Featured is a great looking 1955 Chevy Corvette. This was the third model year for the Corvette.
There were only 300 models built for the 1953 model year and most of those were built by hand. This was a result of GM rushing the model into production after the enthusiastic reception the model attained at the 1953 New York Motorama which had just been held in January. The first 1953 model was built at the end of June 1953, only about six months after it’s introduction in New York as a Chevrolet concept car.
The Introduction of the 1955 Chevy Corvette with More Power
The new Corvettes with their fiberglass bodies gained a lot of attention from the automotive press at the time. The problem for the 1954 models was a lack of power. It was said that the new Corvette was a fine looking American sportscar but with an engine better suited for a sedan.
General Motors management had projected sales of 10,000 1954 Corvettes and only 3,000 were actually sold.
With these first year results there were those at GM calling for cancellation of the model itself. That in itself is incredible when you see just how popular the model finally became.
The power problem had to be addressed and it was with the 1955 Chevy Corvette. Out came the 195 HP Chevy V-8 engine with it’s dual exhausts and four-barrel carburetor.
Zora Arkus-Duntov
Credit has to be given to engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov who saw the Corvette while attending the 1953 Motorama show in New York City. His impression was that the Corvette was the finest looking car he had ever seen. With that said, he questioned why this car only had an inline six engine and only an automatic transmission to boot. Arkus-Duntov wrote to General Motors President Ed Cole suggesting improvements that would increase the car’s performance. Cole was so impressed with what the letter suggested that he hired Arkus-Duntov to take on the project. Over the next 20 years, Arkus-Duntov would spearhead the development of the Corvette into a full-fledged sports-car. More information on Zora Arkus-Duntov can be found at…automotivehalloffame.org.
1955 Chevy Corvette Specifications
Two engines were available with the 1955 Corvette. These were a Small B;lock 265 Cubic Inch 195 HP “Turbo-Fire V8” with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a 235 Cubic Inch 155 HP “Blue Flame” Six with 3 side-draft carburetors. The majority of 1955 models built had the V-8 engine.
Transmissions were a Two Speed Powerglide or Synchro-Mesh 3-speed manual.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums with bonded linings.
Front suspension was independent coil springs with a ride stabilizer. Rear was a live axle with four leaf springs and Delco double acting shock absorbers.
Dimensions included a 102.0 inch wheelbase, 167.0 inch overall outside length, 72.0 inch width, 30.0 inch height measured to the door top. Curb weight averaged about 2,830 lbs.
There were only 700 Corvettes built for the 1955 model year. Because 10,000 were initially expected many observers thought this would be the end of the line for the model. A game changer for 1955 was the introduction of the two seat Ford Thunderbird. Although the Thunderbird was a two seater like the Corvette, the Thunderbird was marketed as a personal car rather than a true sports car. The rivalry between the Ford Motor Company and General Motors is legendary. Due to this strong competitiveness, there was no way that GM was going to cancel their Corvette sports car with the Thunderbird hitting the market. GM decided to continue and eventually make the Corvette a success which they surely did.
New car price in 1955 was about $2,775 for the six and about $2,920 for the V-8.
Additional related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
Reference material for this article includes..GM Heritage Center…Corvette-America’s Star Spangled Sports Car: 1953-1982 by Karl Ludvigsen…Corvette: Images & Stories About America’s Great Sports Car by Harvey Goldstein.
1955 Chevy Corvette Collector Popularity and Values
All first generation Chevrolet Corvettes are popular collector cars, some a bit more than others. While the 1955 model year was not a great sales year, GM management stuck with the Corvette and the changes that began in 1955 turned the Corvette into a very popular American sports car.
Halfway through the 55 Corvette model year Chevy added a three speed manual which was a great match to the new Chevy small block V-8. Prior to that new 3 speed manual the 55 Corvette V-8 was mated to a Powerglide automatic transmission. The 3 speed manual was very much needed to make the Chevy Corvette a true American sports car.
The current general price range for collectors for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette is about $35,000 to about $135,000. The car’s condition, mileage, degree of restoration, originality and whether it;s a six or V-8 will influence the value.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)