Photo: Dutch Jrlmk/Facebook Marketplace
1955 was a big year for Chevrolet. It introduced the Tri-Five series and rolled out its first V8 engine in decades. The combo proved successful, and the Tri-Five sold nearly five million examples through 1957.
The lineup included various body styles and three trim levels: the entry-level 150, the mid-range 210, and the range-topping Bel Air. Despite its higher price tag, the fancied-up Bel Air was quite popular. Nearly 70 years later, it's among the most desirable classic cars from the era.
The market is currently packed with restored examples and beefed-up restomods. However, unrestored survivors are hard to come by, especially vehicles that are still complete and rust-free. The 1955 two-door hardtop you see here is one of those cars.
A proper barn find, this Chevy has been sitting in storage for nearly 60 years. According to the seller, it was owned by his dad, who purchased the car in the late 1950s. The father drove it until the mid-to-late 1960s before parking it in a garage for unspecified reasons.
The photos aren't the best and show a vehicle still in the garage covered in a thick layer of dust. Unfortunately, we also don't get to see the entire car in one picture, likely due to the tiny space it's parked in. However, the photos confirm that the vehicle is complete and rust-free (apart from the frame, which isn't featured).
The images also show a metallic green color, which wasn't part of the 1955 palette. The seller confirms the car rolled off the assembly line in Canary Yellow and was repainted during his dad's ownership. Assuming it happened before the car was parked, the paint looks surprisingly good.
Other than that, the Bel Air is pretty much a true-blue survivor. The turquoise interior is factory-correct and original, and all the trim is where it should be. The hardtop still has the original engine under the hood. It's the optional 265-cubic-inch (4.3-liter) V8, but there's no word on which version. Chevrolet offered the mill in three flavors: 150, 162, and 180 horsepower. The engine mates to a two-speed Powerglide automatic.
All told, we're looking at a really cool survivor with just one flaw: the repaint. Is it worth restoring? Well, given the current market values of Bel Air hardtops, I'd say yes. However, the car needs a thorough inspection to confirm that the frame is also in good condition (and it should be given the car was stored on a concrete floor).
But the price of the Bel Air is also an issue. The seller wants $55,000 for the hardtop, which is high for an example in this condition. For reference, the average auction price for restored examples is $66,000, and the value of vehicles that need restoration is well below the asking price. The fact that the owner didn't bother taking the car out of the garage for a proper photo shoot doesn't help either.
If you want to see the car, it's in Twin Falls, Idaho. How much do you think this Bel Air is actually worth? Let me know in the comments.
The market is currently packed with restored examples and beefed-up restomods. However, unrestored survivors are hard to come by, especially vehicles that are still complete and rust-free. The 1955 two-door hardtop you see here is one of those cars.
A proper barn find, this Chevy has been sitting in storage for nearly 60 years. According to the seller, it was owned by his dad, who purchased the car in the late 1950s. The father drove it until the mid-to-late 1960s before parking it in a garage for unspecified reasons.
The photos aren't the best and show a vehicle still in the garage covered in a thick layer of dust. Unfortunately, we also don't get to see the entire car in one picture, likely due to the tiny space it's parked in. However, the photos confirm that the vehicle is complete and rust-free (apart from the frame, which isn't featured).
The images also show a metallic green color, which wasn't part of the 1955 palette. The seller confirms the car rolled off the assembly line in Canary Yellow and was repainted during his dad's ownership. Assuming it happened before the car was parked, the paint looks surprisingly good.
Other than that, the Bel Air is pretty much a true-blue survivor. The turquoise interior is factory-correct and original, and all the trim is where it should be. The hardtop still has the original engine under the hood. It's the optional 265-cubic-inch (4.3-liter) V8, but there's no word on which version. Chevrolet offered the mill in three flavors: 150, 162, and 180 horsepower. The engine mates to a two-speed Powerglide automatic.
All told, we're looking at a really cool survivor with just one flaw: the repaint. Is it worth restoring? Well, given the current market values of Bel Air hardtops, I'd say yes. However, the car needs a thorough inspection to confirm that the frame is also in good condition (and it should be given the car was stored on a concrete floor).
But the price of the Bel Air is also an issue. The seller wants $55,000 for the hardtop, which is high for an example in this condition. For reference, the average auction price for restored examples is $66,000, and the value of vehicles that need restoration is well below the asking price. The fact that the owner didn't bother taking the car out of the garage for a proper photo shoot doesn't help either.
If you want to see the car, it's in Twin Falls, Idaho. How much do you think this Bel Air is actually worth? Let me know in the comments.
Google News