1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
A-body · Revolutionary new design replaced the stodgy 1954. Introduce... · The car that changed everything — the original tri-five
Highly Collectible
Production & Overview
Total Production
1,704,467
Original MSRP
N/A
Assembly Plants
Multiple GM plants nationwide
Wheelbase
115 inches
Body Styles
2-Door Hardtop · 4-Door Hardtop · Convertible · 2-Door Sedan · 4-Door Sedan · Station Wagon · Nomad
Curb Weight
3,140 lbs
Notable Packages & Production
Bel Air Nomad — Nomad
3-5x base
8,386
produced
Available Engines
235 235ci — inline-6
Blue Flame six — base engine
123 hp
265 265ci — V8
New small block V8 — base V8
162 hp
265PP 265ci — V8
Power Pack option — 4-barrel carb
180 hp
265D4 265ci — V8
Dual 4-barrel — top option
195 hp
Buyer Checklist
⚠ Clone warning: Numbers-matching V8 commands significant premium. Always verify with cowl tag, engine stamp, and registry before purchase.
Verify cowl tag paint and trim codes
Check engine date codes — must predate build date
Inspect all body panels for rust — cowl, floor pans, frame rails
Nomad body — check for unique rust points at tailgate and roof
Verify correct small block V8 if advertised as V8 car
Check for correct two-tone paint — very popular and often incorrectly reproduced
Inspect for body filler — early fiberglass repair panels are common
Check convertible top mechanism if applicable
Verify correct trim level badges and emblems
Road test: check for frame flex and body rattles
Known Problem Areas
Cowl area rust — base of windshield
Floor pan rust and frame rust
Body filler abuse on quarters and lower body
Incorrect two-tone paint combinations
Engine swaps — verify small block V8
Repro parts misrepresented as original
Nomad-specific: tailgate rust and unique body panel issues
What Drives Value
↑ Increases Value
Nomad body style — most desirable
Convertible with V8
Numbers-matching V8 with documentation
Original two-tone paint verified by cowl tag
Unrestored original survivor
↓ Decreases Value
Heavy rust in structure
Incorrect color combination
6-cylinder when V8 claimed
Body filler abuse
Restoration Overview
Difficulty
Medium-High
Parts Availability
Excellent — strongest 1950s reproduction market
Driver Quality Cost
$20,000 – $45,000
Show Quality Cost
$55,000 – $110,000
Key Suppliers
Classic Industries · Tri-Five.com · OER · Golden Star
Pop Culture & Legacy
One of the most iconic American cars ever made
Featured in Back to the Future, American Graffiti, and hundreds of films
Consistently one of the most searched classic cars in America
Other Chevrolet Bel Air Years