1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top - $74,995

Honestly, can you really do better than a super-clean, stock 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop? You simply can't beat the vintage two-tone look and classic color combination, the first-year 265 small block Chevy V8 that offers plenty of performance, or the fact this beauty was finished to a show-quality level. This Tri-5 was built right, with a keen eye toward originality, and there are a lot fewer of these around than you'd expect these days, especially in fantastic condition. If you like the '50s, and if you like Americana, there are few cars more iconic than this.
Gypsy Red and Shoreline Beige are quintessential colors on a Bel Air hardtop, and if you're looking for attention, you won't be able to escape it whenever you're behind the wheel of this car. The paint and bodywork were finished recently, so this baby is still very fresh with nary an imperfection or sign of use to speak of. Other than a miniscule imperfections or two (although if we're being honest, we haven't really found anything aside from a couple small chips inside the rear bumper), this Bel Air looks like it just left the restoration shop and has only been trailered to and from car shows ever since. Code 615 (Gypsy Red and Shoreline Beige) are indeed this car's original colors, and the builders were smart enough to not mess with a great thing, letting those period-perfect colors do all the talking instead. By the look of the laser straight sheetmetal and precise gaps, it's fairly obvious this was a great car before it was ever restored, and the skilled hands at the paint and body shop did an amazing job laying down this top-quality finish. It's a show-quality car, or at least would be considered as such by 99% of the population, but we always like to err on the side of caution in this subjective business. Although, we'll confidently say that you won't find much nicer at this price point. The bumpers were obviously re-chromed or replaced with OEM parts during the restoration because they shine up great fore and aft, and all that awesome-looking stainless brightwork was removed, straightened, and polished before being reinstalled and aligned. It is about as far from subtle as you'll find, but that's really the point, isn't it?
The interior is equally flashy and fully restored, with a fresh and clean look that will make you think twice before you get inside with dirty shoes. Wide bench seats will accommodate six in a pinch, and the pure 1950s look of the two-tone red and white upholstery will make everyone want a ride. Correctly piled and woven red carpets and fresh matching two-tone door panels complement the painted dash and original steering wheel, which are in truly excellent condition. An original all-in-one gauge cluster fits into the original instrument panel and offers a comprehensive view of the engine, an OEM design that is as timeless as anything that makes up the Tri-5. Options are rather sparse (as was the case in 1955), but you do get seatbelts up front, a gorgeous AM radio installed in the dash, and a factory heater/defrost unit, although the latter two are unfortunately not currently operable. A set of heavy-duty vinyl floor mats protect the plush carpets below, and the taut headliner with its shiny chrome slats above shows that nothing was overlooked in this build. Out back, the spacious and tidy trunk is nicely finished with a correct rubber mat and includes a full-size bias-ply tire and jack set that could very well be the original unit inside.
Nice to see a date code-correct 265 cubic inch V8 under the hood that's been neatly dressed and detailed and is certainly worthy of showing off at car shows. In fact, the owner claims that the drivetrain is in fact original to the car, and the casting does come back to a 1955 2-bolt main 265 V8, but that's as far as we can go without a VIN stamp. A stock 2-barrel carburetor sits atop a factory intake manifold, and the block itself was painted in Chevy Orange to match the valve covers. The smooth-running, super-clean engine is topped by a factory-original air cleaner, and you'd swear you were looking 1955 straight in the face if not for the upgraded alternator, battery, and power brake booster. Rams-horn exhaust manifolds feed a great-sounding dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers for a slightly throatier than 1950s sound (which is a good thing), and a big radiator up front keeps the whole show nice and cool. A 3-speed manual transmission means that this Tri-5 is actually very fun to drive, and it teams with an upgraded front suspension that features new lowering springs, a sway bar, power front disc brakes, and fresh shocks all around. Finishing off the 100% stock look are a set of painted steel wheels adorned with beautiful factory hubcaps wearing 6.70-15 Firestone whitewall bias-ply tires that look the part and handle great.
Complete with a show-ready factory look, a strong and healthy drivetrain, and an upgraded suspension, this is a beautifully presented Tri-5 Chevy that's ready to drive and enjoy right now. Call today!