How difficult would a '55 Bel Air with very little rust to restore for someone who's a beginner to cars? I have an opportunity to buy one but you fellows probably have more experience with that. The shocks and springs all seem to be good, the engine is solid (and comes with a 355 pulled from a Corvette for free). The only thing bad is the tank is full of decayed gas and the electrical is completely annihilated other than the obvious bad paint, dirty upholstery, and all those other problems with 50-year-old cars. It comes with a rewiring kit to fix that front end electronic stuff along with whatever spare parts the owner has for it. Should I, an 18 year old in college, take the plunge? I'm a beginner, little knowledge about cars although I'd love to learn and have 9 books sitting on my bookshelf about cars and restoring them, all read. I have a bit of money but not enough to finish the car properly in one-go, but definitely enough to get it running again. Again, take it or leave it?
Well for starters your on the right site. even if you dont buld it right away. If you have a place to keep it while you work on it. There is a ton of info on here in the search area. and if you can't find it there. the knowledge base on this board is staggering. If the price is right and you have time, or the will. Jump on it you might not find another one...ghost
do it you will have a blast......I got my 56 when I was younger than you and I still have it. have fun..
A '55 Chevy is a good car for a first time restorer, since there is so much info availible on the restoration of these cars, and a healthy aftermarket to provide parts. But what I would want to know is, how much of a "beginner" are you? How much do you know how to do? Because I've seen a lot of younger guys buy a project car and plan a full build/restoration their first time out. Not saying you won't be able to do it, but a complete restoration is a pretty ambitious project for someone who doesn't yet have any experience. Too many old cars get bought, blown completely apart, and then abandoned because the owner doesn't have the time/money/space/tools/skills/ambition to finish it. My suggestion to you would be to consider buying an old car that already runs and drives. Something you can practice your skills on, welding, bodywork, mechanical stuff through regular maintenance, stuff like that. Even if it's not a car you plan to keep forever. Get some experience under your belt before you jump head first into a complete resto.
It wouldn't be a complete resto, Squablow. Most definitely not. I would be looking to get it proper looking (not missing random pieces of trim and mirrors and the like) and running under its own power right now. That's it.
That sounds reasonable. I have a '57 and when it came time to get it roadworthy, it was nice being able to get some of the needed parts brand new. Gas tank, gas gauge sending unit, brake shoes, steering components were all availible as reproductions. With a lot of other cars of the era, that stuff would be much more difficult to find. Post some pics of the car if you can get any. What body style is it? How much are you paying for it? If the price is right a '55 Chevy could be a good investment of your time and money.
Gas tank is least of your problems. Repops are very good and not to high. The fuel lines on most are 5/16 ths. if your planning on a big engine that needs lots of fuel you should go to the 3/8's line. These cars are simple and easy to work on. Use a wiring kit and the wiring is plug and play. American auto wire has a real good factory style and a very good modern style. Brakes parts can be bought at the local auto store. I work on them 3 days a week and if I can do anyone can. $0.02
Spend weeks reading and studying the archives of trifive.com and chevytalk.org. You can do it with time, money, and determination.
Great car , easy to get parts, not to much shinny stuff to eat up the money. I vote get it. I just got one a few weeks ago. Lovin every min. If you need any help just ask. Lots of guys with tri-five no-how on the Hamb. Post some pics when you get her home. Good Luck
It's a great car to start with, relatively simple to work on and all parts are available. But be sure you have a place to keep it and work on it. Then sit down and figure out to the last penny and last minute how much it will cost, and how long it will take,------then quadruple it.
Go for it. 55 Chevys are one of the best and most popular cars ever built. Course, I'm a little biased, (I own a 55 Chevy 210). One of the best things to get is a FACTORY 1955 Chevrolet shop manual. It is available in reprints, (try CARS www.carsinc.com ). A factory****embly manual helps alot too. A factory shop manual is much better detailed and focused than a Chiltons or a Haynes. A factory shop manual will cover every part of the car, including wiring, suspension, engine, trans, glass, etc.
The secret is not to try and do it all at once,in my opinion.Do small jobs at first to get into the flow.If you ask around you'll find plenty of stories of guys who tear the whole car down only to lose steam in 6 months and 2 years later still cant find all the parts.One step at a time,research,ask quesions and read.Make up a game plan and stick to it. It's amazing how much can get done even if you only work on the car for a hour or two a night.
Lots of great advise here but don't forget to have a good look underneath for bracings, body mounts, floor etc. Quarter panels although they may seem ok will rot badly just about where you see them radiused on gassers.This is because Chevy used a rubber seal from inner to outer fender.I've had mine for over 3 years and it took a year to get it up and running.(mine was a total basket case) but I don't think I've ever had more fun with a car or gotten more looks and compliments than I've gotten the my 55 210 and it's not painted yet. Lots of fun and work but well worth it. Take your time and if you get stuck on something get here and ask for some help. As said before there are lots of us 55 owners on here and we're willing to help. Get it and good luck and post up some pics
The Tri-Five Chevys are among the best and simplest and easiest to find parts for projects for any amateur in the car hobby. After acquiring the car, spend your first $100+ dollars on paper, Original Factory GM Shop Manual (available as a reproduction), Restoration Manual "How to Restore Your 55 Chevy" from Classic Chevy International, 1955 Passenger Factory****embly Instruction Manual (available in reproduction), and any other fcatory repop stuff you need to have, Accessory Brochures, New Car Brochures, etc. The best money you'll spend is for these books and manuals, because after reading them and looking at your car while doing so you'll KNOW YOUR CAR, and that is the best place to start.
It's a 4 door sedan. I'm paying 4000 for the car, every single spare part, and all the papers that it comes with. You can see it behind this Merc 3.7.
On a 4 door sedan, you will want to check the rear door jambs and rear wheel wells VERY closely. This a bad spot on these body styles. Many times the door jambs will rust out all the way up to the door strikers. Inside the car and right below the triangular rear side window, (behind the upholstry), is a bad spot too.
I guess I'll be the only guy to rain on your parade. No, you shouldn't fool with this until AFTER college. You'll have plenty of time to do a project car when you're done with school. And you'll have more money to do the things you want with the car too.
Why restore it when you could slam it on the ground, shave the door handles. nose and deck it, put in a tube grill. Throw some side pipes on it with some lancer hub caps and white walls. Then paint it some shade of flaked out candy with some scallops and a white tuck N roll interior???
OR throw a straight axle under the front and take the front bumper off and the grill out. Run a hilborn injected small block with a 4 speed. Some spindle mounts up front and white wall cheater slicks out back with green tinted windows?
Not to be the Negative Nelly, but.... If you're a beginner, I don't think that looks like the best bargain for your $4k. If your okay with a 4 door, then you can get a lot closer to a running/ driving car for the $$$. You'll learn plenty just by keeping an old car on the road for a couple of years. Too many guys get in over their head with projects that never see the road.
PASS! concentrate on your education first. 4k for a 55' 4dr is steep. i have a 55' belair 2dr. hdt. that is running but unrestored and i can safely say with me doing the work i'll drop 20k+ easy when i dive into it. all you will end up doing is buying something that will become a burden when you get sidetracked by COLLEGE CHICKS!
$4000 is kinda steep. Will be very hard to get your money back out when you sell.I've been a Tri-five guy for 45 years so trust me.
Fuck no. I had multiple project cars in college, they help keep you sane and are a great dreaming point to pull thru the worst semesters. Back to the original question, here's the deal breaker......Do you have a secure place to store & work on this thing? When it has to sit for 6 months (when, not if) do you have a friendly environment that won't involve neighbors, city inspectors, or******ing parents?? There's a real good chance this car won't live at the same address you do if you're like most people in school. Your plan to keep it a runner is the only way to go. IMO that outta be a turnkey car for 4k with the body appearance. But I'm a cheap********. Understand that putting a car that age back on the road after a decade parked is gonna cost you a thousand dollars in parts over the first thousand miles. 20 little things will fail, and they'll all cost $50 apiece. Even though 55 chevys are cool, you might wanna start with something on-the-road. good luck
The Jalopy Journal
