$79,995
Charlotte, North Carolina
Category
Convertible
Mileage
-
Posted Over 1 Month
The backbone of the old car hobby is nostalgia, and the driving force behind this gorgeous 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible is a man re-creating his first new car. It\'s something we\'ve all longed to do, and the result is a very attractive and very road-worthy ragtop that hits all the right buttons. The car\'s original colors were changed to Gypsy Red and India Ivory because that\'s how the restorer\'s first car was clothed. It was purchased specifically for this build and fully restored in 2001 using parts from a donor car to make sure that as many parts as possible were OEM. Finish quality is extremely good, probably better than new, and thanks to hours and hours spent blocking, sanding, and aligning the sheetmetal, it looks ready to show. This was definitely not some home restoration project, but rather an expensive undertaking using professional shops, and it shows in the brilliant final finish. The surface is glossy and smooth, and despite being almost 15 years old, the car looks amazingly fresh. Most of the chrome and stainless trim was replaced when the car was reassembled, but things like the door handles and fender spears were borrowed from that donor car to keep it looking authentic. This is a seriously nice car. The two tone red and white interior was also restored to match that mythical car from decade ago and like the exterior, the workmanship is impressive. Correct seat covers, reproduction door panels, new carpets, and just about everything else remains in first-class condition. The beautifully restored steering wheel highlights a very high-quality interior, and details like the bright metal instrument panel and restored gauge cluster make it a delight to sit in the driver\'s seat. A/C was added during the restoration and uses subtle outlets under the dash, but interestingly enough, there is no radio and it uses a factory block-off plate to retain a clean look. There\'s a white power convertible top overhead and it stows beneath a matching white boot to give the car a clean look, top up or top down. The trunk was also nicely detailed with a correct rubber mat and a matching fifth wheel with correct jack assembly. The engine is a correct early 265 cubic inch V8 that was taken from the parts car that came with the convertible. Interestingly enough, that donor vehicle was an air-conditioned station wagon, so while the compressor is modern, experts will note that this car has the correct oil filter in the proper location for an air conditioned car. A modern alternator is probably a smart upgrade, too, and it was all detailed to a very high standard before being reassembled. Chevy Orange paint, a correct oil bath air cleaner, and even stock exhaust manifolds make it look authentic. The transmission is a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic from that same donor car, and it, too, was completely rebuilt before going into the ragtop\'s powdercoated chassis. It does show a few signs of use underneath, but you can\'t blame a guy for driving his dream, and all of the mechanical work was done by an ASE certified mechanic, who also happened to be his son. Proper wheels and hubcaps are protected by a set of bright 205/75/15 whitewall radials, which ride great and look right. This is a very high-quality 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible that\'s in exactly the right condition to drive and enjoy, and perhaps even relive your youth a little bit. Call today! This vehicle is located in our Dallas/Fort Worth showroom. For more information, please call (817) 764-8000 or toll free (855) 877-2707. Ad provided by OldCarOnline.com/cond>
