1955 Chevrolet Corvette - Stunning, Top Flight, Concours Ready!

1955 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Description

This 1955 Chevrolet Corvette was fully restored in 2006 and holds the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) highest qualification of Top Flight, placing it in the top 3% of judged Corvettes. This 40k-mile example comes from the first year of V8 power for the Corvette and is still equipped with its numbers-matching engine backed by a Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission. Documentation of its judged performance at the 2006 Quartz Hill event in California is included and shows a score of 4,363 out of 4,510. The 265ci V8 was recently rebuilt and is fitted with correctly date-coded manifolds. This well-documented Corvette has only been driven about 500 miles in the decade since the restoration was completed. It is sold with substantial documentation of the restoration and a clean California title.
The exterior of this Corvette is very close to original in appearance, with the minor deviations noted on the included Top Flight report. The trim is complete and straight, and noted issues are limited to items such as an earlier windshield date and incorrect valve stem caps. The chrome trim shows a uniform finish, as do the distinctive stainless steel headlight guards used on early C1 Corvettes. There are some small defects in the paint, primarily at the edges of panels including touch-ups on the driver’s door near the beltline trim and a touchup on one rear fin. A few minor hairline cracks are also apparent around the hood and front fenders. Many of these defects are noted in the NCRS judging and do not appear to have had a significant effect on the concours performance.
The interior appears original with all restored materials remaining in very nice condition. The seating surfaces and carpets show virtually no wear consistent with the limited use. All interior features were working when the car was judged apart from the self cancelling function on the turn signals. The original radio is working and outputs through the original dash speaker. The Beige convertible top is in very nice condition and stows neatly under the hardshell top-boot. The rare original side windows are included along with their original storage bag.
The original 265 cubic inch V8 was recently rebuilt! The rebuild included all new valves, springs and retainers, a used polished crank, reconditioned rods, rebuilds of the original cylinder heads and Carter carburetor. It has only been driven about 10 miles since. The car is a very strong runner, with a smooth transmission and no smoke or noise on startup. Since the restoration the car has not simply sat idle, but has been moved regularly, driven around the block, and warmed up. The tires are not flat spotted and the car is said to be in good mechanical order. The engine is noted as original in the NCRS documentation. The manifolds are correctly date-stamped, and the car received no deductions for engine originality in the attached NCRS documentation. The chassis is very well detailed and shows wear consistent with its limited use since restoration. Apart from painted fuel lines and incorrectly painted rear leaf springs, the chassis hardware is noted as correct. An additional set of stock wheels is included.
Documentation for services performed and parts acquired through early Corvette-specific vendors is included. Photos of the car during its restoration are provided, detailing the condition of the fiberglass with the white paint removed. Check out the full 15 page NCRS judging document detailing the condition in great detail. This first-year V8-powered Corvette is a nicely restored piece of the model’s history, and is one of just 700 produced in 1955. It is ready to to be shown or driven on rallies and tours.
My standard disclaimer/mantra for any car regardless of service or price: The car is sold with a remainder of a factory warranty and NO implied warranty from the seller. You are buying a used car. Eventually every car will break, if you find one that doesn't please let me know. I do my ABSOLUTE BEST to offer only cars that are of TOP NOTCH service. I am not a dealer, just a guy who loves Corvette (among other cars) and hope to pass along my passion and fervor for these cars. That said if ever you encounter an issue I do my best to provide advice, direction or even parts if I have them. Please understand that it is a used car and will have minor signs of use. That means please do not expect a showroom brand new car. Please adjust your expectation level to that of a 40,000 mile car, but however is above average for it's year/miles. This is good miles for any Corvette of this year, but please just remember that no 40,000 mile car is perfect. It is though a clean, very nice Vette! Please only bid if you intend to buy. If you would like to have an Ebay 3rd party mechanic service check out the car I MORE than welcome it. Please have the car checked out before bidding and not after, if you intend to use that service. And please, if you would like to utilize this service, contact me with more than a couple days left in the ad so we can arrange schedules. Please check your local laws and registration procedures before buying. Buying over the internet can be scary sometimes! I get it, because I am an enthusiast too!! For that very reason, I am more than happy to answer every and any question you may so you know 100% what you are buying. But, please ask any and all questions ahead of purchase! It is impossible to list every pro and con on a car, I am not an inspection service. All sales are final, you are buying as-is, the sky is blue, etc, etc. Sorry to have to give the boring speech.