55 Chevy - 1st time I've ever seen one like it!

I have owned at least 15 '55 Chevys over the past 40 years and this is definitely a first for me! Never knew of a sliding sun roof and locking steering column in '55. I guess it's legit... anyone know for sure???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955...4546461?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2eb627a29d

 

I'd sure like to get a better look at that roof

 

I've had alot of 55s too but never seen one like that especially with a top like that....

 

Full-length sun-roofs were quite common in the UK, and I suspect the rest of Europe - look up Webasto. Maybe installed at/by the dealership in Germany?

 

I could accept the lock on the steering column - that is an accessory-type item. I see that it has LEE style taillight lenses and that is most assuredly NOT a stock interior - export or not. I'd be surprised if that sunroof was installed by anyone on this side of the pond. Looks too much like a VW or Mercedes....coincidentally, both German cars. First owner probably had it done when he got there. This is all conjecture of course, and it's clouded by the fact that these big items are just NOT on the 55 list of possible options. Done by someone besides the factory, ergo - it is CUSTOM...just like the taillights, just like the interior (ugly job on that one armrest by the way).

My opinion...often wrong, but never in doubt.

dj

 

That is too cool!! Never seen anything like it!

 

That's bizarre! I would've guessed, judging by the interior and wheels, the sunroof was a result of the '80s, but the dude says he has paper's and old pictures and what not.... Weird man..

 

I grew up in Germany in the 50s and 60s. Those steering column locks were very common as all cars were required to be theft proof. An item probably now removed but definitively on the car when it lived in Germany was the "Panzer Zuend Spule" The armored coil was an ignition switch connected to a coil by slightly bendable metal tube. We had to install that dreaded thing every time we brought a car in from the US.
Sliding roof is most likely from Webasto. Germans love sliding roofs and they were an item of high luxury. It would be logical that somebody who went to the trouble of buying an imported car way more expensive than a Mercedes to add that status symbol to his car.
That interior is awful - and certainly not european.

 

LOL. Can't imagine that coming out of any factory!

 

I like the part about redoing it and taking it to Barrett Jackson!!! What a laugh. I would want to buy this car for much less because of the body work needed to fix that roof.

 

You're right...'70s mod..

 

where did the factory 8 track go?

 

Strange that the sliding roof handle looks just like one in an old VW....huh....

 

Looks like a couple of 56 Chevy dash knobs??

 

I own a VW bus with a factory sunroof and that handle looks just like it.I wonder if it says golde on it like mine.I agree that interior is nasty.

 

The roof looks like a period type folding piece that would have been installed overseas at that time, not here in the states.

The locking steering column is so NASTY looking. General Motors would have never installed that chunk of metal on their steering columns, especially if the keyway didn't match the ignition switch next to it on the dash. It looks like a piece from a tractor.........

 

Looks like some Boyd Coddinton would do to a car.

 

Looks like bullshit to me.......that is NOT a *factory* sunroof, but looks much more like an aftermarket installation, probably done in Germany......... The interior is NOT factory in any way and that *rare map pocket* was obviously added at the time of the terrible reupholstery job.........as for the steering column lock.........I can't offer an opinion it is so bulky and ugly.......doesn't look like anything *factory* to me......... but, what do I know? I'm going with HemiFarris' opinion on that one........CB

 

That ugly-assed interior would be easy to fix, the roof-would be a bit more of a pain.
How come no shots of under the hood? Maybe there is a vw motor under there.

 

When will these guys stop making the BS claims. No way is that steering column lock or the roof factory installed items.

As has been posted they would have been installed in Germany.

Dealer installed parts are NOT factory. After a car leaves the factory anything installed at a dealership can NOT be considered factory.

Dealer installed options are in fact aftermarket.

 

It will take a lot more documentation than what is there to prove anything of particular interest to any collector on this auto.

The "German" part of the story is interesting as is the KM speedometer.

The interior is OBVIOUSLY done by a poor custom shop with shabby material or by someone's Grandma. Wrong fabric for the era and, well, straight lines should be straight and curved lines should have an artistic flair, not a drunken wobble.

The fact that Chevrolet has no information speaks the most on this situation.

The top looks very obviously aftermarket to me, although I will admit that we once had a 68 Camaro in town that supposedly came from France with KM speedometer and a very factory appearing sliding sunroof that was steel, covered in vinyl just like the rest of the roof and slid back into the body. Hmmm. Now I am beginning to wonder if it just had a nice Euro conversion roof on it too...

Interesting car and cool to see the photos. Rare and desirable??? I guess the final auction price will indicate if there is a serious buyer or not.

 

That roof and lock are definitely no stock, factory done items.
Aside from that, the whole car leaves a lot to be desired.

 

And the best part is, its a Gasser. Says so right in the ad description. He must be a HAMB'er...

 

WOW seems a bit stupid to put the vin # on the internet !!
That roof is defiantly German looks exactly like a vw bug roof

 

The spare tire opening has been enlarged. I own a 1955 and I know for a fact that wide tire will not fit in the original opening. I have to use an original size tire and wheel for a spare.

 

it had to be a dealer install ragtop if it was factory. looks like an afternarket rag

 

No... it looks like something that ZOMBIE Boyd Coddington would do to a car...

 

Sunroof is EXACTLY like the one in my friends caddy. And I watched him cut the hole in the roof and install it.

 

Apparently not too many people are buying the seller's story. Only bid to $10K with just 2 days left. That's number 4 condition value, which is about what this one is.

 

Pass, complete with bogus bidders !