehicles produced in 1957, but the earlier examples have now found their place and command impressive prices. This 1955 Bel Air is one such vehicle, and would have looked stunning when its Gypsy Red and India Ivory paint was new. The seller admits it was repainted, and the work is amateur quality. It remains presentable, but there is definitely scope for improvement at the buyer’s leisure. I say this because the first owner undercoated the car, which has helped it avoid the rust problems that sometimes plague these vehicles. It is rock-solid, representing a sound foundation for a straightforward cosmetic refresh. The seller replaced some exterior trim, while the rest looks very presentable. The glass is clear, and the Rally wheels suit the car’s personality, especially given the changes made below the surface.
Powering this Bel Air is a later 327ci V8, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.36 rear end. That combination should provide effortless open-road cruising, while the Bel Air would be energetic off the line. There is plenty of good news for potential buyers, because the seller confirms that the V8 is freshly rebuilt. They quote a power output of 300hp, which is considerably more than even the most potent version of the 265 produced in 1955. The seller states that this Bel Air is a turnkey classic that runs and drives extremely well. With warm weather available before winter sets in, the buyer can enjoy immediate classic motoring pleasure.
The Bel Air’s interior is serviceable, but it undeniably shows its age after more than seventy years of service. The upholstered surfaces look tired, with visible wear, splits, and other shortcomings. The paint also shows deterioration in spots, making a complete interior restoration a no-brainer. One of the great attractions of these classics is the ready availability of trim kits for those considering a faithful refresh. Of course, the mechanical changes might motivate the buyer to take a custom approach, and the world will be their oyster if so. It would be the ideal time to personalize this classic.
The attraction of this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air isn’t just the mechanical upgrades. The fact that it is rust-free and mechanically healthy will allow the buyer to enjoy the vehicle immediately as they plan its future path. Fresh paint and an interior retrim would make an enormous difference to its appearance and will probably be high on the new owner’s “to-do” list. The listing statistics are extremely impressive, but are you tempted to beat everyone to the punch by hitting the BIN button? I will understand if you do.
Gorgeous example of what so many of us have desperately keened for even prior to any officially recognized driving status and continued to today..wow.
On a lighter note, is it possible some of us have heard references to this car in years past??!?
https://youtu.be/3nGQLQF1b6I?si=xkknSQhZQX_CtL94
Thanks for the video clip. That movie was hilarious!
My brother had a 55, all white, best year of the tri’s.
Rough. Lots of Bondo, anything not easily visible to a casual observer hasn’t had much attention. If the engine compartment is a rusty mess.
Steve R
Yeah, I can see a Bondo area on the right rear quarter in front of the tail light. You know, where there’s smoke there’s fire. And the engine bay is a mess.
Buyer should figure these things into his offer.
I’d be inclined to walk away if I were a buyer. I don’t like cars that give off the impression they were gussied up for sale. I’ve had too many friends go down that road, they could only see shiny paint and ignored the warning signs.
Steve R
Maybe so but it stands pretty tall to be 71 years old. If I were a mite younger I’d be after this one.
As I stated yesterday in Comments on the ’56 BelAir, that year ironed out all the little ungainly bits of the ’55 but was later devolved into the unbalanced ’57 with its chunky front and fairy-finned rear. My primary objections to the ’55 is the appearance of assembled nice “details” such as the front signal lamps just sort of stuck under the headlamps beside that classic Italianate grille. They were augmented at the other end by the nice tail lamps stuck out at the end of the fender with little thought to what lay beneath… ‘cept for the occasional little V-8 symbol.
Yep, they got it all sorted out the following year.
For that price definitely must see in person with a magnet in hand to check for bondo filling nice 55 if it holds up might be worth the asking price but taking into consideration that the interior needs to be redone even in elpaso Texas your looking at 3gs for original restoration so the asking price is not set in concrete
I’d like to see more pictures