1955 Chevrolet 150 2-Door Sedan
This was the year it all began for the now-famous Tri-Five Chevy. In 1955 Chevrolet released the first model year of this iconic line. The 150 and 210 models were certainly well-received, especially when outfitted with the optional V8 engine. The One-Fifty was mainly conceived as a fleet model and little effort was spent marketing it to the average car buyer of the day, although sales weren't limited to fleets. It was most popular with police, state governments, small businesses, economy-minded consumers and hot rodders. Chevrolet sold substantially fewer One-Fifties than Two-Tens or the Chevrolet Bel Air in every year of its life. True to Chevrolet's vision, the 150 was no-frills basic transportation.
For consignment, the first year of the Tri-Five craze coming to life in the main showroom of our Classic Auto Mall. Undergoing an extensive restoration to turn the car into a pro tourer with about 1,000 miles logged on the build, its spit shined and beautiful with rust free steel panels, beautiful two-tone paint broken up by a belt line dip, and plenty of other chrome. A larger power plant,( and then some!), beautiful interior, custom chassis, and nicely done all over are just a few of this star's shining features. A 1,2,3 O'clock 4 O'clock rock!
Exterior
Starting up front with a custom horizontal stainless ribbed grille framed in wide chrome we see it as a ground to the shaved hood. An oval LED turn signal light in a wide chromed bezel is on either edge hovering under the visored single halogen headlights on either corner of the front quarters and a shiny bumper wraps around the bottom. The hood has a custom cutout to accommodate the Hilborn blower hat and on the front quarter is a "fuel injected" badge in your grandmother's handwriting and chromed. Custom PPG mixed paint by Korek designs is a Brandywine water base over PPG black and it's is the deep end of the pool. This bathes the front half of the car and rear quarter lowers. The delineation is a stunning belt line trim spear which takes a dip from the bump in the rear glass and runs the uppers of the rear quarters. Here we see the two in the two tones in the form of Brandywine red and it too is very deep. It covers shaved drip rail roofline and the now shaved trunk. This 55 uses a wrap around glass design and it is trimmed by stainless in impeccable condition, a real step up from the factory black rubber surrounds. For the back of the car on each rear quarter corner upper are the triangular LED tail lights and back up lights below. A perfectly shined rear bumper is on the bottom, and chromed exhaust tips peek out from each corner. This showpiece rides custom 1-off Raceline wheels with a 3 bar spinner in the center show in 18-inch fronts and 20-inch rears and are wrapped in all low profile 225/40/ZR18's in front and 305/35ZR20's in back.
Interior
Swing the custom charcoal gray leather door panel and just breathe it in baby! Tight as a drum for these panels and of course shiny knobs and actuators. Inside an all custom charcoal gray leather interior by RP interiors features a power front bench with a fold down wide armrest and a custom cutout for the shift lever which has a long curved arm and a chromed Cal Customs "alien head" 60's topper. These seats are wide and comfy. In back, the rear bench is now removed and a two tone painted classic roll bar is bolted in a carpeted storage area. It is surrounded by stitched leather sides and back panels. Up front, a winged badged rally wheel with 3 chromed bell bottom spokes and a rubber wheel rim is fronting an amazing dash. This dash keeps with the factory theme but has been completely reworked in a chromed ribbed background and all new AutoMeter black face sweep round gauges. On the column is a signed Don Garlits vintage tachometer and the curved dash top is in the deep Brandywine paint. In dash center is another lineup of gauges in a horizontal polished ribbed panel and a black painted glove box is below. Another padded strip below this panel and we note AC vents. In front of the passenger is the fan design with a Chevrolet badge in the center. Charcoal gray carpeting is on the floors and is just perfect. Above is a dark gray leather headliner.
Drivetrain
Under that scooped cutout hood is the heart of the matter. It shows as a 407ci V8. It is a Dart block based stroker engine and has Comp Cams solid roller camshaft, 3 piece timing cover, Eagle rotating assembly and JE blower pistons. The consignor states the car has been dyno'd at 540rwhp on pump gas. This engine also has AFR cylinder heads and TD shaft mount rockers. The car is fed by a Hilborn blower hat, Big Stuff 3 fuel injection, and a Blower Shop 671 supercharger. A ful MSD ignition is on to keep the fires within lit. A 5-speed manual Tremec TKO 600 transmission with a Ram clutch and McLeod blow proof bellhousing is on back. The rear axle is a Strange Ford 9 inch with a 35 spline and a 3 inch driveshaft. The exhale starts off with custom 1-7/8 inch headers and 3-1/2 inch collectors that tie into the Flowmaster muffler equipped 3-inch setup with No Weeds electric cutouts. Spin the rear tires!
Undercarriage
Underneath we see an Art Morrison GT55 and Fatman Fabrications chassis and suspension, independent coil overs for the front, and a 4 link with coil overs on back. Brakes are 12 inch rotor Wilwood hydroboost power brakes on all 4 corners. Just a work of automotive jewelry for the underneath of this machine.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and all 8 are fired up and ready for the test track. This car is a screamer with plenty of power from the mighty mill. Good braking, excellent handling, super comfortable seats and a smooth cruise. All the controls were working like a charm save for the clutch being a VERY heavy push. I'm ready for my drive-in experience.
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. Well done on every aspect, a visual piece of eye candy, and mechanically a turnkey car ready to go and show. Talk about attracting attention, and it will not even have to leave your driveway. Just collect the trophies there!
A55L039664
A-1500 Series
55-1955
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
039664-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 www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
