1955 Chevrolet, LS2 RestoMod, FRAME OFF Original Paint, Convertible

Bella the Original Paint '55 Chevy Convertible.- Frame Off Restoration- LS2- Air Ride- Air Conditioning- 6 Piston Willwood Dynapro Brakes- Cruise Control- Blue Tooth- 18" Front/20" Rear wheels- Power Steering- Power Brakes- Haartz felt convertible top- 9" rear end with 3.55 gears
There comes a point in every mans life where he faces hard choices. This is one of those times. This car was never built to sell and I never thought nor did my kids ever think I would sell. It took me 7 years to hunt down and find an original paint convertible to convert into what you see here. This car is some minor details away from going to Barrett Jackson or staying in your stable. Add a paint job for a higher end car. Rebuilt doors and a hood come with it. It's unique and totally one of a kind. It's obvious that it's a real convertible for those that wonder if it's been converted. The VIN and Data plate have never been touched.
At minimum 10% of the sale will go to charity and possibly 1/2 to all of it will be donated to a 501c3. If donating money for a tax write-off is important to you and helps the situation then please contact me to discuss eligibility for write-offs beyond the 10%. Otherwise you can pay me directly and I'll be happy to distribute the funds appropriately.
This car has been a god to me and the truth is I sacrificed too much along the way to be here today. I have enjoyed journey, the memories and I've grown from the pain of my decisions. I am here to sell the car and not talk about what it's worth or might bring tomorrow on some other venue. If you are serious then call or email and we can discuss. I have more invested in this car than I will ever see in return. That's just part of life.
Bella's History:
One owner California black plate car from the Oakland area until a few years ago. As the story goes, Mr. Bright, the original owner worked on the Chevrolet assembly line in 1955. He ordered this car for himself along with a turquoise and white '55 hardtop for his wife. The convertible is a gypsy red paint code 596 with interior Trim 525 (red/beige.) When new he pulled the car into the paint booth and Mr. Bright painted the back half black as you see it today. The original red paint is under the black. In 1969 the car was parked under a carport at their house in Oakland because the convertible top developed a small rip. Mr. Bright went to the local dealership and ordered a new top for the car in 1969. That top never got installed and the car never moved from being parked in 1969. It's my understanding that NOS top was still likely setting in the original garage. I also left the original hitch on the back of the car.
In 1975, when Mr. Salafo Smith was 7 years old, he stopped by the house with his father to ask if the convertible was for sale. Mr. Bright said the convertible was not for sale at any price. In 2006Mr. Bright passed away. In November of 2011 Mr. Smith ran into Mr. Bright's nephew at the donut shop one morning and found out car was still setting in exact same spot since 1969. Eventually Mr. Smithpurchased the car and after a period of time decided to sell. This was the car I had been looking for and the price didn't matter as much as finding such a unicorn. I have included a picture of the way Bella was delivered and a couple restoration photos that I could find. The car has never been in an accident. The black pate on the trunk has never been removed. There is a trick automated license tag that slides out from under the bumper when the car is started (with override switch under the dash.)
The restoration:
Bella has new floors throughout including new inner, outer rockers and tail pan. The only thing she needs for a concourse paint job is a hood (included) because of a small dent in the middle. The bottoms of the doors are weak (rebuilt doors included) and the lower front quarter panels need patched. I am including a good hood and two rebuilt doors with the sell of the car. You can purchase the lower front quarter panels both for less than $200. All stainless is in good shape to be straightened and polished. This car was built to easily paint should one day I change my mind and decide to make it shinny.
Underside of floor was painted red oxide as the original floors. The firewall was painted up to the top of the firewall where the trim tag and original paint pen marks still remain. Dash, door jams and trunk area were all painted as well as underside of hood. Custom inner fender covers were made to set on top of the original sanded and painted inner fenders. The silver box above the radiator is the intake. So much time and money was spent getting this built. In my opinion the intake is still missing the mark and needs a fresh set of eyes. Passenger floor area completely lined with Dynamat sound deadening material. Trunk left painted red as the door jams and lower fire wall.Vintage Air heat and air conditioning. Griffin polished cross flow radiator. Stainless 18 gal gas tank. Holly LS accessory drive kit. Speartech wiring harness.Dakota Digital dash and digital clock with cruise control. From what I understand engine is a 25k mile LQ9 6.0L. LS2 top end installed. 4L80e transmission. Custom cam ground by Comp Cams specifically for this setup.Braile battery is located in the spare tire well in the trunk.Brake booster is hidden under the drivers side floorboard. 6 piston Wilwood Dynapro brakes kit with 12.19" front rotors and Dynapro kit on the 9" rear end. 9" rear with 3.55 gears. Complete Ridetech Air Ride system with 4 link rear and large Air Pod system. 18" front wheels and 20" rears on Nitto Invo's. Hartz felt convertible top. The same top material used on Mercedes. There are many subtle touches to this car that time time walk around and appreciate. This is not some back yard Joe Dirt rat rod. If you do the math you'll quickly realize I have over six figures invested in this. Try finding an original paint 55 Chevy, let alone a convertible clean and complete enough to just start this project without paying $30k. This was never built with the intention of selling. I just figured I'd drive her around until I got tired of the patina and then pull it back down for a paint/freshen up and drive until my kids wanted. The patina just never gets tiring for me. I've driven her almost 2,600 miles. This is a solid weekend warrior type of car with all the hard work completed. It needs fiddled with to finish some of the stuff i never completed. The 605 steering box has a very small leak. I'll include a brand new steering box with the sale. The gas tank sensor does not read properly until the fuel gets to 1/3 of a tank or below. I've not taken the time to drop the tank and fix. Sometimes there is a slight squeak from the serpentine pulley which needs fiddled with for slight adjustment. Some days I can drive the car all day and not have an issue and sometimes after almost an hour of driving it will throw error code P2101 which has to do with the drive by wire throttle. It's never done this while driving but it has thrown the code after I've driven it for a while and right after the car is shut off and then I go to restart. You just have to reset the computer with the handheld scanner plugged into the OBD2 port, restart and go on. I just never finished tuning the car on the dyno to work on these little bugs.
I've had everything from Ferrari to a 71 Hemi Cuda. Bella tops them all in fun and attention. I'm not a "lets go to car shows" kind of guy but on the rare occasions we've been and pulled up next to high end restored tri-fives and Bella has always gathered exponentially more attention. As a single dad with 4 small children my priorities in life has changed and so have finances. Please be real and serious and I'll answer and do what it takes, within reason, to accommodate. I'm just a guy and not a car dealer. I've shipped cars all over the world and can help export if needed. Feel free to call or email with questions. Just to be clear, the sale includes the car, as you see it here, along with two rebuilt door shells, a hood and new CPP Steering Box. Have more pictures or information if you need it. Car leaves when payment clears. What's it worth? Thanks!!
Greg 918.261.433three