Hello, We were growing up during this time period of factory introductions of new designs. But, the actual real things sitting in the dealer’s showroom floor displays were what attracted us to the cool hot rods. The power of the new V8 motor, and looks of the 55 two door sedan was pretty nice for our choices. 55 two door post, coupe, station wagon, Corvette and of course, the Nomad. The available sedans that fit our bank accounts played a huge part in what we had for transportation. Either that or one had an older brother with a car that was desirable for the younger teens. If my friend who had a black and white 55 Chevy two door sedan in high school had one of these 4 door sedans, that would have been the coolest thing. Swiveling front bucket seats, center opening doors and nice upholstery to go with the styling. Just the other day, when the sun came peaking out of the June Gloom along the coastline, my wife and I drove down to check out the ocean + waves. While there, we were sitting side by side on an outdoor bench, doing our usual viewing and talking. we like to sit in our car sometimes, due to the nature of the shoreline and weather. But, in doing the usual, we wished we were looking at each other while the conversation was going on during our visit. The swiveling seats would have made the conversation take on more meaning in this particular environment. Facing each other makes the conversation important, which is usually is... When the actual cars had swiveling seats, that was for getting in and out. Although the center hump would have caused some difficulties… But those "van life" folks have something going on with comfortable seats that swivel all 360 degrees to cover all angles. With the styling in the 55 Biscayne, there would not have been the long coastal drive to get white tuck and roll upholstery, as the factory interior would have been outstanding. But the one thing I noticed was the curved front windshield. As nice as it looks in the overall streamlining style, as an old hot rod guy would have had two uses for it. One, the view of the large screen at drive-in theaters would have been wonderful. Possibly, actually watching the big screen. Even if we got shoved into the first 10 rows due to the popularity of those “first run” movies. The open curved windshield would have opened up the viewing area immensely. Two, being local beach goers during high school days, especially summers, the weather is not as hot as Arizona, but, it was plenty hot and sunny. Although the “June Gloom” days are always a****st us for the mornings. The rest of the summers are always intensely hot and the sun is relentless. It certainly would have made us tint the top portion of the windshield and lowered the shade visor every time we drove around. As nice as the design. It must have been made in Detroit when the dark winter snows clouded up those designers minds to open up the view and look good, at least on paper or clay. Jnaki Would I like to have owned one for our cruising and hot rod scene? Perhaps a lowered rake and some better rims and tires would make it look a little more sporty, at least for teenagers and 20 somethings. The only available cool wheels were already in the GM stock pile. So, it was or would have been a natural. As far as experimental 55 Chevy Biscaynes were concerned, the design would have us fighting to get on to drive or cruise around. The center opening doors, the low stance, the Corvette styling and overall look had something we would have liked. But, of course it was a "one of a kind" design dream for those auto designers to play with our minds… Ha Ha! YRMV For those frequent car show folks in So Cal and elsewhere… extremely lowered and stylish… The overall outline gives us shades of a Corvette, Corvair later on and the typical GM design far away from actual public use… Sheesh!
I see 57 Cadillac 58 Chevy influence on that rear pillar I would go with a different front end treatment but pretty cool overall I like the interior.
The Jalopy Journal
