[autoevolution] The Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most iconic American cars ever built. It survived from 1949 to 1980, but the mid-1950s models are the most coveted. Many argue that the 1957 Bel Air is the best of the bunch, but the 1955 version is nothing to sneeze at either. It doesn't have the 57's big fins, but you'd be hard-pressed to find another car that blends stylish cues with hot-rod looks in such an appealing way.Luckily, Chevy built quite a few Bel Airs back in the 1950s, and many of them are still on the road. And because they're so hot-looking and popular, barn finds are usually restored. This 1955 Bel Air here is a fine example of how a classic should be brought back to life.
The two-door hard-top looks perfect on the outside, with all chrome work shining as if it just left the factory. The paint is also in excellent condition, but that's because the car repainted some years one. There's just one caveat here: this isn't the original color.
This Bel Air left the factory sporting a two-tone livery in Regal Turquoise Poly and India Ivory. Bel Air enthusiasts will recognize that option as "612S." But one owner opted to refinish the car in yellow and white.
The two-tone livery is true to the original Bel Air layout, with one color covering the rear end, the upper rear fenders, and the top. However, Chevrolet didn't offer such an option back in 1955. The Bel Air palette included no fewer than 13 hues back then, but there was no yellow. The white paint used on the car does look a lot like the original India Ivory, though.