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This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Begs for Full Restoration Since the Late 1970s

The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air marked the debut of the second-generation series, and this time, the lineup was available with a series of four different engine options, namely two six-cylinders and two V8s.
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 16 photos
Photo: eBay seller m_bran9
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However, the more powerful 283ci (4.6-liter) V8 debuted in 1957, so the top Bel Air in 1955 was available with a 265ci (4.3-liter) V8 with an output of 162 horsepower.

The Bel Air that we have here is indeed a 1955 model, but on the other hand, the engine under the hood is long gone after a previous owner wanted to do a swap but never finished the job. But let’s start with the good news.

The 2-door hardtop still looks solid, though it obviously shows its age, especially because it was stored outside for about a year. Seller m_bran9 on eBay says the car was originally moved to storage in the late ‘70s by the owner who wanted to perform the engine swap; after spending several years in a garage, it was moved outside.

The owner removed the original engine in an attempt to do the said swap but never installed another unit, so if you buy this Bel Air, you are the one to decide what to do next.

At some level, this is good news if what you’re aiming for is a restomod. Still, on the other hand, if you were hoping to restore the car to the factory specs, that might be a little bit too difficult given you’re only getting the 3-speed transmission.

The car also needs front seats, and unfortunately, we’re not told if anything else is missing, so it’s hard to estimate how complete this Bel Air is.

Despite all these shortcomings, this Bel Air is quite an eBay sensation, as the car has already received no less than 14 bids so far. The no-reserve auction is projected to come to an end in approximately one day, and the highest offer at the time of writing is $12,300.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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