1955 Chevrolet Bel Air in Ft Worth, Texas

Vehicle Description

The true measure of a great design is whether it ages well. In the case of this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door, the answer is unquestionably that it is one of the greatest automotive designs of all time. Beautifully refinished with a few subtle upgrades, this shoebox Chevy is a high-quality piece that is ready to rock.

Finished in basic, but very glossy black, there's no mistaking a 1955 Chevy for anything else. The design was game-changing when it was new, and even today it remains a benchmark for all car guys. Sooner or later, we all want to own a Tri-Five Chevy, don't we? The classic lines and restrained use of chrome and brightwork make it difficult to improve on the original, so the builder of this 2-door coupe wisely chose to simply restore it to an extremely high standard about ten years ago. Paint and bodywork are quite good, with a finish that's showing a bit of age but nothing major that needs attention. Gaps are good all around, and the entire car fits together in a way that modern cars just can't seem to duplicate; pull the door closed and you'll know what I'm talking about. The chrome has been restored or replaced with exact reproductions, and the car proudly wears all its trim like jewelry. Even the red, white, and blue Chevy emblem on the nose is a wonderful piece that offers crisp details and bright colors.

Inside, this slick coupe got a nice upgrade in the form of cloth upholstery on a pair of bucket seats, stitched into handsome pleated patterns. Matching door panels and color-matched carpets add to a very tasteful passenger compartment that's easy to love. The original gauges have been joined by a set of modern dials under the dash that monitor all the vitals, plus a low-mounted tachometer. An AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit has been fitted into the original radio's location with speakers throughout the passenger compartment. There's also cold A/C, a B&M shifter on the transmission tunnel, and a new tilt column, all of which make it easy to get comfortable for long hauls, and there's plenty of room in the fully finished trunk for all your gear.

Power comes from a great-running 350 cubic inch V8 with tuned-port injection hooked to a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission. And while there's nothing more traditional than a small block Chevy in a 1955 Bel Air, the many upgrades under the hood make this car safer and more reliable than any stock '55 ever was. Fuel injection from a Corvette means it starts easily and idles well, hot or cold, and the torque curve of the L98 is legendary. Other upgrades include dual circuit disc brakes, a big alternator, and a big electric cooling fan out front, making is a car that can be driven daily without worries and taken on cross-country trips at the drop of a hat. Underneath, it's clean and tidy, but not so clean that you're afraid to drive it, and you'll never get tired of the long-tube headers and rumbling dual exhaust singing their song. Helper shocks adjust the attitude out back and it rolls on classic Torque Thrust wheels with 235/70/15 Uniroyal radials for a super traditional look.

No, it's not radical, but there's no question this 1955 Bel Air is timeless. Put it in your garage and I guarantee you'll never run out of reasons to take it for a spin. Call today!