1955 Chevy Bel Air Hardtop - for sale

[daddio211]

Sold!!!

No, the wheels, tires, tilt column and disc brakes aren't traditional, but I asked Ryan before posting it out of respect for him, the mods, this site and you.



My dad bought this car in September of 2004 in Nebraska, while driving home from a vacation road trip. It was transported back to Utah a few weeks later. When purchased, the car had the same paint and interior as you see in the photos. It had the small block, but was running a PowerGlide. In early '05 we pulled the PG and put in a fresh TH350, and had new exhaust done. I donated a pair of rams horn manifolds, exhaust shop bent up new pipes with pencil tips, and we kept the burned out glass packs that were already on it.

My dad drove it like that for a few years, but always wanted more out of it. While at a Goodguys Del Mar show, he pulled the trigger and bought a TON of stuff from CPP that they shipped to his house. When he got back home he tore the front end apart quickly, but put it all back together slowly over the next few years.

He also installed a new Edelbrock intake, new valve covers, new water pump, HEI, plugs, wires, etc. He painted the block Chevy orange while everything was apart, so it looks fresh. The engine is a MILD build... I'd guess 250 horse. The numbers on the block indicate it's a 350 block, and I THINK it's a late 70's block. If its important to you, ask and I'll provide the numbers. It does run nicely, and the burned out glasspacks make it sound a lot meaner than it is, LOL.

The stock front suspension all came out in favor of the CPP (Classic Performance Parts) goodies. It now has tubular upper and lower A arms, dropped spindles, front disc brakes (cross drilled), new calipers, pads, etc. I had the discs turned prior to installation. I think we reused the original front coils and cut 1 coil off of them. I'm pretty sure that's what we did at least.

It has a new CPP front sway bar and handles very nicely. We also installed the power steering kit from CPP. There's a little "chatter" feedback in the wheel at low RPM that I haven't sorted out yet.

With the power steering box the column had to change. We installed an Ididit tilt column, with shifter, and painted it to match the dash and body in the same dark brown metallic.

Brakes were upgraded with a power dual master cylinder (again, CPP).

Wheels are 17x7 and 17x8 Coy's with the "soft lip". Tires are Nexen, brand new on front and very good condition on the rear.

The rear was lowered by moving the springs to the lowest setting on the rear shackle, no blocks or de-arching. There are a pair of air shocks on the rear too.

After all the suspension work was finished and sorted out I took it to the alignment shop, so that's done too.

The gentleman my dad bought the car from didn't know a lot about it, but had it for "some time" . It seems like 10-15 years before my dad bought it, if I remember correctly. He bought it painted and with the interior already in it, and couldn't give us any info on it. From the best we can figure the car was likely painted in the early 80's, although we have nothing factual to support it... body work techniques, color choices, velour interior, etc. The quality of the paint is good overall, the body has a few waves down the side that could probably be blocked out with a long board.

Yes, there is some rust. It's a tri-five. The INNER rocker of the driver's side is mostly rotted. This is evidenced somewhat by the body man's decision to mould the outer rocker into the front fender. I can provide pictures of the rocker, just don't have any at the moment.

The floor is mostly solid, with a piece missing underneath the driver's side seat. It's been patched with another piece of sheet metal. The bottom of the spare tire well is rotted. A few of the dog legs need attention.

The gas tank is new. So is the battery. All gauges work.

Things that the car needs: radio works when key is in ACC postion, not ON position, brake lights work, taillights do not, chatter in power steering pump at low RPM. I'll be addressing each of these slowly while I have it, until it sells.

At this point it is a good, reliable driver. You could keep it just like this and enjoy it, blow it apart for a Ridler competitor, or anything in between.

The VIN indicates it was originally turquoise and white (peacock blue?), had an inline 6 and PowerGlide. The V8 emblems have been added under the rear taillights. My dad put quite a bit of nice Danchuk parts on the car. Most of the stainless is VERY nice, a few pieces need love (front fender driver's side).


As you can hopefully tell, I want to describe the vehicle as carefully and accurately as possible. That said, I ALWAYS encourage a potential buyer to check the car out in person before making a deal. A $500.00 plane ticket is cheap insurance on your part.

Title in hand, no games, no BS. I will accommodate you and your schedule the best I can. I'm still friends with every buyer of every old car I've ever sold.

























A few more pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=967c0a4f14

You can reach me via PM here, or on my cell phone at 435-668-1401. Mountain Standard Time, reasonable hours. I'm 100 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada, 300 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah, on a major interstate (I-15).

[daddio211]

Bump for interior photos....






























[img][/img]

[daddio211]

Cruisin' around town almost every evening. Runs and drives great! Any excuse to drive it, ya know?

"What's that honey? You need a gallon of milk?"

"I forgot the bread, I'll be right back."

"You wanted cheese too? Damn, back in a minute."

"Eggs? I'm on it!"

[daddio211]

Up again. Lots of friends agree its priced right, and can't believe I still have it! Drove it 50 miles last weekend, drove over to meet HAMBer firepilot and family last night, and have a club cruise this weekend. This car is a great driver fellas!

[daddio211]

Your wife called, she said it's okay to buy this bitchin' '55!

[daddio211]

Drove about 100 miles round trip yesterday with our car club. Up to Springdale (Zion National Park) for brunch, then back home. Car ran great despite it being 105 degrees out. Ran 190 on the thermostat most of the time, up to 200 climbing the hills, then back down to 190. Couldn't ask for more!

[daddio211]

Up again. Still getting trade offers, which I appreciate, but the money from the sale of this car goes into my mom's pocket. No trades on this car folks... unless you have almost all the cash, and something cheap to trade.for the difference. If so, I may buy your trade and give the cash to my mom.

[daddio211]

Cruised 50 miles yesterday, ran great! Hate to see it go but out of room and too many projects.

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

[daddio211]

Going cruising tomorrow, and gassed and cleaned up. Come cruisin' with us, you'll fall in love with this car.

[daddio211]

10/22/2012: Price drop to $18,500.

[daddio211]

Cruised about 50 miles this morning with a group of hot rodders. Good times, can't believe I still have this thing for sale!

[daddio211]

Thank you to the MULTIPLE people who notified me that the picture links weren't working, MUCH APPRECIATED FELLAS!

Pictures are now fixed and showing. If you need any particular photos please ask me and I'll send them to you or post them on this thread.

Eric
435-668-1401

[daddio211]

Up again. This car needs a new home fellas!

[daddio211]

Sale pending to Mike in South Texas.

[daddio211]

sold! Hamb ads work, thanks for the great site ryan!