This was the year of change for General Motors for Chevrolet. This was a major direction for Chevrolet with the following models. Bel Air, 210, 150, Nomad and Sedan delivery. Body styles include the 2 door Coupe, 2 door Hardtop, 4 door sedan, 2 door station wagon, 4 door station wagon and 2 door sedan delivery. Ok, the two door Bel Air station wagon is better known as the Nomad.
This was the year of the introduction of the Chevy small block V-8, 265 ci 162/195 HP. Also available was the 235ci inline “6” with 136hp. The way to differentiate the Tri-Fives Chevies in ’55 is easy with the following differences. Narrow front grill, (not a Ferrari Grill), unique taillights and of course side trim. The rear fenders and trim are specific to the ’55 Chevy plus the flying jet hood ornament. The ’55 Chevrolet Coupe Hardtop is a desirable model with no “B” pillar between the front and rear often called a hardtop convertible.
Jack’s sweet ride, ’55 2 door coupe is often called the 210 Post model. It sits right with a slight rake with big meats in the back to accentuate the “Pro 55” look that makes this ride Kool and does hook up. The engine is an LS1, 350 ci rated at 380hp and is all business under the hood. The red valve covers with coil packs which feed a super-hot spark to give this ride the power to spin the big meats. Fresh air intake keeps the combustion maximized with kool air. You see a BIG Baer Master Cylinder with booster that feed 4-wheel disc brakes for stopping this road warrior when Jack gets the big foot itch, which is quite often I am told. LOL Keep this kool is a high efficiency radiator with Spal fans.
Getting the 380HP to the ground starts with a Tremec 6 speed transmission that feeds the big drive shaft to a Strange 9” with 4:30 gears making this ’55 the STOP light King. Yes, Jack knows how to get off the line that is all business. The chassis to keep this ride straight and true with power to the ground is an Art Morrison Chassis that is all in. Wheels are Schott with Nitto skins make the Pro Street 55 look that make it Kool.
The interior is well done in brown leather, perfect for Prescott with seats coming from a ’69 Camaro with a sweeeet console to house the Tremec 6 speed black shifter. Yes, as you can see there is 3 pedals on the floor with Vintage Air conditioning for traveling to event south of Prescott. The Dakota Digital instruments give this ride a modern upgrade to stay up with monitoring engine vitals of course. The Retro Sound system looks factory and has a hard time staying up the roar when Jack has the big foot itch, LOL. The Budnik steering wheel fits well with the Ididit steering column. The stock dash and chrome/aluminum dash complete the interior look that this ride is all business. Check out the door panels in the photos, well done by Liquid Creations.
The Silver over Gray was shot with PPG and made this ride look Vintage on the look side but all performance on the inside. Jack did the Chassis, Engine, Transmission as he is one of the local wizards in making rides like this. Jack has had this ride for over 25 years! Yes, he has been into fast cars and kool rides since High School. He does take this ride out every opportunity he can and is always at local and regional runs and events. His favorite event/cruise is RT 66 that goes from Seligman to Topock thru Kingman and Oatman, yes, the town of donkeys on the street!
