Body-off build in fantastic condition. Great color combination. Fresh 350 cubic inch V8, 4-speed manual transmission, Vintage Air A/C and heat, power disc brakes, power steering, and more! The Tri-Five cruiser you always wanted to own!
This is the kind of car where the list of new equipment would be ten pages long. Theres almost nothing that hasnt been restored, replaced, or upgraded along the way, making it one of the most appealing 55s weve ever featured. Its sensibly upgraded with all the equipment that our clients seem to want, making it incredibly easy to drive, and boy is it a lot of fun out on the road! The two-tone Hugger Orange and India Ivory paint job is a little bit traditional and a little bit hot rod, and it looks awesome on the clean 55 Bel Air hardtop bodywork. Underneath, the sheetmetal is in great shape with no evidence of serious damage or patchwork, and anything that was done was executed to a high standard because this sucker is laser straight. Nice panel gaps suggest good money was spent getting it into shape, and all the little details that make the first V8 Chevy special are there, from the eggcrate grille to the brilliant stainless side trim to the stylish 55 Chevy taillights. 1-piece bumpers and a shaved hood give it a slight custom look that makes it stand out without erasing what it is. If you want a nice 55 hardtop, this one deserves a closer look.
The interior does a great job of mimicking the original look, using matching colors to create a cohesive whole. Vertical pleats with contrasting stitching are a 55 Chevy trademark look, and the nicely fitted carpets are a nice match. The original instrument panel was retained, but it was filled with modern Dakota Digital gauges that are far more comprehensive than the originals and offer a lot of extra features that were unimaginable in 1955. Other cool details include the controls for the Vintage Air A/C system matching the original sliders and a custom radio that slots neatly into the original AM units spot. Lighting is all LED for a trick high-tech look, and yes, thats a 4-speed Hurst shifter on the floor connected to a Saginaw gearbox underneath, making this 55 a lot of fun to drive. Other features include a tilt steering column with a custom billet wheel, matching rubber floor mats, and a beautifully fitted headliner with chrome bows that looks fantastic. The trunk is finished to stock specs with a reproduction rubber mat, and youll note the battery and cut-off switch were neatly stowed up and out of the way.
As a 55 Chevy, the 350 cubic inch small block bolted right in like it was born there, although this particular V8 is considerably more potent than the original. With an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and a Holley 4-barrel carb, it uses a reliable combination that was proven decades ago. Starts are quick and easy, it idles nicely, and theres plenty of power on tap to run through the gears. A Mallory electronic ignition system means low maintenance and theres a giant aluminum radiator up front to keep it nice and cool when cruising on warm summer days. A power-assisted dual master cylinder feeds power front disc brakes and with power steering, its a breeze to handle even in tight spots. Ceramic-coated long-tube headers feed a custom Flowmaster dual exhaust system that sounds muscular without being annoying, and the aforementioned Saginaw gearbox feeds a set of 2.73 gears in the original rear end to make this an effortless highway car. You can easily see how clean and solid the floors are, the rockers are unmarked, and it was finished much the way it would have been originally, with red oxide and satin black details. All the hardware is new, fresh body mounts ensure that it feels solid going down the road, and a new gas tank means no hassles from a contaminated fuel system. 15-inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels are the right choice on a period cruiser like this, and they carry staggered 215/65/15 front and 225/60/15 rear performance radials.
A beautifully finished Bel Air with all the upgrades, plus a 4-speed to make it entertaining to drive. Fully sorted and full of brand new components, its ready to rock, whether you take it to local shows or on a cross-country tour. Add in great colors, a nicely detailed undercarriage, and plenty of chrome, and you get a car that attracts attention no matter where it goes. Call today!
Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
