The 1955 Chevrolet (sometimes referred to as '55 Chevy) is an automobile that was made by Chevrolet in 1955. It is considered a huge turning point for the manufacturer and a major success. It was available in three models: the 150, 210, and Bel Air.
The '55 Chevy was the first successful Chevrolet with an optional V8 engine. Chevrolet had produced an earlier car with a V8 in 1918 (Chevrolet Series D), which used a 155-horsepower and 288-cubic-inch V8, but it remained in production for only a year. In 1955, Chevrolet decided to fit its new car with an overhead valve V8 engine design, which was similar to the 1949 Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" V8 engine. The new 265-cubic-inch overhead valve V8 was designed to be smaller, lighter, and more powerful than previous V8s in the auto industry.
A year earlier, Ford produced an overhead valve V8--the 239 CID (the same displacement as the previous flathead); however, Ford's "Y-block" (as it was called) was problematic, especially when it came to a critical design error in its engine oiling system. A small and too-deeply set passage from its crankcase to its cylinder heads could easily clog if the oil wasn't changed often. Since oil of that time was low on detergent but high in coke, oil with too much age and short intermediate drives could clog the passage, which could lead to oil deprivation in the top end of the engine and result in burning up the rocker shaft assembly. The Y-block was also limited to the increase of its cylinders, compared to the Chevy V8.
The new "small block" in the '55 Chevy had its problems, however. It had no oil filter, and the factory could only add one externally--owners had to opt for an external oil filter. Those who did not order the engine with the "oil filter option" had dirty oil in a short amount of time. This was corrected for the next year. The new small block V8 had an easy maintenance, and it had a built-in ability to be upgraded. The small block Chevy V8 became so popular that Chevrolet still sells it today. Although there have been various changes made to the motor to modernize it, the basic design of the original 265 remains.
Body Design
Additionally, Chevrolet drastically changed its body design from the previous year. Although Ford had already gone to a shoe box body design in 1949, Chevy was gradually doing the same through the early 1950s. By 1953, the Chevy had advanced to smoothed out straight side panels for a straighter side look, except for the air-foil near the rear wheels. The 1953 Chevy made other gains including wrap-around glass on the back window. Ford was still ahead in the straighter-look shoe box design; the Chevy still had the 1940s-like "3-hump" hood line in the front and rounding in the rear. In 1955, however, Chevy caught up with Ford in the body design category by leaping to a true shoebox look. It had smooth straight panels on the sides and hood, wrap-around glass on the windshield, and triangular tail lights that jutted outward. And this new look, combined with new power and engineering, made the '55 an instant hit and a critical success.
The car's popular "shoe-box" body style and chassis were carried over to 1956 (with changes to some of the front and rear aesthetics), and then carried over to 1957 (where the body was lengthened several inches in the rear and more drastic aesthetic changes were made).
Chevrolet retained the same body and chassis for the 1955, 56, and 57 model years. These years are extremely sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and are often referred to by the given nickname of "tri-fives." The nickname "tri-fives" was given because there were three model years in the 1950s.
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Options and Trim
The 1955 Chevrolet also offered many other firsts for Chevrolet, including changing from a 6-volt to a 12-volt electrical system. The '55 offered new options like air conditioning, power windows, and even power seats; power steering and power brakes were also optional. Other options included automatic light dimmers, door handle protectors, bumper protectors and "wonder-bar" radio's. So many new options were available that some referred to the car as "Chevy's little Cadillac." Never before had so many options been offered for a car in the low-price field.
The 55's top trim offering was the Bel-Air, which had more chrome than the 150 or 210. The Bel-Air and 210 could be bought with a post between the front and rear passenger windows, or without a post. Without a post it was known as a "Hardtop," which came only in a two-door and was not offered in a four-door hard top until 1956. The two-door hardtop was also known as the "Sport Coupe." Since the Sport Coupe had no post between the two side windows, it had a slightly shorter roof and longer rear deck. The Bel-Air was available in a convertible, with the same shorter roof and longer rear deck as the sport coupe. The convertible was offered in Bel-Air trim only.
The '55 offered a wide array of colors. One solid color, which was standard for the 150, could be had for the 210 or Bel Air...or nineteen different two-tone color combinations were also available.
Models
There were nine different variations of the three models made in 1955, with differences in body, roof type, number of doors, and available equipment, but not all possible combinations were sold.
Engines
The following engines were available on the 1955 Chevrolet:
- OHV Inline 6 cylinder: 235 cubic inches, 135 brake horsepower (SAE)
- OHV V8: 265 cubic inches, 162 brake horsepower (SAE)
- OHV V8: 265 cubic inches, 180 brake horsepower (SAE), also known as the "Power Pack" engine
- OHV V8: 265 cubic inches, 195 brake horsepower (SAE), late in the model year, known as the "Super Power Pack"
The 265 was new for 1955, and it was the first V8 available in a Chevrolet since 1919, when the Model "D" was offered. That car did not sell well due to its poor gasoline mileage, so Chevy reverted to OHV inline 4-cylinder engines until 1929 when Chevy switched to an inline 6-cylinder engine. This reliable six cylinder would power chevy cars until 1955 and was known as the "stove-bolt six" and also known as the "blue flame six". But the new 265 V-8 in 1955 offered more power than the optional blue flame six, and weighed 100 pounds less.
The 265 was a big success, and was fitted to the majority of Chevrolet cars for decades in various cubic inch displacements. It is commonly referred to as the "Small Block Chevy" motor.
Transmissions
The car contained one of three transmission types, all with the shifter on the column:
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdrive
- 2-speed automatic "powerglide."
All models had the three transmission options.
Critical acclaim
The '55 Chevy was a huge success with the general public. After its introduction, it was quickly dubbed "the hot one", and the public flocked to dealerships to get a look at the new car. Over 1.7 million were produced, and they accounted for nearly 23% of all car sales in the US in 1955. Although Chevrolet was already the top-selling car for several decades leading up to 1955, its appeal was mostly to older drivers. After 1955, Chevrolet had mass appeal. The '55's light weight (3,200 lbs) combined with its powerful engine and popular shoe-box body design also made it a hit with hot rodding circles and soon after, collectors. The 55 would also put Chevrolet into the motorsports arena for the first time, where it would win many races.
Today, the '55 Chevy is one of the most recognizable cars ever made and is a top draw for collectors.
Popular Culture
A 55 Chevy (210) was featured in the 1974 movie "American Graffiti" as the black hot rod driven by Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) to challenge the current town champ John Milner (Paul Lemat) in his yellow 1932 Ford 5 window coup.
The same 55 Chevy would also previously used in the 1971 movie "Two-Lane Blacktop". Which starred singer James Taylor, Dennis Wilson (member of the Beach Boys) and actor Warren Oates.
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