1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
For consignment, the first year of the Tri-Five craze coming to life in our South Hall, (subject to change!), of the Classic Auto Mall and sporting 96,271 non-verifiable miles as the title reads Mileage Exempt. Undergoing a motor change to a 327ci V8 engine, added on A/C, power steering, some custom body touches, a racy black vinyl interior, and an eye-catching paint job, this car will draw in looks no matter where you go.
Exterior
Starting up front, it's simple egg crate grille has been removed and now we see within white Ferrari style mouth opening, a 1953 Corvette toothy grille leading the way with shiny mirror like bumper on bottom, and single chrome high output headlight on either side with an oval turn signal below. The beginnings speak loudly to all the custom work to come on the exterior. Crispy clean white covers the entire car and is highlighted by flames licking rearward from the louvered and shaved hood. Yellow and orange make up the flames, but the cool factor comes in with the blue highlighting around the hand done edges. This paint is of the 10 footer category and shows with inclusions, areas of body filler that have started to bubble out, and runs in the finish over the rear wheel arches. 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 rearward towards the mid rear quarter, which takes us to the back of the car. This spear combo is the delineation between the upper and lower panels and lines of this beautiful design. 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 deeply tinted glass, all surrounded by chrome trimmings. On the back, gone are simple lamplighter style tail lights, and now we are met with fins and boomerang style inset tail lights courtesy of a 1956 Packard. Wrapping up the tail end of things is some flourish pinstriping and another beautiful bumper with dual pipes hedging a look out of the bottom of this beautiful creation. On all corners are shiny 14-inch Cragar SS wheels wrapped by staggered width radials in blackwall form.
Interior
A black interior, consisting of the door panels, headliner and seats, all have been installed during the build. Black vinyl with a factory correct tuck and roll pattern are on the door panels which are like new. Inside, a black vinyl bench with door matching tuck and roll horizontal inserts sits in a now black factory seat frame. The rear bench presents the same and has easy access with the flip of split front bench. The original steel dash, fronted by a black 1959 Impala style steering wheel sits in front of the benches in its dual fan bumped, black and a repeating stamped bowtie pattern stainless banding presentation. An aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette radio center mounted glove box, and lots of shining knobs and levers add to the dash, along with a nice speedo in the driver's side fan and a speaker in the other, emblazoned with the 50s style type font actually named Bel Air. Some aftermarket gauges hang below the dash along with an output vent for the added AC and a chrome handled Hurst shifter growing from the black carpeting. The headliner is near perfect and also shows in black.
Drivetrain
Within the unrestored engine bay is a 327ci V8 engine based on the HC stamping code. Some billet bling has been added in the form of flame etched valve covers and an air cleaner lid. An Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carburetor is on top, and on back is a Saginaw 4-speed manual transmission which throws power back to a 3.36 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Let's stick to the theme of unrestored but honest underneath, with no rust, a solid frame, body hangers, and floor pans. Throw in some dual exhaust with chambered mufflers, and independent coil springs and leaf springs to make up the front and rear suspension, and drum brakes are on all 4 corners. We note power steering has been added as well.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the keyed ignition and all 8 are fired up and ready for the test track. This car is a screamer with plenty of power, good braking, excellent handling, and a smooth cruise. All the controls were working like a charm. I'm ready for my drive-in experience. Throw 6 people in the trunk and let's get through the gate and pop open the case of beer we brought too. I found the horn did not work, but all else worked as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
We have several examples of the Tri-Five cars here at Classic Auto Mall, and this one certainly should be on your must see list, if indeed you fancy these bow tie years. Nicely done on the custom aspect, a visual piece of eye candy, and mechanically a turn key car ready to go and show. Talk about attracting attention, and it will not even have to leave your driveway. All snappy with the flamed paint, custom body work, and plenty of added trimmings, it could also rest in the center of your holiday table.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage
