When a car company produces a model that seems to have everything — styling, performance, durability — it is immediately recognized as something special.
Chevrolet achieved this with its 1955 model. New-car buyers flocked to it and old-car enthusiasts would eventually reward it with the popularity that made it a modern classic.
Chevrolet production began more than 100 years ago in 1911, and after escaping from the Ford Model T’s all-conquering shadow, became North America’s most popular nameplate. It earned this reputation by being durable, dependable and easy and economical to repair. This kept its residual value up at trade-in time.
That somewhat staid image all changed in 1955. To those solid virtues, Chevrolet added the winning combination of outstanding styling and scintillating performance.
Engineering the all-new 1955 Chevrolet began in June 1952 under the direction of Chevrolet chief engineer Edward Cole. Styling was guided by GM’s legendary styling chief Harley Earl.
In addition to the traditional overhead-valve, “Blue Flame” inline six, the new Chevrolet offered an overhead-valve V-8 engine, its first V-8 since 1917-18. Cole earned his V-8 credentials with Cadillac early in his engineering career. V-type engines had been a Cadillac hallmark since 1915, and Cole was Cadillac’s chief engineer when it introduced the trend-setting 1949 short-stroke, overhead-valve V-8.
For the new Chevrolet V-8, Cole and crew applied the latest in engine design. The displacement of 4.3 litres was achieved with an over-square bore and stroke of 95.25 by 76.2 millimetres.
A sturdy forged steel crankshaft ran in five main bearings, and light, aluminum, skirtless “slipper” type pistons contributed to free revving. Valve rockers pivoted on ball studs rather than the traditional rocker shaft.
Careful attention was paid to weight control by using compact design and thin-wall casting techniques. The new V-8 weighed only 243 kilograms, 18 kg less than the Chevrolet six and 23 kg lighter than Ford’s 4.5-litre V-8.
The compact Chevrolet V-8 developed 162 horsepower in standard form and was available in any Chevrolet. An optional 180-horsepower Power Pack version included a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts.
This Chevy “small block” engine, as it became known, would prove to be an extremely durable design. Displacement rose to 4.6 litres in 1957, and would later undergo increases to 5.4 litres and 5.7. It became the performance engine of choice and a GM stalwart. Its derivative is still with us in the Corvette and Cadillac.
Other technical developments for 1955 included a 12-volt electrical system (up from six-volt), ball-joint front suspension replacing kingpins and an open Hotchkiss driveshaft instead of Chevrolet’s long used torque-tube.
In addition to the sensational new engine, Chevrolet got equally sensational styling. Dubbed the “Motoramic” Chevrolet it featured a vertical-pillar wraparound windshield, hooded headlamps, forward-canted egg-crate grille and raised taillights that evoked images of Cadillac. It was a bold and beautifully integrated design.
The 1955 Chevrolet came in three series: One-Fifty, Two-Ten and Bel Air, with a full range of body types. In addition to regular station wagons, Chevrolet offered the specialty two-door Nomad wagon. It was expensive and sold in small numbers, but would become one of those automotive rarities: a collectible station wagon.
Although the new styling made it look longer, lower and wider, the ’55 Chev’s dimensions were little changed from 1954. Its 2,921-mm wheelbase was the same, and the 4,953-mm length was slightly less. A flatter roof profile made it 63 mm lower.
But the ’55 Chevrolet was more than just a glamorous body with a new engine, it was also a real performer. Road & Track tested one with the 180-horsepower Power Pack V-8 and three-speed-plus-overdrive transmission. The overdrive gave it a low 4.11:1 rear axle (the overall ratio in overdrive was 2.88:1), which provided outstanding acceleration.
R & T recorded a zero-to-97 km/h time in a quick-for-1955 9.7 seconds for the 1,538-kg two-door sedan. Top speed was 168 km/h, achieved in high gear rather than overdrive.
The ’55 Chevy brought scorching performance to the low-priced field, and not surprisingly was chosen to pace the 1955 Indy 500. Chevrolet advertised it as “The Hot One.”
This wonderful combination of engineering, styling and performance was a hit with customers. The 1955 Chevrolet outsold the ’54 by 1.64 million to 1.15 million, helping push the North American auto industry to its highest sales to that date. The 1955 Chevrolet and derivative 1956 and ’57 models are now very popular collectibles.