Tri-Five Delight! 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
It’s always a plus when you run across a ’55 Chevrolet with a history that can also be traced back the same number of years, but additional good news when the car happens to be the top-of-the-line Bel Air offering. Not that the 150 or 210 are in any way undesirable models, but the Bel Air came with the most trim and remains one of the icons that tri-five ownership dreams are made of. This one’s a beauty, and it seems I’m not the only admirer who thinks so, as 23 bids have pushed the price up to $19,100 already, with more cash required before the owner is ready to let go as the reserve has yet to be seen. The Chevy can be found here on eBay and is located in Matherville, Illinois, if you want to go take a look.
The seller purchased the Bel Air back in 2015, but prior to his acquisition the car resided in San Luis Obispo, California under the same ownership for the past 47 years, and if I did the math correctly that equals only two caretakers over the last 55 years, not very many considering how often many of these cars have exchanged hands over the decades. This one’s also mostly untampered with and largely original, although the hardtop did receive its first repaint back in the seventies which the owner says still looks great, and judging from the exterior photos I tend to agree.
A look inside reveals an interior stated to consist of the original components including the door panels, and I’m liking not only how well those see-through covers have protected the seats but also how clean and clear the plastic still remains. Just about everything in there seems well preserved, and the preservation extends back to the trunk area as well, with even the crevices and weather stripping seeming to still be in exceptionally nice shape. Even though it’s tearing, I wouldn’t be surprised if the instruction sheet near the spare tire is the factory-installed sticker.
Things under the hood appear tidy and orderly, with the 235 cubic-inch inline 6 getting a rebuild back in the eighties, and it’s paired with a Powerglide automatic transmission. One downfall when shopping for a tri-five is that so many have gotten plagued with rust issues, but that doesn’t appear to be a problem here other than just some surface corrosion on the underside, with nothing I spotted down below appearing like a cause for concern. This one certainly seems like a ’55 most any Chevy fan would be proud to own, and I’m guessing the price will continue to steadily climb higher during the next few days. What are your thoughts on this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air?
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Comments
The body color in the engine compartment suggests this car has had a repaint at some point.
Do you ever bother to read the description or just make comments….
And maybe google “1955 Chevrolet engine compartment”. They were all body-color under the hood.
And looks like they did a great job!
It says that in the ad, so no news there.
Auction listing states there was a repaint.
People need a dictionary these days. Clearly states repainted. The car is far from original. Nice car, but the way people drive today, you will get run over trying to enjoy your classic.
even being a 6cyl/w powerglide it is an old dude’s dream. Nice car and hopefully goes to someone that will truly appreciate it. Normally I wouldn’t say this but maybe I should move one of my Ford’s over and find a spot for it.
Now c’mon guys… You gotta admit this is a pretty classy car! If I had a place to store it when it rains and winter time I would be calling the owner to inspect athis baby and possibly take her home with me. I’m 70 years old and my father had one of these cars in the mid 60’s while his was getting fixed at the dealer.
The ride was awesome. 238(?) V8 with 3 speed on the column awe, I tried to get him to buy it for me. But what father buy’s a 10 year old a car?! Sorry everyone I got carried away. Just love this ’55!!!
Weeellll 7 years ago I DID give my then 10 years old son my rusty but good running 1973 K10 lol. I definitely know that isn’t common though so I can’t fault your father.
This is a nice car.If you get the tri-five bug, this is a great place to start. The 235 and 2 speed is a nice (if slow) combination, but will make a nice cruiser. And a light front will make it easier to steer and stop. The re-paint is somewhat darker than the original turquoise that is seen in under the hood. It remains to be seen what it will sell for, but 20 K is a bargain.
Nice one, sadly I would guess it is destined for a V8 swap. Also, I think a previous poster meant not only a repaint but a color change as well.
Nice one, sadly I would guess it is destined for a V8 swap. Hard to tell, but it looks that repaint was a color change as well.
6cylinder? Ugh!!! Not for me.
No problem then, don’t buy it.
Actually the 235 is 150lb heavier than a small block.
This is my high school car and I would love to have it. Obviously the bids are going to go up. Because of the six they might stay low. Because of my High school ride at some point ,I would make it a V-8 car, but I don’t think that is a bad thing.
I would love to have that, six cylinder, PG, just like it is. Not a complaint at all, but I do have a question for you Chevy folks. I’m wondering about that bolt in the center of the rear bumper. There’s also a couple of holes drilled into what looks like a cross member so I’m wondering if there was a hitch back there. Wouldn’t bother me if there was if I was interested in buying it.
Very pretty.
Even though I’m not a six banger guy.and had a 4 door 56 hardtop V-8 back in 1973 that I paid.$250.00 for! …wow…I would be happy to have this one.
The word ‘original’ has lost it’s meaning as well. If ‘original’ means with the paint and engine and suspension as it came from the factory and built and applied by the factory.well…………
Weeellll 7 years ago I DID give my then 10 years old son my rusty but good running 1973 K10 lol. I definitely know that isn’t common though so I can’t fault your father.
A beauty! Look at how accessible those sparking plugs are. On some new cars, you have to dismantle some suspension, just to get at them.
That center bolt fastened the bumper to frame. You will notice there also is a bolt on each side of the bumper where it curves around. There may have been another bolt on the right side, I don’t exactly remember. Anyway, six cylinder or not I would take it. Just don’t have a place to keep it away from mother nature the way it should be.
It’s not a big deal, I guess, but that bolt in the center was very obvious to me when I first saw it, and didn’t look right being there. I searched 55 Chevys and I don’t think it’s factory. If I can nit-pick a little, it also looks like someone tightened it a little too much.
the car looks great for it’s age repaint or not & yes I agree w Rbig18 ; while the 6 cylinder will move the car fine it s a bit under powered for a car this size & weight & a v 8 swap could be required in future ?! I’ m thinking 327 would be sufficient to move this car ;& even though I ‘ m a Chevelle guy I love the tri 5 s cool classic car !