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 Neptune Green over Seamist Green (code 604) Bel Air Convertible is equipped with a 265 V8 and was purchased with a PowerGlide automatic transmission.
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.
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”.
Inside, this Bel Air is a two-tone light and dark green all-vinyl interior – it was one of 6 different color combinations available for the Bel Air convertible.
All convertibles were fitted with a power top as standard. This particular also car benefits from power brakes and power steering – options that cost $38 and $92 respectively.
Under the hood sits a 265 cubic inch V8 – Chevrolet had finally offered a V8 as an option in their passenger cars 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 even more photos)
That was a lot of car for a high schooler–you were lucky! Of course, a seven year old car was getting a bit long in the tooth in 1962…my Dad gave me a 1958 Olds 88 in 1968 and I’m sure he paid less than $500 for it!
I bid $3000.00 and not even drive…….JC
1955 / 265ci / slip n slide hydromatic
We had a car like that and it was the best car on the market in those years. Ours was a beautiful red , so it attracted a lot of people.