Nice Exterior Respray Beautifully Restored Dash/Seats 6-Cylinder Blue Flame

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door

With GM hitting its stride in the mid 50's with the advent of the tri-five era, and eventually hitting a home run, they had several tried and true theories that they stood by to make the car so popular. A few items of note are they embellished the car with brite work so as to make it outshine the Cadillac, the 55 Bel Air weighed over 3,400 pounds, and was over 15 feet long, and some wild options were available including an electric shaver to get business done while in traffic, and an ashtray that sucked the ashes into the tray...now that's class!

Forget about these fancies overdone "resto-mods" with their perfect lines, and little attention to the original. Let's keep it simple with this 55, and keep it original, even if not perfect, and all the while make it a reliable driver, to actually turn heads when you are rolling down main street. I give you this partially restored first year tri-five.

Exterior
The recipient of a respray which matches the original paint code # 12 that being Regal Turquoise with India Ivory, and it does not get any more Mid Century Modern color-wise than this. Paint presents well, as does attached correct brite-work, badging, and chrome. This car oozes simplicity as the first version with its simple chrome grille, bumpers, and a streaking jet hood ornament that has flown its way to the end of the hood to announce the cars arrival into the jet age and yours at the drive in. Nicely done tail lights, a lack of any fins, and wonderful stainless window trimmings and surrounds, add to the aura with the paint combo. We bottom out with some medium wide whites, thin bias plys, and standard Bel Air polished wheel trimmings.

Interior
Appearing to be original with the condition of the door panels, headliner and seats, although the seats may have been restored at one time, because they are in really great condition compared to the panels and headliner. Two tone turquoise and white benches are the interior seating, dark blue carpeting with nice light blue bowtie logo-ed floor mats under foot at every station, and seat belts in the front and rear are noted. The all original steel dash which has undergone restoration sits in front of the benches in its dual fan bumped, turquoise and repeating bowtie pattern stainless banding presentation. A radio option (was not standard on any of the tri-fives), center mounted glovebox, and lots of shining knobs and levers add to the dash, along with a nice speedo in the driver's side fan and a speaker in the other, emblazoned with the 50's style type font actually named Bel Air! Headliner is not ripped or torn but shows some water staining.

Drivetrain
A C coded 6-cylinder "New Blue Flame" restored engine, which runs beautifully, is flanked by an oil bath air filter and single carb side drafter. Engine bay is nice and clean, and a 3-speed automatic is bolted on the back.

Undercarriage
Mostly clean with some repaired former rust invasion areas now remediated and sprayed with rust proof. An area on the frame appears to have been reinforced and painted. Floor pans are also repaired, and some of the original has been left behind, which is more visual than structurally problematic. 4-wheel drum brakes are all around and suspension seems to have been well maintained since any restoration.

An almost completed restoration save for some interior door panels, headliner, and a seat cleaning, this original survivor comers in an all-time favorite color combo, and is a nice pre V8 option car that is no slouch. You can confidently pull up to any establishment, and you will immediately be engaged in a nostalgic conversation about your classic first edition tri-five!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.