1955-56 Chevy

ZZZZZZZ

Saw this beauty while out this morning…..one of the sweetest looking cars ever built.

My buddy had one in Calgary and we rode everywhere in it. 🙂 🚗

HardlyWorthit

Maybe make it 1955-57 Chevy . . .

ZZZZZZZ

HardlyWorthit The 57 had more fins than round tail lights. 🤓

Sparkchaser

ZZZZZZZ The 57 had more fins than round tail lights.
My father had a 57. Nice car. I don’t think I ever drove it. I didn’t get my license until 1962.

takeahike

They should have a retro version with modern technology, with the ’57 Bel Air the obvious choice. Despite how beautiful they were, of course the modern technology would be essential, since at least in my experience these cars leaked every fluid that they had. I had a ’66 Chevy II and an ’81 Malibu–the ’66 leaked oil and transmission fluid and water from the radiator, and the ’81 I believe leaked only transmission fluid. Of course it would not be cheap. The ’57 Bel Air with a three-speed manual transmission sold for around $2,500 at the time.

HooRU

I’m done with gas guzzler’s, I no longer see the romance of it.

takeahike

HooRU

It wouldn’t necessarily be that way. A modern 4 cyl. Japanese engine would power it well and would be efficient. It would of course have all modern technology, engine, transmission, brakes, tires, etc.

Somewhat-Reticent

HooRU gas guzzlers

Kinda got their big boost in ’73 when oil bizs “contributed” to politicians,
who then used Deliberate Ignorance legislating Cleaner Emission Percentages
while omitting efficiency requirement maintenance.

egeezer

It’s a 1955, two door sedan(not hardtop). Either a 210 or BelAir.
I had two ’55s and a ’56. Both were street rodded. Lots of fun to drive.

HardlyWorthit

takeahike The ’57 Bel Air with a three-speed manual transmission sold for around $2,500 at the time.

That window sticker is for a Nomad with factory air, 4 speed close ratio, and fuel injection. They are rarer than convertibles and 4-door no post hardtops.
Just sayin . . .

takeahike

ZZZZZZZ

I see a fair amount of classic cars. The climate in So. Cal. is conducive to them lasting, with low humidity allowing the bodies and frames to avoid premature rust. A neighbor down the street has a Studebaker, probably around a 1960 model. When I was in Berkeley in the early 70s, 50s models was pretty much all that people were driving.

HardlyWorthit

egeezer Either a 210 or BelAir.

If the trim and badges are correct, it’s a 6 cylinder 150.

egeezer

HardlyWorthit
I remember Danny Ongais had a purple fuel dragster, and had a beautiful matching ’56 Chevy Nomad for a push car. I saw him run at the Nationals at Indy. One of my friends back home had a ’55 Chevy that looked just like the one in American Graffiti.

I didn’t have the money to build high end racers, but learned to score decent gear and know which parts would fit.

My ’55s were BelAirs, with the 265 ci engines and Powerglide trans replaced with 283 ci bored to 301 ci, double hump heads from a 327, rock crusher Muncie trans, Holley 550s since they weren’t high ci engines. One build had the 098 Corvette camshaft, the other a track grind Melling. They were budget hot rods but still fun to drive.

HooRU

When I was a kid, I had a 1970 Dodge Charger with the 727 Slapstick. I though I was hot $8!t, but I was an ass. I know the classics are cool and rods were fun, but today I find electrics cooler, though there are drawbacks, like fridge weather killing batteries and cars exploding.

HooRU

My car was the same as the car in Bullitt. It got me in trouble and almost cost me worse trouble. I loved working on cars, too.

Milo_DeTeckel

HardlyWorthit Even though it most likely started with a 6 cylinder, the dual exhaust that it now has, means that it now has a V8 and has been hot rodded.

HardlyWorthit

Milo_DeTeckel
That would be most likely, however there are many sixes with dual exhaust.

egeezer

HardlyWorthit
Back in the 50s, Chevy 6 inline 235 ci came factory with single exhaust. A popular modification was to install a split manifold, Y pipe dual exhaust and tail pipes. If you wanted to splurge, you could swap out the 235 for a GMC 302 with a racing camshaft and dual one barrels. I would guess that the rod in the pic has cleaned off the emblems and chrome and it wouldn’t surprise me that it has a crate engine, 4 speed trans, suspension and rear end upgrades.

55 chevies had front motor mounts. In mid ’57 Chevy went to side mounts to minimize breaking motor mounts from high torque. A popular cheat for ’55s was to find an early ’57 283 block and build it for a drop in fit to a 55-56 body, and claim it was a 265. More educated guys would look at the serial number and the casting right below the number to ID the real engine.

In that time period, 6 cylinder 302 Jimmies in Chevy stocker dirt trackers ran against Hudsons with 309 ci sixes. Those Hudsons were built low to the ground and did well on dirt.

“Buzzin’ half dozen” is still a thing! 🙂

HardlyWorthit

egeezer “Buzzin’ half dozen”

Been there, done that, wore out the t-shirt.

egeezer

HardlyWorthit

My first ’55 was originally a 235 ci with Powerglide. The Powerglide didn’t like hard curves though.the fluid would slosh to one side and it would just act like it was in neutral 😃

I put a split manifold and glasspacks on it and drove it for awhile. I could get about 108-110 mph out of it. Later, I pulled the engine and trans in favor of a built up front mount 283 block and rock crusher Muncie. After the upgrade I could bury the speedometer needle … Wheeee!

What was your 6 banger experience?