The 1955 model year was a banner one for Chevrolet. Their cars were all new and for the first time in 37 years, you could get a Chevy with a V8 engine. The “Tri-Fives” as they would become known as were produced for three years and saw nearly five million copies in the process. This ’55 Bel Air Sport Coupe came with the new V8, but the engine compartment is now bare. With a somewhat solid body, this Chevy could make a great prospect for restoration. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this vintage find is available here on eBay where the bidding holds at $10,500.
Between the 150, 210, Bel Air, and Nomad in 1955, the Bel Air Sport Coupe was the fourth most popular model/body style at nearly 190,000 units. That’s good news for survivors as the original universe was large and the 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevies have remained in demand for more than 65 years. The VIN on this car verifies that it left the factory with the new 265 cubic inch V8, but that motor parted company with the rest of the vehicle some time ago (the 3-speed manual transmission apparently went with it).
As the story goes, this Chevy was last driven in 1987 and the date sticker on the Minnesota license plate supports that. Why it was taken off the road is unknown, but what’s here is said to be 98% complete according to the seller. The buyer will get to take home a plethora of parts and components. Rust doesn’t seem to be a major factor, but some is present. And is there a big hole in the floorboard or is that where a floor shifter used to be? While the car wears old red paint now, the undersides of the hood and trunk lid suggest it may have been Ivory White back on the assembly line.
This Bel Air was the subject of a restoration that the seller had planned to do. But as is often the case, too many projects have left this one to someone else to take on. Unlike a lot of other Chevies from this era, it hasn’t been customized or molested with the steering wheel perhaps being the only non-stock part of any consequence (that we can see). If you’ve been looking for a good Tri-Five to work with, could this car be the one?
The original 265 engine or at least a 55 265 cid is in the ad in pieces.3703524.Wouldn’t doubt if it was original.In today’s market this is a deal It’s gonna take a lot of $ depending how you want to go with it
but I still say it’s worth it. Car looks pretty solid all the way around.Be great for a tri 5 guy.Make a cool old school drag car or restoration. Glwts.
Trade a hotrod 63 ford falcon send # will send video car running and pics nice and fast
As a punk kid in ‘55, we crawled over the dealers fence to get a peek at these before they were put on the showroom. Pulled back a tarp, and we’re stunned at the egg-crate grill!
you just brought back some great memories I can remember in the 1950s when dealers keep new models covered till day the where to be shown we also crawled in fence at the local Ford dealership to lift cover and peek under great memories
Solid car? did the seller see the underside pics.
I bought a 55 2dr hardtop just like this in 1974 at the age of 18. Got my first bank loan to do it. Paid $1800 and got my first real hot rod. Came with a 69 vintage 427 out of a wrecked corvette. Had a Borg Warner super t-10 close ratio 4 speed. Put the power to the ground with a 57 Pontiac rear end with 4:11 gears. It was missing all the stainless trim so I had to buy another 55 for the trim. Paid $800 for the parts car and sold off the car in parts making a decent profit and getting my trim for nothing. There were no reproduction parts available then like there is now. My buddy and I did the body work using lead like in the old days……no Bondo. Painted the car satin black. Had the skinnies in front and the fat meats on the rear sporting Crater SS mag wheels. California license plate read ( 1fast55 ). Car would launch with the wheels up about a foot every time you romped on it. Rubber in any gear. It was pure heaven. What memories. Built…..not bought. Also in later years had a 56 panel and a 57 Nomad. Wish I still had the 55. Probably would have made it into a gasser with a straight axle and all the trimmings.
Sold. Will need new frame moints welded in. Body seems good although I’d check with a magnet for bondo.