Go to any car show and the field will be full of 1955-57 Chevy hardtops and convertibles, but where are the four-door sedans? They made more of those than any other body style, but a lot of folks have never even seen one. Well, this lovely 1955 Bel Air sedan is the solution, and with a lot of upgrades, it's a solid car that's been restored as needed over the course of the last six decades.
With just 4209 miles on the most recent part of the restoration, this car looks and drives great. Most of the cosmetics were freshened at that time, including fresh Cashmere Blue and India Ivory paint and much of the trim, so it looks great today with an authentic 1950s pastel color pallet that always works well. The 4-doors' proportions are as handsome as any of its siblings and the clever use of trim disguises it quite well. And as a solid, no-nonsense, well-restored car, it has that undeniable all-of-a-piece feel that the best cars exhibit. All four doors fit well and close with that reassuring sound that old cars do so well, and there's no sign that this car was ever rusty or an accident victim during its first sixty years of life. The mileage indicates that it was not driven extensively since the restoration was completed, just enough to keep it healthy and in top mechanical condition, while the cosmetics remained quite good If you really wanted to take it up a notch, a professional wet sand and buff would really make this car sparkle, but even the way it sits, it's going to get attention. Other things like the glass and stainless trim are decent original pieces, so it's not perfect but has a nice patina that works well with the rest of the car.
The Glacier Blue interior is also well restored and in great condition. The seat covers are the correct fabric and vinyl and show few signs of age or use aside from some minor stretching. The door panels and headliner are also quality reproduction pieces and in great shape, showing the level of detail that cut-rate pieces can't quite duplicate. The carpets and kick panels are replacements that blend in seamlessly with the rest of the interior pieces. Other equipment like the bright instrument panel trim, the gauge cluster, and even the radio are original and the steering wheel is so nice, it just has to have been restored. Aftermarket A/C was added under the dash and there's an AM/FM radio that looks so authentic, you might not even notice it's there. There's also a correct rubber mat in the trunk, as well as a full-sized spare and jack assembly.
Mechanically, the 265 cubic inch V8 is a fantastic runner and gives this Bel Air some great road manners. It's correctly fitted with a 2-barrel carburetor, which is good for torque and fuel economy, and if we had to guess, we'd say that it's been maintained but not necessarily rebuilt. Nevertheless, it starts well and pulls the sedan around with enthusiasm, and today needs nothing but a good cleaning to really live up to its potential. A big electric fan was added to help with the A/C, as well as a modern dual reservoir master cylinder and power brake booster. It's also fitted with power steering, so it's a joy to drive. The PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission was flushed but needed no other work to be ready to enjoy, and the rest of the chassis is, as you can see, in excellent order, albeit showing signs of use. Fresh 6.70-15 wide whitewall tires have been installed that look right, and an extra is included with the car.
Give the four-doors a chance. It's just as handsome as its siblings, and with V8 power, it's every bit as fun to drive. Add the appeal of a well preserved car that's been properly freshened and this Bel Air makes for a wonderful alternative to the same old stuff. Call today!