Some of the most sought-after collector cars from yesteryear are the “Tri-Five” Chevrolets of 1955 through 1957. They were hugely popular as nearly five million buyers scooped up a 150, 210, or Bel Air from one of the three model years. The seller’s 1955 Bel Air Sport Coupe has its original 265 cubic inch V8, Chevy’s first V8 since 1918. It doesn’t run since it’s been in storage for about 40 years. This project wears a fair amount of patina and hails from McCalla, Alabama, and is available here on eBay. The current bid is $4,500, below whatever the seller has set as a reserve.
This Chevrolet was finished in two colors when new, but the lighter hue looks more like yellow today. At least it was stored indoors all these years, which has prevented it from deteriorating further. The floor pans up front need to be replaced and there are some holes in one of the doors. All the chrome trim has survived as do the fender skirts not pictured. The wheels and tires shown will be swapped out for roller rims before the buyer takes possession.
The seller has not tried to start the Bel Air, but the engine has oil in it. He/she thinks the car is numbers matching although there is no proof. Also, there is no title as Alabama didn’t use them until years later. We don’t get to see much of the interior except for the holes in the floors. Everything about this Chevy screams for a restoration. How high would you go in the bidding war for this old gem?
This tri five hardtop needs a complete tear down. The body stripped down to metal and remove bondo showing as well inside and out.
Just because it has oil in engine doesn’t guarantee the freeze plugs were not tapped out and any block issues are present.
A car if cheap enough for a weekend mechanic that can meticulously restore and log parts removed. Not for sone. The restoration with paint, interior , panels, rechrome , engine rebuild and sweet equity is 35 grand or more easily putting it in a decision of buy one restored for some.
I had a black 55 hardtop like this model in HS with a 327, 4 speed, camned, headers and cragers .
Good luck with bringing it back to life.
I love the idea of your HS car. Sounds perfect.
Bunch of rust on that one. Think I’d keep looking.
Just a weird sidenote: when GM’s “50 Millionth” gold car–a `55 Bel Air hardtop was retired from the show circuit, it was reported that the gold trim was replaced with regular production items and the car was painted black/white two-tone with a production interior and sold somewhere. Nobody seems to know what became of the car so it’s lost to history.
Hmmmmm……………..? Makes you wonder.
The original burned up in a barn fire years ago. Sat for years until it was located. He had partially disassembled it. A joint venture with multiple companies bought what was salvageable and built a clone to it. Was on the touring circuit a year or so ago. Sold at either Mecums or Barrett Jackson recently. A truly stunning car!
This would not be on my personal radar as it is beyond my skillset. The 1955 was always my favorite for the basic shape and adaptability for basic customizing. The formula in the 1960’s would have been to install Powerpack heads with an upgrade to a slightly hi-rise manifold with a Holley 650, headers and a floor mounted Hurst shifter. Eight or four track tape was optional. For many it was the culmination to put a scrolled name above the rear wheel well for identification as Your Car. This one has a ways to go, but doesn’t someone make all the parts needed for this restoration? The “Tall Cool One” was the unicorn of 1960 Coeur d’Alene.
I’m betting the dream price is over $10k still looks to be a fun car to get back on the road. These are the ones I like to Tinker with and see if I can bring the engine back to life, after all that time I still think it needs a rebuild of replacement but I just enjoy getting them going.
A guy I knew in high school had one with a 396 Big Block, painted orange with orange peel. It was a real sleeper. He worked at a local speed shop and engine was modified. I like the 55’s best also
55s always were my favorites, especially two toned with the darker color on top. In my youth I spent about half my life in junkyards and one of my hobbies was collecting cowl tags, especially of interesting cars with interesting color and trim combinations. I have hundreds of them and would always dream of building one with my favorite combo. This car would fit in as a favorite color.
The 55 in the picture is my first “real” car. I bought it from my brother when I was 15 for $200! We had replaced the tired 265 with a 65 283. It has a 3 speed with overdrive and 4.11 gears. I put the BelAir side trim on it and found a 55 DelRay to harvest it’s blue and beige interior – headliner and all. I also found a 4.11 posi unit and installed it. It was later stolen and rolled over but I bought it back from the insurance co. and put all the mechanicals and front clip on my 55 Nomad. The shell has been in my barn for 45 years and I recently gave it to a nephew who wants to rebuild it to its former glory. He has the skills and recently bought a roof to repair the body. I hope to be able to drive it again soon!
The missing VIN tag would be a problem for me in Connecticut. The DMV doesn’t want a title, a bill of sale and a signed affidavit is enough, but they also need to see the VIN tag on the car.
Sold on 3/30/2025 with a high bid of $8,700.
Steve R