1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevrolet is an American automobile company that has produced many automobile lineups in the last few decades. However, some of their models did wonders and took the company to the heights of development and progress. One of these models is the Chevrolet Bel Air, made in 1950 under the brand name Chevrolet Styleline. It was impressive and heads turning since the time of its debut; Therefore, it has been among the top cars of many royal families. In this article, we will focus on the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.

The riches on television in the 50s and later years usually featured the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air as their car earned it more recognition. That’s why the first generation of Chevrolet Bel Air is still seen as the trademark of classical and vintage vehicles.

We will discuss the features of the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air generation, primarily focusing on the early models of your second generation.

Chevrolet Bel Air first generation (1950 to 1954):

The first generation of Chevrolet Bel Air set an example for many automobile companies for its Deluxe styleline Bel Air nomenclature. Although the car was initially made in 1950, it got its name Bel Air in 1953. The body style was upgraded and distinguished by a wide Chrome strip of molding that was featured on the rear fender bulge bumper.

It had a luxurious interior with many Chrome, a full Chrome horn trunk, and a state-of-the-art steering wheel. The interior cabin also featured standardized carpeting and complete wheel covers.

The available engine options were 3.5-liter I6 and 3.9-liter I6 engines that supported a 3-speed automatic or manual transmission. The available body configurations included a two-door hardtop coupe, 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, and four-door station wagons.

The second generation of Chevrolet Bel Air (1955 to 1957):

The second generation of Chevrolet Bel Air is undoubtedly the star of the automobile industry and our focus for this article. It enhanced the grace of Chevy’s lineups with its robust and stylish construction. It had a Ferrari-inspired grille, chrome fender spears, chrome headliner bands for hard tops, and stainless window openings. The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air was not an updated version of the Chevrolet Bel Air’s first generation; it was a completely redesigned vehicle. Although it opted for some features from the previous years, significant redesigning was predominant.

Power and Performance

It featured a powerful V8 engine for the first time, and the engine options included a 3-liter V8 and 4.6-liter V8 engine in addition to the previous 3.5-liter I6 and 3.9-liter I6 engines. People could avail themselves of the option of a 2-speed power glide transmission to a 3-speed manual or automatic transmission in the second-generation models. GM Owners manual came in the cost of this vehicle to elaborate to the owners about the operations and maintenance of this new automobile. It also featured an air conditioning system unavailable in the previous models.

It is right to claim that this generation’s models were head-turners. They received top titles and reviews from handling by motor tread and Popular Mechanics for their smooth ride, impressive power, and attractive design. There were some complaints of a knocking engine with regular grade gasoline and lower fuel economy for a V8 engine that burned oil too quickly; However, it could all be repaired with the service manual in hand.

Second Generation Facelift

The later models of this generation got a facelift and a wider grille. The seatbelts became available there’s an option that people rarely availed. The last model, the 1957 Chevy Bel Air, was very popular as one the most popular classics of all time. Car collectors and enthusiasts still seek this model to add to their collections. Any 1957 Bel Air today will cost you more than the newer Chevrolet automobile vehicles. The second-generation body configurations included a 2-door hardtop, a foldable hardtop, a 4-door sedan, a 2-door convertible, a 2-door station wagon, and a four-door station wagon.

Significance of 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air:

As discussed earlier, Bel Air received a new styling for its 1955 model year. It was 15 feet long and weighed 1568 kg. General Motors’ advertising campaign called it a “hot one”. The model was distinguished by the gold lettering of the Bel Air name script. The additional features included a 256 cubic inches, 4.3-liter V8 engine, short stroke design, and overhead valve high compression ratio that remained part of this production for a long time.

The power glide V8 engine reported acceleration from zero to 60 mph in 12.9 seconds. Motor Trend magazine rewarded Bel Air with top marks for handling. It offered a comfortable ride and excellent visibility, becoming the drivers’ favorite in no time. The legroom for different seats was outstanding, I.e., about 43.1 inches, and the brakes were 11 inches drums. In short, it is a car that people will remember forever! If you are a car collector, get it wherever you can to complement your whole collection.