1955 Chevrolet 210 2 Door Station Wagon
The term "station wagon" is used to describe the body style of a car that has a longer roof line, multiple rows of passenger seating and a cargo liftgate in the back. Over the years, this type of vehicle has evolved, and it continues to influence the automotive industry. The history of the station wagon is quite interesting and displays the way that society dictates what cars are manufactured. In the beginning, a station wagon was known as a "depot hack" because it was used to carry passengers and cargo after they got off of trains. The early design was based on a truck platform that did not contain doors. In 1922, the first enclosed station wagon was introduced. Ford began using a wood-based design that was extremely popular at this time. Following WWII, technology advanced, and steel replaced wood as the major material used to manufacture this type of vehicle. The first factory-built steel wagon belonged to Jeep. The modern design of a station wagon reached its peak in the 1960s. This decade saw the development of compact, mid-size and full-size wagons. A person could choose between a two-way, three-way, side-by-side or liftback option. Buick and Oldsmobile got creative and invented a raised roof that had glass panels and a glass sunroof.
For consignment, a 1955 Chevrolet 210 station wagon, often mistaken for a Handyman or a Nomad but if you understand the difference between a 2dr sedan and a 2dr hardtop, (hardtop has no post), then a Nomad is a 2dr hardtop wagon, thus it has no posts on the doors. The Nomad is ONLY in the Bel Air series, (no such thing as 210 or 150 Nomad). That aside, this Pro-Streeted rodder would make any handyman proud and also make them look very successful as they move from job to job...albeit very quickly. With a custom lift off fiberglass hood, fiberglass front end, tubbed rear to accommodate huge tires, and a worked over 454ci, you could literally drive this shower and goer to the jobsite then to the late night drags and come home a few dollars ahead.
Exterior
With the lowers all bathed in Tropical Turquoise, there are just a few noticeable faults within its deep paint, (minor inclusion and solvent pop), which bathes all of the body up to the lower window line. The long metal top, sans ribs as that's a Nomad feature, shows in mirror like Imperial Ivory and the chrome on this car is spectacular to say the least. From the jet age hood ornament to the mirrors, window trimmings around the crystal clear glass, bumpers and chromed egg crate grille, it's all show car quality. On either side we see a fab trim spear that runs from the middle of the rear doors and streaks back taping off to a point just ahead of the end of the rear quarter panel. All other side trimmings have been removed, giving the illusion of motion even when the car is standing still. The front bumper is a one piece design with guards, and on back triangular tail lighting wraps around the ever so slight hint of a tail fin. 15-inch polished Cragar Street Star wheels are wrapped with some skinnies in the front and 315/70 fatties in the rear. The neat thing about this exterior is the tasteful use of chrome with the 2 tone paint over the dzus fastened fiberglass front fenders and hood, it's not too little and not too much. Just right baby bear.
Interior
A swing of either of the 2 doors and I'll be seeing you in all the familiar places with custom white vinyl door panels dressed with some turquoise buttoning within the diamond pleat stitching and with uber shiny cranks, power window toggles, and handles. Inside, immediately your eye races to the dash where the only 1955 dual fan dash exists in Tropical Turquoise painted metal top glory. Chromed bezels, knobs, pulls and steering column with a tachometer strapped on gleam for your attention, and you just cannot put it down. A perforated white vinyl band runs through the dash center and sports a trio of AutoMeter black face gauges. Below we note the factory heater slides and a cross bar for the 12 point turquoise finished roll cage hanging below. The center has the glove box and in front of the passenger is the second fan bump up within the dash, this one housing a ribbed black panel and Bel Air script in grandmother's pen. Below is turquoise carpeting that is beautiful enough to walk on as you enter the dinner gala. 2 like new diamond pleated and buttoned white vinyl racing buckets offer up the seating and a Hurst racing shifter is riding the hump. In the back cargo area is miles of aluminum flooring, a jungle gym worth of roll cage tubing and more white diamond pleated vinyl covering the sides. This holds true for the interior of the gate and a tighty whitey headliner is above and presents with many panels and all clean providing the perfect backdrop for the custom roll cage.
Drivetrain
Under the lift off hood and within the liner less roll cage equipped engine bay is a turquoise painted block and otherwise gleaming 454ci V8. It is topped with an Edelbrock Victor 454r intake and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor. On the back is strapped a new TH400 3-speed automatic tranny with a performance stall converter and deep sump pan. Wayyyy in the back is the narrowed Mark Williams Ford 9-inch rear axle. All bolt ons and other mechanicals are polished for a corrosion free showroom condition, including the front motor plate. MSD is in charge of the ignition and for the HUGE exhale we note custom built powder coated headers with 3-inch exhaust and stainless steel mufflers.
Undercarriage
Frame and floor pans as well as spare tire housing, suspension and rockers are all fully restored and painted with nice black paint. For the front, an independent coil spring suspension and on back a 4 link with a panhard bar is supported by adjustable coil overs. We note disc brakes are now on the front and rear giving the car a woah factor on steroids.
Drive-Ability
A super quick starter, nice sound, great power, even nicer acceleration and handling, and stops on a dime. All in the comfort of racy interior seating and all functioning interior controls, all floating in perfectly preserved turquoise carpeting. The only exterior issues we noticed was the horn wouldn't toot, the wipers and heater have been deleted, but then again, how often do you plan on driving in a cold rain?
We get some fabulous cars in every shape and style, but this one is really one of the nicest and raciest 210 wagons I've had the pleasure to have laid my eyes on. A wonderful build and well planned upgrades that tick like a swiss watch, and looks like a Rolex.
VB55B014281
V-V8
B-2100 Series
55-1955
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
014281-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is w
