Last updated on September 5, 2021
Today’s car is a 1955 Chevrolet 2 door hardtop. Better know as the sport coupe available in both the 210 and Bel Air models. This one has the optional bumperettes. I have walk past this house thousands of times and this day it just appeared. A few houses away from Jim’s house, that we just finished series on his cars. Not an everyday find. The 1955 Chevys was the first year for the V8 since 1918. Yes, that is right. The 1918 Chevrolet Series D, which had a 36-horsepower overhead valve 288-cubic-inch V8, but it only remained in production for that year. Chevy’s new 265 cu in overhead valve V8 was designed to be smaller, lighter, than the previous V8s in the auto industry, and would come to be known as the “Chevy small block”. This was the beginning of the Tri 5. 1955, 1956, and 1957 the most popular of the Chevys to collect until the last few years. The 1956 dropped in popularity and the 1962 Chevy took over its spot.
The following engines were available on the 1955 Chevrolet:
- OHV Inline 6 cylinder: 235 cubic inch, 123 horsepower
- OHV Inline 6 cylinder: 235 cubic inches, 136 brake horsepower (SAE)
- OHV V8: 265 cubic inches, 162 brake horsepower (SAE)
- OHV V8: 265 cubic inches, 180 brake horsepower (SAE), “Power Pack”
- OHV V8: 265 cubic inches, 195 brake horsepower (SAE), “Super Power Pack”
I can remember my cousin Pat pulling in our driveway revving the engine and thinking how awesome! Thanks for riding along. Frank
My first car was a 1955 Chevrolet Convertible that I paid $50.00 for. Mine was the same color combination as below and just add some New York rust! I have a few stories no, not the good kind.
The 1918 Chevrolet V8.
