The Tri-Five Chevies (1955-57) have long since been favorites of hot rodders to soup up and take out to the drag strip. This ’55 Bel Air 2-door sedan looks as though it’s either already served in that capacity or is on its way to doing so. Work has already been done on what appears to be a solid body and a 327 cubic inch V8 resides under the hood, an engine that wouldn’t be introduced until 1962. For now, it’s a roller but the seller has some of the parts you may need to further the project. Located in Mooresville, North Carolina (near the epicenter of NASCAR), this Bow-Tie is available here on craigslist for $12,000 (firm and no trades). Thanks for the heads-up, Chuck Foster!
Chevrolet redesigned its cars in 1955 and – over the next three years – would rack up sales of nearly five million units. While a Sports Coupe (2-door hardtop) was offered in the upscale Bel Air series, you could buy a 2-door post sedan, too, though the 150 and 210 had that body style well-covered. The seller’s project car is one of 168,826 assembled in 1955, only about 12% fewer than the Sport Coupe model. That year also brought about the debut of a small-block V8 in a Chevy – the first time since 1918.
This project appears to wear a liberal application of red primer and all the chrome and glass have been removed. The sheet metal is largely good with no filler and the seller has replacement pieces where some help may be needed. The trim will go with the car in boxes but no mention is made about the glass surviving. The only thing that may still be around pertaining to the interior is the back seat.
A small-block V8 lies under the hood (a 327 as boldly advertised on the right front fender) and is flanked by a 4-speed manual transmission. The pair have not been running for several years and no indication is made as to what work, if any, they will require. As far as projects go, this one may be off to a good start as long as numbers-matching isn’t a criteria. Would you restore it to as close as stock as possible or would you work it into a candidate for the Saturday night races at your local speedway?
At this point I would make it a regular street cruiser slight restomod.
Buckets console, suspension etc
That 1918 V8 is barely worth mentioning, it was rude and crude, and short lived, like about one year. That bold advertising on the right fender is referring to the 2barrel 327 under the hood, nothing too special there. I used to kinda like the so called tri-five chevrolets, but I’ve grown weary, I’ve had them shoved down my throat for too many years, and there’s plenty of other cars from the same period that are just as attractive, if not more so. Sorry to the fans, just throwing my 2 cents in. But I will add this, I was born in 57, my ride home from the hospital, was in my dad’s 56 BelAire. Oh well.
Posting deleted already. Someone was just waiting for it.
Turn it into an American Graffiti car.Love the sound of the BBC when Harrison Ford blows the red light.
It was a good buy. Advice: stay with the theme don’t redirect when buying a project . It just runs up the bill. Buy what you like to start.
that car sure looks familiar,i think it was from Bessemer City [near Mooresville NC]..my bro. and i checked it out and tried to make an offer on it but no 1 was home [about 15 yrs. ago].it had been sitting in place for a long time.Later i did a google map search about 5 yrs. ago and there it was.Apparently the mechanic owner passed and it was sold to someone…..cool project
Not a Bel Air
Looks like a one fifty Chevy with a V8 installed.
425hp 409/4 speed, straight axle, open up the rear well wells,steelies out back, ten spoke skinny wheels up front. Black with black bucket seats
Way over priced for what is being offered.