Old Cars and more

1955 Chevrolet Corvette$89,995

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Price: $89,995
Contact: View Original Ad from Hemmings
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Price Analysis: Fair Deal, 2.0% above market avg. What's this?
If you like the styling of the early Corvetteand#44; the one you really want to own is a 1955 like this California-bred example. The 53s are interesting because they were the firstand#44; but with the 1955 models were the first of the V8 Vettesand#44; and a Corvette without a small block V8 is only ¾ of the fun.<br /> <br /> We dont have a lot of history on this handsome Gypsy Red Corvetteand#44; but we do know that any 1955 Corvette is a rather rare car with only about 700 being built. It comes from Californiaand#44; with the current owner acquiring it in 2008 and bringing it back east to be a part of a massive collection of high-quality cars. It has obviously been restored at some pointand#44; because the paint and fiberglass are in good condition and it fits together very well. The door gaps are a little wide at the bottomand#44; but they were like that in showroomsand#44; so its not really a big deal. This cars show days are probably overand#44; but it is a very sharp driverand#44; and thats really where Corvettes are happiest. The toothy front grille is in excellent shapeand#44; the stainless shines up beautifullyand#44; and it takes a sharp eye to tell a 55 from its earlier brothersand#44; welland#44; until you start the engine anyway.<br /> <br /> You only got two color choices insideand#44; bright red or beige vinyland#44; and this car got beige which is by far the less common choice. Like the exteriorand#44; the interior has been restored at some point using correct materials and patterns that look great in the vintage fiberglass sports car. Likewiseand#44; the carpetsand#44; door panelsand#44; and other soft parts were surely replaced and it all remains in excellent condition with few signs of use. Its still got a color-matched red steering wheel with 50s horn ring and all the secondary gauges are arrayed along the lower center of the dash so the passenger has something to doand#44; too. The original radio is in the dash but sadly not functioning and the tach has been disconnected due to a noisy cableand#44; which is an easyand#44; inexpensive fix. A 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission was by far the most popular choiceand#44; and thats what this Vette is carryingand#44; tooand#44; but as youve undoubtedly already experiencedand#44; its a great combination with the V8 engine. Overhead theres a new tan convertible top that fits extremely well and the trunk is spacious enough for plenty of luggage on a road tripand#44; the Corvettes favorite activity.<br /> <br /> The 265 cubic inch V8 under the hood should need no introductionand#44; and by dropping it between the Corvettes fendersand#44; Zora Arkus-Duntov managed to save Chevys plastic fantastic from extinction. We have every reason to believe this is the cars original engineand#44; but theres no way to know for sureand#44; but it certainly looks right under the forward-tilting hood. Topped with a chrome air cleaner and matching valve coversand#44; it looks suitably flashy for the Chevy flagship and many of the details are correctand#44; from the generator to the cast iron master cylinder. Bright Chevy Orange paint makes it identifiable at a glance and it runs beautifully with a smooth purr from the dual glasspack-style mufflers underneath. The transmission shifts welland#44; waiting until youre just sure it wont shift then dropping happily into high gear and urging the Corvette forward. The undercarriage was obviously nicely finished when it was restoredand#44; although it now shows some signs of use and age but thats really not a surprise on something this much fun to drive. Proper 6.70-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires are installedand#44; which is the only choiceand#44; especially with stock wheels and hubcaps.<br /> <br /> A handsomeand#44; fun-to-drive early Corvetteand#44; this is a car you can enjoy at every opportunity without worries and with V8 powerand#44; youll never feel like something is missing. Call today!