Mystery Machine: 1955 Chevrolet 150/210
I don’t know anybody who doesn’t love a good mystery, and the seller of this 1955 Chevrolet seems willing to supply one for us. They appear confused about what model it is and are willing to hand the question to potential buyers ready to perform a spot of detective work. However, I think we will be able to sort out that mystery before the end of this article. The ’55 doesn’t currently run, but returning it to a roadworthy state may not be a major undertaking. It may even present well as a driver-quality classic with a wash and polish. Located in South Minnesota, you will find the Chevrolet listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to sit at $15,200.
The story of this ’55 is slightly confused, but let’s try and sort through what we know. It seems that when the previous owner passed away, the title for this classic was lost. The current owner sourced a replacement title, which is where the water becomes muddy. The title indicates that this is a 150, but the trim and chrome suggest that this is a 210. The seller is staking their claim on the belief that it is the more upmarket version, but I’m unconvinced. The seller includes a VIN in the listing, and if it is accurate, it leaves no doubt that this is a 1955 Chevrolet 150 that rolled off the line with a six-cylinder motor under the hood. Its paint adds further to the mystery because it wears a combination that looks like Neptune Green and India Ivory under the dust accumulated during years in storage. The fly in the ointment is that Chevrolet didn’t offer that mix during 1955. A buyer could team Neptune Green with Shoreline Beige, but this doesn’t look dark enough to be that shade. Whatever the truth, the paint looks like it might respond positively to a wash, and some work with a high-quality polish. There are plenty of small defects, but if potential buyers seek a driver-quality car that they can return to active duty with the minimum of fuss, this ’55 has potential. The panels are pretty straight, but a crack in the driver’s side rear quarter panel requires further investigation. It may be nothing more than a crack in the paint, or it could indicate Bondo that’s on the move. The best news is the lack of rust problems. There is nothing visible in the supplied photos, and the seller says the frame has been cleaned and painted. The exterior trim is consistent with that found on a 210, but adding that type of trim to a 150 is not a big job. I suspect that had happened here, probably when the existing paint was applied. The glass looks good, and the overall impression is that this old Chevy has no immediate needs.
For potential buyers, the news inside this Chevy is probably more positive than the exterior. The seller’s father retrimmed the interior in a two-tone green combination that Chevrolet only offered in the 210 and some Bel Air models for that year. This has probably further added to the seller’s confusion about this classic. There are a few hard-trim items that the buyer will need to reattach, but the interior is complete and in good order. There is a stain visible on the headliner, but that is one of the few flaws worth noting. Still, if you never look up, you’ll never notice it! Replacing the headliner would be a cheap and easy exercise, but it wouldn’t need to happen immediately.
As is often the case with these Tri-Five Chevrolets, the drivetrain on this classic has received some sensible upgrades. It seems that the car rolled off the line equipped with a 235ci six-cylinder engine and a two-speed Powerglide transmission. Chevrolet was keen to minimize the performance loss associated with the automatic transmission, so engine power increased from 123hp to 136hp in “auto” models. However, it still meant that this car would have taken a relatively leisurely 20.1 seconds to wander through the ¼ mile. As often happens with these classics, a previous owner performed a few upgrades. The original drivetrain made way for a 350ci small-block that sends the power to the rear wheels via a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. As upgrades go, they don’t come more basic than this. They are so common that many speed shops offer kits with all the required hardware off the shelf. The previous owner also added a brake booster, but it isn’t clear whether they upgraded the remaining brake components. The brake lines aren’t connected, so they will require attention. More pressing is that the small-block doesn’t run. The seller indicates it isn’t getting fuel, suggesting a faulty pump, blocked lines, or sludge in the tank. A fuel system flush will be the minimum required, although the buyer needs to brace for the prospect of a shopping list that may include new lines, a pump, and a rebuild on the existing Edelbrock carburetor. That sounds daunting, but the buyer could complete most tasks in a home workshop. Who knows, but returning the Chevy to active duty before summer arrives could be possible.
For me, the mystery of this 1955 Chevrolet is not difficult to solve. Leaving aside the exterior trim and chrome, if the VIN as supplied in the listing is correct, there is no doubt in my mind that this is a 1955 Chevrolet 150. If I’m right, it rolled off the line with a six-cylinder engine under the hood but has received some mechanical upgrades. The person responsible followed a proven path, meaning returning the car to a roadworthy state should not be difficult. Do you agree with my assessment, or have I missed something blindingly obvious? More importantly, are you tempted to drop a bid on this classic so that you can get it running before the fine weather hits? If you do, I could hardly blame you.
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Comments
Man…please don’t take this the wrong way but that was a painful read!
I agree – and what’s the mystery ? A lot can happen to a car in 67 years so a change in paint or pieces of trim to upgrade a cheapo 6cyl car is not uncommon, especially a tri 5 Chevy
“Replacing the headliner would be a cheap and easy exercise,”… obviously the author has never replaced a headliner in one of these
While Rochester’s are full of wizardry and magical sorcery making them “daunting” to rebuild, Edelbrock’s and Holley’s are stupid simple to rebuild.
I like this car a lot if it stays under $20k
I am thinking it is Indian Ivory and Regal Turquois. Number 612 in the 1955 pallet found here:
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5acb928012b13f65311c7c48/1580150307207-L20EGD5YNZSEL4S6VWDT/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kDEO0OSEkY5SFsa8NMG9Uzx7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk725yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK65_fV7S1UTjf1DWUvQyG4gW79XxE7zddkN8snpHbEkC3iBisjdX_AdXSCt-bNc4vcIUI0RyY_w/1955+Chevy_Trim-1.jpg
Pretty obvious it’s a 210, side trim, 2 spoke steering wheel.
I am no expert, but there are a lot of inconsistency’s ,to actually say what model this is. They are all things that could easily be changed. If it is really that important the VIN would have to be the deciding factor. The more I look at the car ,the more I think it could be a good buy and a good start.
Like so many other old cars, after 67 years and countless previous owners, who knows what changes this car has seen since it was new?
I wouldn’t put much faith in what the car’s title says either. The seller admits that he needed to have a new title issued, and the VIN listed in the ad is not right for a 55 Chevrolet. The 4th digit should be a letter to identify the assembly plant, but the VIN listed has a “1” in the 4th position, not a letter.
It possibly doesn’t run because they may have put too long of a motor mount bolt in the top RH mount, that hole goes straight through to the fuel pump push rod. Many push rods were bent that way, and the rod doesn’t move very well with a bolt tightened up to it, causing no fuel flow.
I’m a little confused.
Everyone made a little sense in trying figure out this 55! Except the motor mount guy. Fuel pump motor mounts aren’t that close. Sorry I got lost
The paint divider chome at back of quarter panel is a Bel-Aie Air piece
The paint divider chrome at back of quarter panel is a Bel-Aie Air piece
In 1955 Chevy also made a Delray which was nicer than a 150, but not as nice as a Belair. If the headliner is vinyl then it would be a Delray. The Delray had the vertical chrome trim like the Belair on the read quarter panel, but missed the chrome trim on the front fender.
That VIN # is for a 6 cylinder, model 150 car. That isn’t a Del Rey interior either. I suspect the VIN # has been changed. Putting chrome trim around the windshield and back window requires removal of the glass and a different window gasket that what is on a model 150.
OR, like the song says, it was taken out of the factory one piece at a time.
Note that the car has the V8 emblems below the tailights so if this was originally a six those have been added as well.
They even added V trim under tail
Lights to signify V8. As someone stated , a lot can change in 67 years.
It’s a BelAir. Interior is BelAir with dash stainless/chevy emblems and cloth seats. Exterior is also BelAir with paint divider.
It’s definitely not a BelAir, door panels are 210. BelAir armrests were integrated into the door panels. The armrests are currently backwards as well. L/s is on the right door and vice versa. I would be more inclined to think the vin plate was swapped. The ‘1’ after the 55 in the vin could be a misread ‘L’ for Los Angeles.
Very common for owners of 150 and 210’s to add BelAir dash stainless with little bow ties, more attractive paint BelAir paint dividers, V8 gold emblems below to the taillights, etc. This car has 210 stainless side trim and it’s doubtful someone would replace BelAir trim with 210 trim. 150’s had no stainless whatsoever whether around the windows or side trim as this one more likely was a 210 when new.
Not worth 15k.
Well if they added the V8 they at least took the time and effort to put the V8 flags under the tail lights
It’s definitely not a BelAir, door panels are 210. BelAir armrests were integrated into the door panels. The armrests are currently backwards as well. L/s is on the right door and vice versa. I would be more inclined to think the vin plate was swapped. The ‘1’ after the 55 in the vin could be a misread ‘L’ for Los Angeles. The car also appears to have been rear-ended.
Had a ‘55 210 4 door. Built like a tank. Was hit from behind on a freeway in California, flipped over in the median, and all survived with few injuries. Great car.
It has Bel Air dash trim with the 978 bowties. This area was painted on 210s and 150s.
Look at pic 7 on E bay if it was Bel-Air dash would say Bel-Air on pass side not Chevrolet,and radiator is in 6 cylinder position.
Well, I would love to have it in my garage. Looks like a nice start to something fun.
It’s not stock so now it doesn’t make a difference.
Well from the comments it appears to be more of a mystery than at first thought!
I had a Delray. It had no side trim and had plaid seat covers. It started as a 6 cyl. automatic. I changed it to a 265 V8 with a 3 speed stick trans. Really made a difference. Loved that car till it got rear-ended. Too much damage to fix it.
Nice ’55! No matter if it’s a 150 or 210, does originality matter as far as value goes since it’s got a different engine/trans.? The previous owner (R.I.P.) did a great job getting it to this stage of restoration. Wouldn’t take much to have this at a car show this Summer! It would look good with steel wheels and baby moons or poverty caps IMO. $16,500 with a day to go.