136211 / 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

For 1955, the full-sized Chevy Bel Air got a complete makeover, including a new V-8 engine. With a sleek Sweep Sight wrap-around windshield, it was lower than most other cars on the road, measuring fifteen feet in length. For the time being, the overall design was stylish and well-balanced, with the wheelbase staying at 115 inches. In GM’s advertising campaign, Chevrolet was dubbed the “Hot One” because of its sleek and fashionable design, which included an egg-crate grille, hooded headlights, chrome spears on the front fenders, stainless steel window moldings, and complete wheel covers. The Glide Ride suspension system, better brakes, and a 12-volt electrical system were among the new improvements for 1955. The Bel Air Nomad, a new two-door wagon with a distinctive hardtop roofline, was introduced to the roster of body type options.

Top honors for ride and handling went to Motor Trend magazine, while Popular Mechanics said that the V-8 Bel Air could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 12.9 seconds—a remarkable feat for a 3,300-pound car.

Two-door, six-passenger sedans costing $1,670, four-door sedans costing $1,930, two-door hardtops costing $2,065, convertibles costing $2,200, and six-passenger station wagons costing $2,260 were among the body options available for the 1955 Bel Air. The six-passenger, two-door Nomad had a $2,470 price tag. An additional $100 was added to the factory base price with the eight-cylinder engine. The sedan was the most popular body style in the Bel Air range, with 345,372 made. The Two-Ten sedan, which had 317,724 constructed, was the second most popular 1955 Chevrolet body type.

168,313 two-door Bel Air sedans and 185,562 hardtops were manufactured by Chevrolet. 41,292 Bel Air convertibles, 24,313 station wagons, and 6,103 Nomad Wagons were among the total number of examples.

1955 Chevrolet Vehicles
The 1955 Chevrolet model lineup consisted of the entry-level One-Fifty, the mid-range Two-Ten, the top-of-the-line Bel Air, and the two-door Corvette. With a six-cylinder engine, the One-Fifty cost between $1,590 and $2,030, while a V-8 model cost between $1,690 and $2,130. The Two-Ten had chrome sidewall moldings and stainless steel accents around the windshield and backlight reveals. There were armrests, help straps, ash receptacles, and a cigarette lighter inside. Six-cylinder models varied in price from $1,635 to $2,130, while Two-Tens with V8 engines were priced between $1,675 and $2,230.

In 1955, Chevrolet had a 162 horsepower V8 small block engine as an option. The majority of these engines were mated to a three-speed Synchro-Mesh manual gearbox, however a small number also opted for the optional overdrive. In just fifteen weeks, the revolutionary 265 cubic-inch Turbo Fire was developed. With a two-barrel carburetor, the standard V8 engine produced 162 horsepower. With a four-barrel carburetor and further enhancements, the ‘output Pack’ option increased output to 180 horsepower. A ‘Super Power Pack’ option later in the year offered an additional 15 horsepower and high compression. Oil pressure and generator gauges were swapped out with “idiot” lights. Although most customers preferred the V-8, the dependable 235.5 cubic-inch “Stovebolt Six” engine continued to be the base model, now producing 123 horsepower. The improved performance was accompanied by an upgraded

The Bel Air Chevrolet

The Bel Air was a two-door hardtop that was a part of the Chevrolet lineup from 1950 until 1975. The Bel Air became a premium trim level in 1953, replacing its previous status as a body type designation. ‘Bel Air’ was a reference to the affluent Westside district of Los Angeles.

The ‘Second Generation’ of Chevy Bel Airs ran from 1955 to 1957. They were upgraded, contemporary cars with the same 115-inch wheelbase as their predecessors. Compared to its predecessor, the 1958 Bel Air ‘third generation’ was heavier, longer, and lower. It was also available with a 348 cubic-inch engine as an option. The ‘Fourth Generation’ was introduced in 1959 after yet another significant overhaul, and it lasted until 1960. By the time the last, or “Seventh Generation,” was constructed between 1971 and 1975, fleet customers became the main target market. In 1975, the last Bel Airs were produced for the US market.