Outdoor Find: 1955 Chevrolet BelAir Convertible
Oh boy, yet another 1955 Chevrolet! Sometimes it seems like there are more in existence now than there were years ago. Regardless, it is pretty amazing that they still have the enthusiast following that they do after all of these years. However, normally, I wouldn’t review one unless there was something really special about it and this one has two notable features, both its body style and its condition. It’s a convertible so that’s attention worthy and condition? Well, it usually has to be spectacular or deleterious for that to make the cut – stay tuned. This BelAir convertible is located in Miami, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $15,100 with 30 bids tendered so far.
With a completely new design, Chevrolet’s total ’55 production count was 1.7M passenger cars and the Bel Air convertible accounted for about 42K units (2.3%). It’s a small percentage but still a healthy volume – they’re just not that commonly found today, at least not compared to their hardtop or sedan versions.
This one of those 42K convertibles, however, has seen better days, much better days. Many will remember the old college prank of seeing how many kids could be crammed into a VW Beetle. Well, this ’55 has a similar hijinx going on by seeing how much junque can be shoved into the interior with the top down. And while that’s going on, let’s leave it outside, open to the elements with the top down, actually outside with no top at all. There is a partial image of the back seat but the rest is completely obscured.
The seller states, “I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS THERE INCLUDING MEDAL NEEDED TO BUILD THE CAR SUCH AS FLOOR PAN TRUNK PAN ETC“. And from what can be seen, that looks like the bulk of what’s occupying the interior. Considering the dented and rusty nature of this Chevy, it’s going to need panel patching and/or replacement. It also appears as if the body is loaded down with Bondo so that’s going to be another matter to manage.
There are no images of under the hood but we’re told that it’s a 136 gross HP, 235 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine that is lashed up to a Powerglide automatic transmission. The seller adds, “THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT CAR HAS BEEN SITTING EVER SENSE (sic)“. Beyond that, there’s not much to go on but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the next owner deep-sixes that old in-line motor.
In the short time that I have been working on this post, the bid has jumped from $13,900 to its current $15,100 and the reserve has fallen off – there is most definitely interest in this convertible. And that’s good to see as this is another valuable old car that you want to see saved but its outward (and inward) appearances aren’t so hot – both serve as major detractions. As I previously stated, I bet that motor is one of the first things to go. Beyond that, what else would you do with this desirable, when improved, convertible?
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Comments
I wonder what the owner paid for this a year ago ? Presumably not much if he was happy to leave it out in the elements.
$17100 and reserve not met? Ouch…Alot to be left to the imagination. Needs interior, top, floors, body work, paint, motor, trans, wiring, brakes, well….everything. I could go pick it up without worrying about shipping, but how much more money and time would this take before it even sees the road other than on a trailer? Think I will have to pass at this price point…and reserve not met.
I think I smell some shill bidders on this one. I would take the gas cap off and slide another car under it.
I wonder if the 58 impala is for sale? Maybe that’s why is selling the 56.
Yea Pete most of the recent bids are shills. Be careful. Look it over good.
Cheers
GPC
HUH??? Nope just send to the crusher its a mess no return and to much invested time….
It’s a Bel Air Delray Biscayne.
Lots of misspellings in the ad; the story makes no sense, as another poster noted. I don’t believe that thing’s been operable in memory.
I learned on the Liste of Craig: Misspellings, and incorrect identifications of the product, are done to weed out the “skeptical” prospects. Such sellers don’t want things questioned; they want a neat sale.
Seller claims the VIN tag is there but doesn’t provide a picture. That would at least clear up what model it is, and if the VIN tag is the same as the car body.
I use to own 3 55 Chevy’s, 1 55 -4dr. sedan and 2 55 rag tops. transmission went in one so I transferred interior to second rag top and put 283 power pac heads 327 manifold and ignition. This with 7 coats of sky blue lacquer paint with 3 coats of clear coat, you could put a ruler on hood and read 6 inches in reflection. put on new convertible top and drove it for 8 months before Uncle Sam came calling. Miss that beauty. Would like to find another but prices are astronomical for them today.
gaspumpchas, how do you know the bids are shills? I’m not disputing you, I’m asking how you know so the rest of us could learn a thing or two.
Those replacement panels look like the old Shott brand rust repair panels. These were often found in independent local auto parts stores. In fact at vocational school we had a pile of several hundred 50’s 60’s panels all with a light dusting of rust for us to practice on. Only these laying in the car out in the elements look like they are shot! Had to say it.