One-Family-Owned 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan Project

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air marked a turning point for Chevrolet and the American auto industry. Introduced as part of the “Tri-Five” series (1955–57), it featured an all-new chassis, sleeker body lines, and the first application of Chevrolet’s legendary small-block V8 engine — although the proven 235-cubic-inch “Blue Flame” inline-six came standard.

Styling highlights included a wraparound windshield, hooded headlights, and bold chrome accents, giving the Bel Air a modern, upscale look. Inside, two-tone vinyl and patterned cloth upholstery complemented color-keyed dashboards and full carpeting, setting it apart from lower trims. Available in sedans, hardtops, convertibles, and wagons, the Bel Air combined affordability with style and performance.

This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan has been kept within the same family since being purchased new in Farmingdale, New York; there are home movies showing the car on the day that it came home (see "Video Gallery" section above). It features a factory 235ci inline-six engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Reportedly garaged since new, this Bel Air was refreshed in the early 2000s, when it received body work and was then refinished in factory-correct Neptune Green paint with India Ivory roof. It was also given new green carpet and carpeted door panels. According to the seller, the car has not been in running condition since 2022, and should therefore be considered a project.

This one-family-owned Bel Air is now offered at no reserve with a shop manual and transferable New York registration in the seller’s name.

Highlights

• One-family-owned since new, purchased February 12, 1955

• Home movies show the car with its original owner and family/friends on the day it was purchased (see "Video Gallery" section above)

• Reportedly garaged since new

• Refinished in correct Neptune Green (560) paint with India Ivory (552) roof

• Featured in a Hagerty Media article

Factory Equipment

• 235ci “Blue Flame” inline-six engine rated at 123 hp

• Three-speed, column-shifted manual transmission

• Chrome trim on beltline, grille, and bumpers

• Hooded headlamps and wraparound windshield

• Two-tone green vinyl and patterned cloth upholstery

• Green Bakelite steering wheel with horn ring

• AM radio

• 100-mph speedometer

• Steel wheels

• The chassis number (C55T060813) decodes as:

  • C – 2400 model (Bel Air trim level)

  • 55 – 1955 model year

  • T – Tarrytown (New York) assembly plant

  • 060813 – Sequential production number

Modifications

• Previous refresh included repaint in correct factory colors, new carpet, carpeted door panels, body work/repair in rear wheel wells

• Below-dash device to play different horn sounds

Servicing & Documentation

• Custom 428 A/S white wall tires

• "1,000-Mile Coupon" booklet issued by Motor Inn Garage & Sales in Farmingdale, New York, with the date listed as 12 February 1955

Known Imperfections

• This car has not been in running condition since 2022 and should be considered a project

• Rust on chrome bumpers

• Peeling and pitting on grille

• Needs new fuel tank

• Needs new carburetor

• Some paint bubbling at roof line

• Rear driver's side door does not open from the outside

• Radio is inoperable

• Device to play different horn sounds is inoperable

Ownership History

This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air has been in the same family since it was purchased new from Motor Inn Garage & Sales in Farmingdale, New York. It has been registered in the seller’s name since 2018.

The seller says, “My dad bought the car in 1955, and judging from the home movies that were taken when he bought it, it looks like it was the winter of 1955 [paperwork indicates 12 February 1955]. He died in 1971, and since my brother and I were young and Mom didn’t drive, she gave the car to Dad’s cousin Joe, who lived in the next town over. Joe had a lot of the restoration work done on it over the years. Before Joe went into assisted living in 2018, he gave the car to me, bringing it full circle. I cherished it — remembering sitting in the back seat with my brother on family trips ... the smell of it. Sadly, I’m not a car guy, other than knowing how to drive it, and since it stalled on me a few times, I’ve had it in the garage and stopped driving it. Consequently, my wife and I have agreed that it’s time to sell. I’m really hoping that whoever purchases it will keep it going for a long time to come.”

Included Items

• Spare tire

• Jack and cross wrench

• Spare wheel covers

• Floor mats

• Chevrolet Shop Manual and "1,000-Mile Coupon" dealership booklet

• Fuzzy red dice

Additional Information

• This 1955 Bel Air is registered in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is offered with transferable New York registration.