Through the years
1955 Chevrolet's first A/C system is a $565 option, pedals suspended rather than floor-mounted, first Chevy with factory-optional O/D manual, only year for driver-side-mounted gas-filler door and Bow Tie motif on dashboard brightwork. Total 1955 production: 1,775,952.
1956 Sport Sedan four-door pillarless hardtop introduced for Two-Ten and Bel Air. Hydraulic lifters standard on base V-8 with manual trans, V-8 engine blocks get integral oil-filter boss, rear leaf springs two inches farther outboard for better roll control, wheel centers welded to hoops, final year for dual-hump dashboard. Total 1956 production: 1,623,376.
1957 Front frame extensions boxed to support front bumper, heater and A/C air from vents above headlamps, battery moved to radiator support, 14-inch wheels replace 15-inchers, 283 arrives, 265 V-8 only with manual trans, "ram's horn" exhaust manifolds on all V-8s, new speedo gains 10 mph to 120 mph max. Total 1957 production: 1,555,316.
Expect to pay
1955-1957 2-Dr Sedan/4-Dr Sedan: $8K-$20K/$4K-$10K1955-1957 2-Dr Hardtop/4-Dr Hardtop: $9K-$25K/$5K-$12K1955-1957 2-Dr Wagon/4-Dr Wagon: $2K-$8K/$6K-$15K1955-1957 2-Dr Nomad Wagon: $20K-$60K1955-1957 Convertible: $15K-$60K1957 Any Fuelie: $20K-$80K
Special Models
1955-1957 Nomad
Escaping the curse of the long roof, sexy two-door Nomad wagons stand apart from ordinary tri-five station-wagon models for their distinctive "floating" roof and massive, wraparound rear side glass, design elements lifted directly from the 1954 Corvette-bred Waldorf Nomad, the smash hit of the 1954 GM Motorama show season. Optional V-8 power (the Blue Flame six was standard though few were fitted), limited production, and a host of special interior and exterior trim items further bolster Nomad's status as a highly desirable tri-five.
1956-1957 El Morocco
Resembling a baby Eldorado, El Morocco was the brainchild of Reuben Allender, a Detroit surplus fabric dealer/entrepreneur. Starting with factory-fresh Bel Airs, the crew at R. Allender & Company added fiberglass (1956) or metal (1957) tailfins, distinctive "Dagmar" front-bumper bullets, and other Caddy-aspiring custom touches. Though Allender anticipated building up to 20 per day, the El Morocco cost was built (about 20 in 1956 and about 16 in 1957) to be included in any discussion of special tri-five Chevys.
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