Here is a great looking 1955 Chevrolet Two Door 210 Wagon. This two tone example represented the first year of the Tri-Five Chevys. This covered the model years, 1955, 1956 and 1957. This includes the well-known One-Fifty, Two-Ten, Bel Air, and Nomad models. The 210’s were the popular sporty mid range series with the Bel Air being top of the line.
The 1955 Chevrolet was a milestone car and represented a major move forward for the Chevrolet Division of General Motors.
The first year of the Tri Five Chevy’s was a huge success. Chevrolet production that year totaled nearly 1.8 million vehicles. According to the book “American Cars of the 1950s” by Robert Genat and David Newhardt, Chevrolet’s accounted for 44% of the low-price passenger cars purchased that year and 24% of all new cars sold that year.
1955 Chevrolet Styling
Styling for the 1955 Chevrolet was totally new compared to anything before it. Chevy literally changed from building little economy sedans to producing sleek automobiles that attracted a younger buyer demographic. The new 1955 Chevrolet had smooth straight panels on the sides and hood.
The 1955 examples highlighted a new grille influenced by Ferrari. The dash board had a Corvette look to it and buyers were offered a two-tone color scheme plus a new V-8 engine was made available. The chrome was minimal and the body lines gave a low profile look. The flared rear quarter panels of the 54 models was gone which gave the 55 model a sleek look.
The top of the line Bel Air, the highest priced Chevy passenger car, came with the maximum amount of exterior chrome and bright trim.
Options for the 1955 Chevy 210
Plenty of options were available for the Chevy 210 Wagon, several of which are standard equipment on most automobiles today. These included backup lights, courtesy lights, air conditioning, deluxe heater and defroster, dual electric windshield wipers. floor mats, electric clock, power brakes, locking gas cap, and more.
1955 Chevrolet 210 Wagon Specifications
Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.
Dimensions include a 115.0 inch wheelbase, overall length 197.1 inches, 74.0 inch width, 60.8 inch height. Curb weight 3,450 lbs.
Total 1955 Chevrolet Production was 1.775,000 vehicles. Out of that number there were only 29,415 two door 210 Handyman Wagons produced. In total, the Chevrolet Division built 160,000 wagons in 1955. The biggest seller for Chevy that model year was the four door Bel Air Sedan at 366,000 units. As far as market share, Chevrolet produced almost 25 % of all new cars sold that year.
In regards to our featured 55 Chevy Two Door 210 Wagon , only 29,400 examples were produced making this a fairly rare classic automobile.
Related Auto Museum Online articles include..
1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible
Reference material for this article includes..Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide..A Guide to Building a Tri-Five Chevy by Ron Ceridono..Tri-Five Chevrolet by Patrick Hill.
The 1955 Chevrolet 210 Collector Popularity
As sales numbers clearly demonstrate, the 1955 Chevrolet was a big hit with buyers. Here is a milestone automobile that ushered in the modernized Tri-Five Chevy years. All of the Tri-Five Chevy’s including those from 1955 remain popular collector cars.
Those looking to restore or freshen up any of these Tri-Five models should find parts relatively easy to find.
Sale prices for the 1955 Chevrolet 210 Wagon’s in good to excellent condition have been in a range from about $35,000 to $60,000 depending on both condition and originality.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)
