Rolling Project: 1955 Chevrolet 210
The 210 (or Two-Ten) was the midrange model of the Chevy line-up from 1953-57. Its name was derived by taking the production series number (2100) and shortening it by one digit (the lesser 1500 was the 150). The 210 would be replaced by the Biscayne in 1958. The seller’s 210 is one from the first year Tri Fives as they became known (1955-57) and the 2-door sedan was quite popular. Located in Kiefer, Oklahoma, this Chevy looks like a project that never got off the ground. It’s now available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $3,800.
All Chevrolets got a new chassis in 1955 and a small-block V8 engine would finally arrive with a displacement of 265 cubic inches. While that motor was available in any Chevrolet, most 150s and 210s likely came with the “Blue Flame” inline-six. We don’t know which of the two powerplants started in the seller’s car but it likely was an automatic given the pedal configuration under the dash. The drivetrain is long gone in this Tri-Five, so the buyer has something of a clean but rusty slate to work with. Out of nearly 1.8 million Chevies that were built in 1955, exactly 250,000 left the assembly lines as a 210 2-door post sedan.
Due in part to being outdoors for some time (the seller has owned the car for five years), there is plenty of rust that the seller is not shy about. The floorboards are shot, and part of the trunk floor is said to be good, although the lid was wired down after some pics were taken and won’t reopen. There is a bunch of stuff inside the trunk that will go with the car as a result. The rear quarter panels have issues at the bottoms behind and including the doors and the rocker panels are also rough.
The windshield and door glass have been broken, but the other pieces are good and so is the exterior stainless trim. The interior has been stripped and – in an unusual move – someone has converted the steering column to the tilting variety, not an option that Chevy would offer until the 1960s. The rear end is not original to the car and may have come out of a Camaro; the leaf springs have also been relocated (was the car perhaps intended to be a racer at one point?). While the seller has had the car awhile, he only recently had the title changed to his name and is waiting for that to return via the USPS.
Although the Bel Air models tend to fetch more, Hagerty says that a top-flight 210 from 1955 can bring as much as $44,000. So perhaps this car could be inspired to reach those levels again one day, but it will be an expensive venture to get there. Fortunately, Tri-Five Chevy parts are not in short supply, but like with parts, in general, these days, they may not come cheaply.
Comments
The lack of trim below the tail lights indicate the car was delivered with a six. The leading B in the VIN confirms this.
What makes this rusty, hacked, and stripped Delray worth its current bid of $4250? It’s not even a parts car.
Hello, its a 2 dr 55 Chevy thats what makes it worth the price, and it will sell! Keep this car in 5-10 years you will selling it for twice or more the going price!
Five or ten years? We older Boomers won’t be turn wrenches, grinding Bondo or rooting around junkyards (if there are any left).
Not likely that we’ll be paying someone to do it for us either.
Old cars can be fun but, like a six pack of beer, not an investment.
But what will the cost to restore/rebuild end up being? The engine bay is completely empty, except perhaps for the hood helper springs. And it’s great you can see the future, ’cause I sure can’t, and it’s not certain these cars will continue to escalate in desirability by those with the funds to purchase.
Sourcing a drivetrain is inexpensive compared to the costs involved with fixing a car with substantial rust. That’s the quickest way to kill a budget.
These cars will always be desirable and don’t have to break the bank if someone makes smart decisions when restoring/refurbishing a car.
Steve R
I have been in this industry for over 50 years, buying, selling, repairing, building etc. I have owned them all, chevelles, novas, camaros, mustangs etc. The car which seems to continue to best the market year after year on average is the 55-57 Chevys. These cars are the icons of the motor industry and also were the introduction of a new style of sports cars, for the mid 20th century. I hope they are a few more individuals who do not have a vision of the future for these cars, more left for me to covet and purchase!
It’s a good start shell with the basics to get you going on your search for a rear end that Pozi 12 bolt and a transmission, plus a good big block like a 454 or 502 Crate. Personally, I’d go for this if it lands under $9k U$D, but I’d balk at over. Currently there are 22 bidders so we know that a number of those bidders are just goosing the bid with salt.
The 55 is the best for body off rotisserie and it is most plentiful for aftermarket parts.
The shell is a rotisserie job with lots of sandblasting everywhere before primer and bodywork. Chrome needs to be done everywhere so that’s the real cost of this buy as the whole package will run well over $6k finished ready to install.
Welding is minimal so it’s an all round good buy under $9k U$D, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise because they don’t know what they are talking about on this kind of old tin.
Happy motoring!
Bob
With no drivetrain in it, this car is a blank canvas. I smell a Two Lane Blacktop tribute car.
Some hack took out the core support to get a junk motor out! BUTCHERY! Hayseed mechanics!
Blasphemi clone. One of my favorite 55’s of all time. And it just keeps getting better (and faster!)
I can’t remember how many, that looked like this one, we sacrificed to the Midwest dirt tracks ! Hobby stocks !