1955 Chevy Bel Air Convertible

What an exciting year 1955 was for the automotive industry. Styling was taken up a notch by most of the major manufacturers who had some great new cars available. Ford had given their cars a much more exciting look, Chrysler had introduced their “Forward Look” and Chevrolet announced the “Hot One”

Arguably among the most iconic cars of the fifties, Chevrolet had achieved a look that had transformed their image from somewhat conservative to young and vibrant literally overnight. This new look sat on a brand-new chassis and, importantly, there was now a V8 on offer.

This Indian Ivory over Gypsy Red (code 615) Bel Air Convertible is equipped with a 265 V8 and was purchased with a PowerGlide automatic transmission.

side view

Chevy built 41,292 of this model and well in excess of 1.7 million cars in total for the 1955 model year!

Note the V8 emblems located below the taillights that identify the V8 equipped cars.

rear view

The ’55 Chevy was available in 14 solid colors and 23 two-tone combinations. There were three different series / trim levels carried over from the previous year; the lowest priced “One-Fifty”, the intermediate “Two-Ten” and the top-of-the-line “Bel Air”.

55 Chvy Bel Air convertible interior / dash
dash with Wonderbar radio

Inside, this Bel Air is a two-tone beige and red all-vinyl interior – it was one of 6 different color combinations available for the Bel Air convertible.

convertible top down showing the interior of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air convertible
top down fun

All convertibles were fitted with a power top as standard.

Under the hood sits a 265 cubic inch V8 – Chevrolet had finally offered a V8 as an option in their passenger cars for 1955.

265 Chevy V8 from 1955
265 V8 which was new for 1955

A Bel Air convertible would have cost you $2,206 back then for one powered by the Blue Flame 6 engine with three-on-the-tree manual transmission. An extra $99 got you the new, 265 V8 engine. A Powerglide automatic transmission, as fitted to this car, was a further $178 if you wanted it.

This 55 Chevy Convertible is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for lots more photos)

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