Newer 350ci V8/Muncie M20 4-Speed/Updated Interior/Great Driving Example

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan

This was the year it all began for the now-famous Tri-Five Chevy. In 1955, Chevrolet released the first model year of this iconic line. The 150 and 210 models were certainly well-received, especially when outfitted with the optional V8 engine. However, the flagship Bel Air was truly a sight to behold. Its carpeted interior, chrome trim, stainless window moldings, and script emblems set this '55 Chevy apart from the rest of the line, and made it memorable to this day.

For consignment a first year example of the beginnings of the Tri-Five era, a 55 Bel Air. Named after the California seaside town which conjures up images of movie stars, seaside mansions and lazy summer days has been reworked on the body and drivetrain to make it more efficient and reliable, but still retaining its original charm.

The timeless look of these Chevys will never go out of style, and the most successful cars are always those that don't mess with success. So, when you're building your own, have faith in the factory and do as the builder of this car has done...make it as nice as you possibly can without altering the basic goodness of the car. Starting up front with its simple egg crate grille with shiny mirror like bumper on bottom, and single chrome bezeled headlight on either side with an oval turn signal below, the beginnings remain simple on the embellishment front. Deep dark chocolate brown covers the front around this chrome, the hood, front quarters, doors and lower half of the rear quarter. This paint is very deep, and one can become mesmerized with its quality. A chrome trim spear mid-section of the front quarter runs rearward through the door, where it comes to an abrupt halt. With its starting point on the total surround of the passenger compartment, a chrome trim piece works its way past the door sills, then heads downward towards the mid rear quarter, where it is met with another mid spear which takes us to the back of the car. This spear combo is the delineation between the brown and gold lighter tone paint which covers the roof, and trunk deck as well as the back of this car. A side view will give you a hint of the design that created the craze with these car's introductions, showing curved front and rear glass, all surrounded by chrome trimmings. On back, are simple lamplighter style taillights, a large red reflector badge, and another beautiful bumper with dual pipes hedging a look out of the bottom of this beautiful creation. On all corners are shiny 15 inch Chrome Torque Thrust wheels wrapped in 215/70R15's in front and 235/70R15's on the back.

Interior
Moving inside starting with the door panels, and let's just say the hits just keep on coming!! Using chocolate brown vinyl along with some tan stitched tuck and roll style paneling also in vinyl, then mixing together with more swoop spear-esque styling trim, the door panels emulate the exterior design. Slipping on to the late model (75 Olds Cutlass seats) high back wide buckets which replace the original bench, also in chocolate brown and tan and looking nicely comfortable. A rear bench presenting in the same fashion is in back and there is plenty of romper room back there. Fronting this is a dual fan dash with the gauge cluster on the driver's side, and badged speaker and round clock below on the passenger's side. This dash has been painted brown on the metal and sports a bow tie stamped pattern strip of shiny aluminum running from door to door. Original looking (Stewart Warner) black faced with white type gauges fit into the fan. Reflecting in this dash is a wood rimmed billet style rally sized steering wheel which has been drilled. An aftermarket tachometer hangs from the column on the driver's left, and below the dash on driver's right is a trio of aftermarket gauges on a shiny panel, mounted just below the glovebox. A newer digital Chevrolet badged bowtie radio is now installed. Gold carpet covers the floors and in the center of the buckets on the hump is a Hurst Competition shifter proudly mounted.

Drivetrain
Replacing the original engine is a circa 1969-1979 350ci V8. This is topped with an Edelbrock intake and single 4-barrel carburetor. On the back is a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission, and the rear axle comes up with 4.11 gears. A very nicely presenting power plant if I must say so myself!

Undercarriage
Noticing several repairs for invasive rust on the back of this car's underside, particularly on the rear roll panel below the rear bumper. Fiberglass has been patched in and some surface rust is still seen. Otherwise all is solid with the frame, floorpans and body hangers, on which are some repairs as well as some chipping off of the finish and a hole on the driver's side rocker inside panel. Power disc brakes upfront and power drums on back and independent coil spring suspension is on front as are leaf springs on the back. Headers lead from the engine and run through Dynomax mufflers. Lakewood traction bars are also now mounted on the back.

Drive-Ability
A great driver, with nice acceleration from the new 350ci and Edelbrock feeder. Transmission was smooth, and brakes worked as they should, stopping us on a dime. All functions were working just fine, and the new buckets are uber comfy.

A nice job overall on this two tone Bel Air with good paint showing a few battle scars but mostly very nice. A newer updated inter seating setup, shifter, and digital stereo now in, driving not only turns heads but is just a bit more convenient.

VIN DECODE
C55B062439
C-2400 Series BelAir 2 Door Sedan
55-1955
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
062439-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 55 1011D-1955 BelAir 2 Door Sedan
BODY NO M7409-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 510-Green Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT NO 586-Seamist Green

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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 located 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.