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Technical 55 Chevy What Era & Class

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Johnny Gee, Nov 24, 2025.

  1. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,353

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Nephew Phillip just asked in a text what style this 55 was built to be. I really can’t my finger on it. What do you all say? Thanks IMG_4987.jpeg
     
    Toms Dogs, catdad49 and chryslerfan55 like this.
  2. Early pro stock maybe?
     
  3. primed34
    Joined: Feb 3, 2007
    Posts: 1,558

    primed34
    Member

    Very early 70's.
     
    Tickety Boo likes this.
  4. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,353

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    G***er Madness is saying 69-70 as well as saying first lowered G***er.
     
    Tickety Boo likes this.
  5. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,954

    Fogger
    Member

    Probably an altered because the wheelbase isn't stock.
     
  6. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,404

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    This car has enamored me for years, it was time to put the jacked up style g***ers and altereds to bed.
     
    Just Gary and rod1 like this.
  7. 57Fury440
    Joined: Nov 2, 2020
    Posts: 542

    57Fury440
    Member

    The lowered cars in gas cl***es came about with the much better slicks that became available. The new lowered cars never had the look or excitement the older g***ers had. The car in the picture might be an altered cl***.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  8. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,651

    chevy57dude
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Spindle mount Halibrands are some of the best wheels ever made. Love 'em!
     
    Bill's Auto Works, Just Gary and rod1 like this.
  9. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,404

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

  10. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,353

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    That’s the photo on G***er Madness’s FB page where members say 69-70 and lowered g***er.
     
    porkshop likes this.
  11. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,353

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Seen that one as well. Lends in to being still a g***er but it’s looking early funny???
     
    porkshop likes this.
  12. Taboo56Chevy
    Joined: May 21, 2018
    Posts: 2,044

    Taboo56Chevy
    Member

    based on that photo this would be no earlier than 69 based on the chevy truck grille on the far left peeking out. I think in those last days of the gas gl***es, you could move the front wheel base a certain amount and still be in gas. Would be altered if the rear end is also moved, but from the pictures looks like the rear end is still in its factory spot, just the front is pushed forward.

    Being 69 this would be after Ohio George and his Mustang kind of reset the cl*** with its more lowered stance. This car sits lower, so probably they were pushing the height the other direction. Defiantly not funny car as that had already spiraled out to full flopper at this point.
     
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  13. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 7,042

    catdad49
    Member

    Racing at Lions! 2v2evUhBox6ZpF5.jpg I
     
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  14. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,404

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Not funny!

    upload_2025-11-25_9-13-2.jpeg
     
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  15. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,404

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Guessing fairly early, stock front suspension and narrow Halibrands.
     
    porkshop and lurker mick like this.
  16. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 11,345

    jnaki

    upload_2025-11-26_4-31-57.png

    Hello,


    The 55 Chevy sedan has the look of a Gas Coupe/Sedan Cl*** compe***or. But, all photos show the front wheel being extended for some reason and then it becomes an Altered Sedan Cl*** race car. The motor looks to be pushed back, as it is close to the end of the hood with the injector tubes sticking out.
    upload_2025-11-26_4-33-20.png
    This is a better photograph and the timeline is based on the other cars at Lion’s Dragstrip. In September of 1966, the new Camaro cars came out to the public. So, give the racers time to get the set up correct and the black Camaro nose is shown behind the red 55 Chevy, just above the injectors. It may be sometime in early 67.

    By this time, funny cars were just starting and the Gas Coupe Cl***, the Altered Cl*** cars were still running, but on their last legs. The cl***es were being faded out in favor of the appearance of the modified “funny” cars. A lot of dragstrips used those Gas Coupes and Altered Cl*** cars as exhibition/match race runs or a specific day to showcase the individual Gas Coupes vs Gas Coupes only race days.

    Jnaki

    Even with a huge 352 cubic inch SBC motor, the 55 Chevy could be cl***ified as a C/Altered cl***, unless the nose is fibergl*** and pushed the rating up to B/Altered. YRMV
    upload_2025-11-26_4-35-9.png
    Remember, most of the “up in the air” nose cars were not the main race cars in any cl***. It was a stylized form due to the real Gas Coupes and Sedans, plus the experimental stock car cl*** blasting the nose in the air, upon full acceleration at the start. But, this timeline is beyond traditional HAMB.

    Note:

    The timeline during the 1964-65 era shows the car completely street legal for the Gas Coupe and Sedan Cl***. Including bumpers and the stock wheel base. E/G is perhaps a 265 SBC motor. Yes, Hilborn Injectors or even Algon Injectors being “street legal”… that is a good one. HA!

    upload_2025-11-26_4-36-39.png
     
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  17. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,404

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    The early shots show what appear to be Halibrands being reverse mounted on the rear.
     
    catdad49 and Johnny Gee like this.

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