If there’s one car that changed the shape of the auto industry forever, it was the 1955 Chevrolet. Designed in record time, the introduction of the small block V8 transformed how we thought about transportation, suggesting that maybe fun could be built into a car as well as sensibility. Add in an all-new chassis and body to carry the revolutionary new V8, and you get a car that practically defines the “modern era” of automobiles. Car & Driver magazine just named the 1955 Chevrolet as one of the greatest cars of all time in their July 2020 issue, and even today, 65 years later, these cars remain on a lot of enthusiasts’ wish lists. With just one look at this handsome two-tone 210, it isn’t hard to understand why.

A recent and very well-done build, this gorgeous 1955 Chevrolet 210 2-door sedan exemplifies exactly why we love these cars. All the original good looks are intact and honestly, there’s just no reason to try to improve on something that looks this good. It’s not stock anymore, but all the wonderful ‘50s trim remains and the two-tone paint scheme echoes the 1955 look, albeit with modern urethanes. The vivid electric blue has a bit of metallic in it to really make it glow, while the bright white areas contrast brilliantly. Bodywork is extremely well done with tight gaps and laser-straight sheetmetal, all of which appears to be original to the car. You’ll note that nothing has been trimmed, shaved, or deleted, so all the brightwork remains intact with the lone deviation being a clever third brake light disguised as the original trunk emblem. As the mid-range 210 model, there’s a restrained look that’s still plenty flashy and we’re sure you’ll generate a lot of positive attention when you’re out in this awesome Chevy.

Inside it continues to stick with the factory feel, with original-style two-tone upholstery that matches the exterior quite well. The patterns are correct and the original bench seats offer the kind of stretch-out room that we seem to have lost with our bucket seat cockpits today. The steering wheel is an awesome take on the original that’s slightly smaller in diameter and a little fatter on the rim than stock, and with power steering it’s no problem to wheel this Chevy around with ease. The original gauges are still fully operational, but they’re joined by a column-mounted tachometer and a trio of auxiliary gauges under the dash. And while Chevy never offered a floor-shifted 4-speed manual gearbox in 1955, the Hurst shifter and cue ball knob certainly look right at home on the vintage Chevy’s transmission tunnel. You also get a modern AM/FM/cassette stereo tucked into the original slot in the dash and feeding speakers throughout the interior, lots of improved sound deadening so it’s quiet and comfortable, and new correct carpets protected by reproduction blue rubber mats. A full-sized back seat means this Chevy is still as practical as ever, and the giant trunk features a correct rubber mat, spare tire and jack assembly, plus remote-mounted battery and fire extinguisher, just in case. This is obviously a car where someone invested a lot of time, energy, and planning. Oh, and it’s super clean underneath, no worries about rot in this trunk!

The engine is a mid-60s 327 cubic inch V8 that’s been rebuilt with a few modest upgrades inside such as a healthy camshaft with a gear drive that sounds menacing (yes, it's supposed to sound that way). Up top there’s an awesome Offenhauser cross-ram intake setup with a pair of fresh Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetors, and it’s tuned right because it starts easily, idles well, and pulls hard in any gear at any speed. Matching Offenhauser finned valve covers add a vintage performance look and Chevy Orange paint on the block itself pops against the black inner fenders. Other upgrades include a new aluminum radiator, new accessory drive pullies with chrome alternator, and a power steering system that’s new from pump to steering box. It also includes a dual reservoir master cylinder for safety, new wiring, and long-tube headers to fatten up the torque curve a bit. It runs extremely well and has the kind of performance that has made the ’55 Chevy a favorite for so many years. It’s fast, but it hasn’t lost its soul.

Take a look underneath and you’ll find mostly stock hardware but all of it is newly rebuilt and ready to cruise. The aforementioned Muncie 4-speed manual gearbox offers rock-solid shifts and smooth clutch action, and feeds what we believe to be 3.73 gears out back, so it’s quite punchy around town. The ceramic-coated long-tube headers feed a mellow-sounding dual exhaust system and the shocks at all four corners are new. The floors are original and extremely clean, as are the inner and outer rocker panels, plus all the body mounts are solid so this car does not appear to have ever spent time in foul weather. The suspension is fairly stock, so it rides nicely and still feels like a vintage Chevy, which we like, and as always, parts and service are easy. There’s also a new gas tank out back, as well as fresh lines and hoses throughout, so it’s ready to cruise. Traditional Cragar SS mag wheels look right and carry staggered 215/70/15 front and 275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials with fewer than 200 miles on them.

A beautifully built, fully-sorted ’55 Chevy that’s ready to enjoy at almost any level. Yes, there are a lot of these available at any given moment, but look at the finish quality and the respect for tradition that went into this one. We’ve had plenty of Tri-Five Chevys over the years, but somehow this one really talks to us in a way that many others do not. Perhaps it’ll talk to you as well. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.