1955 Chevrolet Belair Convertible - Garage Find, Unrestored!

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 Bel Air Description

1955 Chevrolet Belair Convertible

**Garage Find, Original Maintained, Never Restored**

What you see here is my 53,000 original-mileage 1955 Chevy Convertible, which I am offering to a new caretaker. This creampuff has had only three owners in its 65 year life; the original owner (1955-1969), his nephew (1969-2011) and me (2011-now). Built in Los Angeles; sold new in Phoenix, AZ; relocated to dry southern Oregon in 1969; brought to dryer Bend, OR in 2011. This car has been maintained in original, roadworthy, driving condition its entire life. Never hot-rodded, modified, parked in a barn, or left to rot in a field. I have been involved with tri-five Chevys and a member of Classic Chevy Club since 1975, and this car is a time-capsule back to those early days, when you could still find these cars being driven and maintained by their elderly owners. I hadn’t seen an unrestored car like this since the 1980s. Ekler’s Classic Chevy Club agreed, and In June, 2017, gave this car a Cover/Centerfold/Feature story in their monthly magazine “Chevy Classics” (see pictures for the full feature).

Details

Paint Code; 612 Regal Turquoise / India Ivory

Interior Trim Code; 537 Turquoise / Ivory Vinyl

Engine Code; F55GL - 265ci V8, 4bbl carb, 3spd, dual exhaust

Factory Accessories; Continental Kit, Deluxe Bumper Guards, Wonderbar Radio, Base Recirculating Heater (rare), Factory Oil Filter (rare), Electric Wipers, Windshield Washer, Gravel Guards, plus a dealer installed fender mounted rear view mirror.

Body/Paint

The car’s body is completely original metal, with no replacement panels required. It has one repaint in the original turquoise and white, done in 1975, which has held up amazingly well. The absence of any door dings, corner dents, or scrapes illustrate the care and pleasure-use this car has seen for most of its life. While replacing the convertible top cylinders and trunk mat, I took the opportunity to coat the hidden areas with POR15, ensuring they would be rust-free for the next 65 years. There was a small amount of corrosion along the rear trunk lip, which was neutralized, coated with POR15 and primed. The area was nowhere near needing replacement.

Engine/Drivetrain

Original high-performance “Power Pak” 265ci V8 engine and 3 speed overdrive transmission. The rear end, carburetor, distributor, generator and other engine items are also the original units. At around 51k miles, the engine began smoking a bit at startup. The car’s regular mechanic found the piston rings needed replacement, but no cylinder work was required (has original bore). While apart, the heads were updated with hardened valve seats for unleaded gas. I converted the distributor to non-points internals and replaced the rear engine “rope-a-dope” seal with a modern rubber seal. The engine starts quickly and reliably, runs cool and smooth, blows no smoke and I have never had to add any oil between changes. It runs and drives just like 1955!

Interior/Convertible Top

The interior is the original turquoise & ivory vinyl. In 1981, a local upholsterer sewed a closely matching set of seat covers and installed a new convertible top. They have held up wonderfully, with no tears or rips. New carpet was installed in 2005. I replaced the top motor and pumps in 2012. Also added were original style reproduction front seat belts.

Undercarriage/Mechanicals

The undercarriage and convertible frame are solid, with no issues.Everything was original and roadworthy when I purchased the car. However, as “maintenance”, I did rebuild the front end and replace the front & rear suspension. I installed a new gas tank, when a hole was rubbed in the original unit while trailering the car home. New exhaust tail pipes were installed and the exhaust is super quiet. The 1977 Remington Cushion-Aire bias ply tires were replaced with a set of Coker Wide White Wall radials. The brake master cylinder was replaced this year and the system flushed with synthetic fluid. I was told the clutch has never been replaced, after I was instructed by the 2nd owner that the overdrive transmission only requires use of the clutch from a standing start!

Glass/Rubber

The glass is all original, date coded and clear. The driver side window is cracked, but I always have it rolled down. The rubber/seals are all original, remain supple and seal great. I replaced the original rubber trunk mat.

Additional Items

When I purchased the car in 2011, it had not a single reproduction part on it! The 2nd owner was not even aware of the aftermarket of reproduction parts. All of the stainless and chrome are in amazing original condition, with no pitting issues. I did re-chrome the complete rear bumper assembly and replace six pieces of trim (shift & turn signal levers, horn ring, dash bezel and sunvisor brackets). The inner tail lights have been converted to brighter LED units. The faded front hood emblem was replaced.

Over the years, I have seen restored cars that aren’t as nice as this little gem! Plus, a poor quality restoration can hide a ton of problems. This car visually puts a smile on everyone’s face, runs, drives and works beautifully. I would hope to see the new owner continue the legacy or driving, enjoying and maintaining this car as a lasting tribute to the long-departed original owners who loved and maintained these Classic Chevys for us all to marvel over. But, it would also be about the easiest frame-off restoration ever!

I will answer question and provide pictures that are requested.Buyers are encouraged to see the car in person, or have a qualified inspection performed. The ebay auction winner must make an immediate $500 non-refundable deposit via paypal to cover non-refundable ebay fees. Full payment required within 14 days of closing, via bank transfer, bank check, or cash. Transportation is the responsibility of the buyer. I will assist the transportation company. I can deliver the car in my enclosed trailer, within 500 miles of Bend, OR, for $2/mile one way. Car must be paid for in full before it will be loaded onto any transportation, or released to the owner.