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-Short Attention Span Theater-
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Looks Like a Lemon, Hides Surprise Under the Hood
2021-04-07
[autoevolution] The Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most iconic American cars ever built. It survived from 1949 to 1980, but the mid-1950s models are the most coveted. Many argue that the 1957 Bel Air is the best of the bunch, but the 1955 version is nothing to sneeze at either. It doesn't have the 57's big fins, but you'd be hard-pressed to find another car that blends stylish cues with hot-rod looks in such an appealing way.

Luckily, Chevy built quite a few Bel Airs back in the 1950s, and many of them are still on the road. And because they're so hot-looking and popular, barn finds are usually restored. This 1955 Bel Air here is a fine example of how a classic should be brought back to life.

The two-door hard-top looks perfect on the outside, with all chrome work shining as if it just left the factory. The paint is also in excellent condition, but that's because the car repainted some years one. There's just one caveat here: this isn't the original color.

This Bel Air left the factory sporting a two-tone livery in Regal Turquoise Poly and India Ivory. Bel Air enthusiasts will recognize that option as "612S." But one owner opted to refinish the car in yellow and white.

The two-tone livery is true to the original Bel Air layout, with one color covering the rear end, the upper rear fenders, and the top. However, Chevrolet didn't offer such an option back in 1955. The Bel Air palette included no fewer than 13 hues back then, but there was no yellow. The white paint used on the car does look a lot like the original India Ivory, though.
Posted by:Besoeker

#10  
21st Century Hampster power source
Posted by: Gravitle Spusomble8843   2021-04-07 21:47  

#9  I loved my first ride, not counting dirt bikes. My dad traded a hunting rifle for my 1948 Ford long bed PU truck with split rims
The envy of my neighborhood back when, folks got out of my way heh.
My friends and I never could afford any of those beauties but had fun running the gut

Will they have hood locks for whatever is under that hood?
Posted by: Jan   2021-04-07 21:44  

#8  ^ Buncha batteries? And maybe a really long extension cord in the trunk?
Posted by: Mad Eye Flemp4426   2021-04-07 18:39  

#7  OK, it's a pretty car, but WTF is the surprise it hides under the hood.

Do we have to tune in next week to find out?
Posted by: TSgt_Ciz   2021-04-07 18:09  

#6  I'm more of an Aston Martin kind of guy.
Posted by: Angstrom   2021-04-07 15:08  

#5  Pretty!
Posted by: trailing wife   2021-04-07 13:38  

#4  
Nice to see the 50's cars are not forgotten buy restorers of collectors. Here is a pic of the 1955 Bentley R-Type, I'm in the process of restoring:

Posted by: Cravirong Thomoth2924   2021-04-07 12:52  

#3  That and the '55 Ford would always be something I'd like to own...
Posted by: CrazyFool   2021-04-07 12:17  

#2  AS noted prefer '57, but would take a '55 in an instant
Posted by: Frank G   2021-04-07 12:14  

#1  I had the pleasure of talking to a young man (early teens) who had recently 'dragged Main' in an 80s model car.

Basically, said it was absolutely fascinating.

Like driving around my Jeep. Not early enough for window vents, but not so late that it nags me for not tying my shoelaces left over right; still very mechanical, and decades away from China Jeep.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2021-04-07 12:07  

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