Classic Chevy's - 1955 Chevrolet - Part 1
By Steven
Farber
A nation of drivers were home bound starting in 1942 with the beginning of the United
States involvement in WWII. Automobile production was halted that year as manufacturers
geared up to make airplane, trucks and tanks and what ever else was needed for the war
effort. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the big three auto makers, GM, Ford and Chrysler
began to reinvent the automobile. The 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953 and 1954 Chevrolets received
only modest facelifts and were called dull but dependable. However, in 1955, 1956 and
1957 appearance and engineering was changed radically by Chevrolet. Who was responsible
for the new Chevy's? Chuck Jordon, Harley Earl and especially Edward Nicholas Cole, Chevrolet’s
Chief Engineer.
In May of 1952 General Motors, Chevrolet stylist and Ed Cole began a three year run
on what the old car collectors 50 years later would call the best of the 1950s Classic
Cars. The first Chevrolet produced during this new era of low price dream cars, was the
1955 Chevrolet. It was introduced as the "Hot One". A national love affair was about
to began.
Chevrolet shed its dull old image in 1955, replacing it with all new "Motoramic" styling.
"Don’t argue with this baby" warned one Chevrolet ad in 1955. Chevy did have a lot to
boast about that year and it knew it. Completely redesigned, with lots of styling, accessories,
and a powerful new V-8 it was generally the most changed Chevy since WWII.
The 1955 Chevrolet had 3 different models, Bel Air, Two-Ten and One-Fifty, and 16 new
body styles! The Bel Air Convertible, Sport Coupe 2 door hard top, 4 door sedan, 2 door
sedan, Beauville 4 door station and the Nomad 2 door station wagon. The mid level Two-Ten
Sport Coupe 2 door hard top, Delray Club Coupe 2 door, 4 door sedan, 2 door sedan, Townsman
4 door station wagon and the Handyman 2 door station wagon. The lower cost models were
the One-Fifty 4 door sedan, 2 door sedan, 2 door utility sedan and the Handyman 2 door
station wagon. Even more appealing body colors were available in 1955, with 14 solid
color options and 21 new two-tone combinations.
The new 1955 Chevrolet offered a V-8 engine for the first time in 35 years. It was named
the 265 cubic inch "Turbo-Fire" V-8 which delivered 162 horsepower with a 2 barrel carburetor
and 180 horsepower with a 4 barrel carburetor. Also available was Chevrolet's old reliable
235 cubic inch six cylinder that developed 123 horsepower. Transmissions included a 3-speed
standard, 3-speed with overdrive and the Powerglide.
The new Chevrolet's were smoother, lower and longer looking. A grand total of 1,704,667
1955 Chevy's were produced, setting a production record in 1955. In response to this
large demand only one question remained. What would Chevy do for an encore? The answer
was the 1956 Chevrolet (Part 2).
Steve Farber is an author and auto related web site publisher. Learn more about
the "Hot One's"! GM's Classic 1955
Chevrolet, 1956 Chevrolet
and 1957 Chevrolet
at his three web sites by viewing lots of seldom seen "Vintage Chevy Ad" pictures
of body styles, body colors, interior colors. Plus, engine specifications, prices
and production figures.
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