Featured Customs Happy 70th birthday to the 55 Chevy

Mine is in line for a heart transplant as we speak.

 

Day 1 Now

 

In Highschool my Buddy one year behind me had a 55 2dr post car. Yellow with green flames, 396 big block, 4spd, 5 spoke Americans, black interior, single loop roll bar. My Dad radiused the rear wheel wells and used conduit to put a lip around the opening. Had a lot of fun in that car, broke a lot of parts. He came through the Highschool parking lot during my graduation ceremony, which was outside, with the headers uncorked, did a big smokey burnout through the parking lot. Just 2 dumb kids having fun. After Highschool we parted ways. Lost contact with him, found him a few years ago on Facebook. Asked about the car, he wouldn't really say what happened to it. He did say the engine got sold to a guy for a boat, and he sold the body. That's all he said. He disappeared from Facebook shortly after. Haven't heard from him since. Not sure if he wrecked it or not. I've always wondered what happened to it. That all happened in 1976. Wish I had a picture of it.

 

our 55 is just currently waiting for the nice weather to return to go out and cruise.

 

My first car was my avatar '55 two door that I bought in high school minus engine and transmission. I built a 301 and did a salvage repair to a Saginaw 4 speed. Removed the body trim, bid some body work and painted it a Cadillac green color a friend's dad had left over. It first went on the road minus front bumper, but the law enforcement types frowned on that as well as the not displayed front license plate. A trip to the junk yard yielded a nice rear bumper off a Corvair for a minimalist front bumper. I am now 71 and to this day the '55 body style is my favorite Chevy.

 

Big enough to haul the entire family, but sporty enough to put a grin on my face.

 

Here is my current 55 Chevy Project. According to the VIN, it won't be 70 until May 4th but we can celebrate early.

New Years Day was celebrated by separating the body and frame. Shooting for driving this spring.

 

Had to dig but found a few pics of the last '55 I built. Last pic is what I started with. I said no more project cars but I have one more '55 in me. Need a roller with title.

 

You don’t use that little tiny electric chain fall to put that 57 up in the rafters. Do you?
I’m more of a 56 or 57 fan. 55s seem so plain.

 

That little tiny unit can lift one ton. Great for dropping engines in tri 5s, over the radiator support.

 

Happy to say I've had my 55 Chevy for the past 47 years ....Happy 70th birthday to the classic 1955 Chevy.

 

Back in 65 I had a Tennessee no rust 55 2dr, 283, stick. I bought it off a Chevy dealers used lot for $150 sold it a month later for $300. It was a 5th car for only two people . At that time I had a 61 Impala convert, 53 Ford sedan 40 Ford cpe and the wife had a 60 falcon

 

235, 3 speed O.D. Paid $125 for it in '70 and swapped it for a 57 Pontiac. Shoulda kept both of 'em.

 

Best family vacation car ever.Our little one loves it too...

 

I have a 57 Pontiac Chieftain 2dr hardtop.

 

Here's mine.
Bought in 1969 - black
1971 E/G
1974-ish back on the street

 

Bought another around 1977 or 1978.

Engine set back, straight axle. Ran an alter class. I tried bracket racing it. Not so good

 

3 Nomads, 2 hardtops 3 150, 55 chevies.....along the way

saw this picture, in the early '60's. never could figure how to get one of mine that low..

 

Hello,

In high school, I met this guy that drove to school from a far away place, Palos Verdes. We drove about 2 miles to get to the campus. Bixby Knolls was about 3 miles to our high school. This guy drove almost 16 miles to get to school. So, how does that far away distance qualify for a Long Beach school? He had an address within 3 miles of our high school and used that to qualify to attend, until he graduated.

His claim to fame was this custom 55 Chevy green sedan. We had no photos of it and they were never posted, although the high school journalism class and school newspaper had a campus car show and that 55 Chevy was entered. But, no photos.

Then 60 years later, I conversed with a HAMB contact that had a 55 Chevy built almost the same way as my friend from 1959-61. Lowered rake sedan, white tuck and roll upholstery and chrome reversed rims. The colors were not the same, but the overall style and appearance was awesome. Nice build
@firemangordy

Thanks to @firemangordy for providing almost an exact duplicate of the 55 Chevy sedan (his own 55 sedan is also a great build) from our old high school scene and @themoose for his outstanding version of the cool custom car during the 1960 school year memories.

An almost 100% duplicate of the best custom hot rod in 1960 at our high school. In our sophomore year, this car “ruled” the scene. It was not the fastest car around. But, as far as customizing was concerned, everyone wanted this car for their own uses. Cruising, dates, car shows, and even going to the spectator’s side of the local Lion’s Dragstrip. Not only was the build outstanding with all USA parts and upholstery, the green paint was done locally at a So Cal custom paint shop. It was the most envied car in the whole school for several years, until the owner graduated.

If one got to sit inside in the Chevy sedan in front of the school parking area, it was a “classy” move. Most kids parked along this street and walked by the street parking area into the front of the school. If one got the first three parking spots, it was well protected from harm due to it being right in front of the English classes for all levels of the high school. So, at one time or another, everyone (including the teachers) was looking out of the windows and that kept the cars parked in the first 3 spots, relatively safe from harm.

Jnaki

The whole school knew of the Chevy sedan due to the always in the main parking spot. But, when the Friday/Saturday night cruises took place, how could anyone not notice a bright green 55 Chevy with all white tuck and roll installed in the USA, not South of the border. I was one of the lucky ones that was “allowed” to sit in the passenger seat during some of those Friday/Saturday night cruises.

Envy was paramount and although my other friend had a daily driver 55 Chevy that we also cruised in, the custom touches were different, but evident. YRMV

 

One of my favourite shots. Thought I took it recently.....where did 17 years go?

 

Here's mine..I installed 4.56 gears duel four barrel carbs and four on the floor with a Hurst shifter. Oh the good old days

 

Birthdays mean cake, right?