1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery
Sedan delivery vehicles were commercial vehicles, with generally bare bones in terms of trim and had minimal non-essential features. Spartan in their design, they mostly were used for light-duty business use, delivering goods to customers. The various car manufacturers that produced their Sedan Delivery models over the years were after commercial markets that desired more cargo capacity than the standard passenger cars and station wagons, and also appeal to customers that didn't require a full-fledged truck for cargo hauling. While at first glance, certain Sedan Delivery models appear to simply be 2-door station wagons with the side windows eliminated, there were typically further differences inside the cargo area and in many instances, a single driver's seat was used.
This 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery up for consignment mixes business with pleasure. It received a total body-off restoration and has been thoroughly upgraded from its original workaday demeanor. The "freight" that this Sedan Delivery hauls is the metaphorical variety due to its 450-horsepower big-block Chevy V-8 engine, (in other words, it hauls ass!). Power steering, disc brakes, air conditioning and a modern dash system are all huge improvements over 1955 O.E.M. features.
Exterior
1955 saw the introduction of the Bel Air Nomad, a sporty two-door station wagon which featured frameless door glass and elongated side windows. From this came the sedan delivery version we are describing here. This all steel, rodded, covered window version is a beautiful restoration bathed in charcoal gray metallic and looks the part of the journeyman with some serious chops under all that steel. With its chromed egg crate grille inspired by Ferrari, and single visored Delta headlights now with LED driving halos on the corner of either front quarter, it is the introduction of the tri-five era and then some. Wrap around front glass, covered side windows, and a large access rear lift gate allow plenty of room for the goods or tools of your trade to be carried, in style! The paint is expertly applied, the design is definitely iconic, and for this writer the best version of the tri-fives, and based in recent sales of the 55's I could be correct!? All of the chrome is all excellent and shiny, and the glass is tinted. Some trimmings have been removed for simplification and based on its status of the SD model, this is apropos. No rust in sight, and shiny 17-inch front and 18-inch rear Show-wheels are wrapped in 225/45ZR17 front rubber and 235/50ZR18 rear rubber looking like new. Just a beautiful example of a rare car with few surviving.
Interior
With its main purpose in life to haul the goods we can start in the back for the cargo area. Here it's lined with laminate wood panels from the gate to mid cabin, then gray carpeting takes over. Some gray broadcloth covers the sides and wheel well coverings inside. Floating on the gray carpeting upfront is a nice wide split back bench which is made up of smooth black vinyl bolsters and tweed gray tuck and roll inserts. The bench has seat belts added. Gray carpeting covers the front floors as well, and in the center of the hump is a Lokar shifter with a piston topper reaching for the driver. Behind the Ididit tilt column is a billet styled rally steering wheel and in front is a factory shaped dash with its beautiful dual fan design for the driver and passenger. The dash front has been modded as a Pete's Billet style dash with chromed horizontal ribbing and dark gray steel rounded over dash top. The gauges are all changed over to Dakota Digital readouts, an aftermarket radio is in, as are Vintage air vents and controls below the dash in the center. In front of the passenger is the second fan bump up and this sports a digital readout clock in the central circle below the fan design. Above is a nice tight paneled gray tweed headliner. And the doors are done with tuck and roll tweed and black vinyl to create just the perfect mix for said panels. Billet cranks and actuators are now within this field. Just a great job simplifying and modernizing this interior yet retaining the original design.
Drivetrain
Stuffed under the hood in a completely restored engine bay is now a massive 454ci V8. It has Edelbrock aluminum heads with satin black valve coverings and Edelbrock badging in them. On top is a 4-barrel carburetor and on back a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission with a 2500rpm stall converter. On the back is a Currie rear axle weighing in as a Ford 9 inch 3.50 gear ratio. Headers and a Flowmaster exhaust are on for the exhale aiding. Supple hoses, and an aluminum radiator are in to keep things all cool under here.
Undercarriage
Definitely competing with the topside for niceties, this all black coated steel undercarriage is solid as a rock. It has 2.5 inch drop spindles and independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the back. Disc brakes are on front and drums in back. Plenty of niceness under here!
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and off to the test track all loaded up with my gear and deliveries, I saw first hand just how good this car performs. Fab acceleration, good handling, and a smooth ride and shifting with bias free panic stopping on a dime. All functions and accents were working great. I did experience a bit of a pull to the left while driving, and the horn did not blow.
A sedan delivery and it definitely goes in tasteful non bragging style, just proves itself on performance. A nice interior treatment with modern upgrades. All you need to do now is make the purchase and put "your name here" on the covered window sides and you mean some serious business. What a great job, can you tell I'm in love with this car?!
D55S022334
D-Sedan Delivery
55-1955
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
022334-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.
