While retaining the basic external looks and characteristics of the first of the tri-five Chevys, this 1955 Chevrolet 150 two door now features virtually all the options and creature comforts than one might expect to find in a modern high performance automobile. This custom 150 was an exercise in building a tastefully composed, steer-with-your-pinkie, tire smoking, show winning street machine. So where does one start?
Well, this build started with a rust free 1955 Chevrolet and some talented hands. The body was taken down to bare metal, steel rod gapped, and sanded smooth. The 3-stage Lamborghini Pearl Yellow and White highlight paint was applied and saw many coats of clear with lots of sanding in between to get that smooth and slick finish. All of the stainless and chrome work is show quality stuff. That’s triple plate chrome and high finish stainless. The result is a show quality car with laser straight sides and a mirror finish. Other custom body modifications include custom painted flush inner fenders, a painted frame, custom smoothed and notched firewall, cadmium plated hood hinges, a custom built stainless steel gas tank, and custom fabricated radiator support. In full sunlight the car looks stunning, and at dusk, the effect of the pearl paint and the warm evening light can only be described in a sentence with at least two expletives… e.g. "Holy living &$#@, that paint is &*%$**@ gorgeous!"
Confucius once said, "He who think big motor first, finish last." Anyone can throw a big motor in a car, but what’s the fun if the traction isn’t there? The wheel hop spills your milk shake and you can’t steer to miss an elephant. With over 550 supercharged horsepower, this car got everything it needed to handle like a dream – quality suspension and brake components. The front end has a custom power rack & pinion steering system with chrome tubular a-arms, adjustable coil overs, and powder coated steering linkage. Steering is super smooth and maneuverability is a cinch. The rear suspension is comprised of a fully housed 9" Currie rear end with a powder coated triangulated rear link and adjustable coil overs. The ’55 also has 4 wheel power disc brakes which are a must in bringing this beast to a halt. Drivability is top notch!
What about the motor? It’s a balanced and blue printed, fuel injected, 408 CI LS1 with a Kenne Bell twin-screw supercharger. Additional motor goodies include aluminum heads, aluminum intake manifold, anodized fuel rails, polished billet pulleys, powder coated valve covers, polished aluminum water pump, polished aluminum Street and Performance brackets, and a monster polished aluminum radiator with dual electric fans. Not only does this motor have gobs of horsepower and torque but it runs nice and cool for easy, worry-free cruising. Just turn the key go; the 4L80E four-speed transmission (electronically controlled) shifts out smooth and buttery as can be.
All of this performance is nice but the luxury components of the ’55 Custom get even better. When you open the doors of the ’55 the smell of the high-end leather is intoxicating. No expense was spared on the hides used in this interior. She features a two tone custom upholstered Glide front seat, custom two tone tan leather rear seat, custom tan velour headliner, custom tan velour, custom two tone tan leather door panels, custom tan leather door pulls, custom two tone tan leather side and kick panels, custom tan wool carpets and matching tan wool floor mats. Prior to installation of this gorgeous interior, extensive sound deadening material was used to achieve a quite, rattle free ride. To complement the leather interior there is more of that pearl yellow paint and lots of chrome accent pieces which really set off the interior. Let’s not forget the trunk, where there is more of that high end leather and fine wool carpeting.
The tunes in the ’55 are nothing short of amazing with over 5k spent on components alone. The master of ceremonies in this affair is the Kenwood Advanced Integration AV controller complete with graphic user interface. This touch screen unit is intuitive and makes selection and adjustments so easy. Complementing the head unit is Sirius/XM radio capability and a hi-speed adapter cord for your MP3 player. The system has two Rockford Fosgate amps – a 450 4 channel and a 1200 watt 2 channel. The 450 Watt amp powers a nice set of MB Quart component speakers and the big amp handles the two Fosgate 10" subs that are beautifully integrated into the build. Finally a Kenwood Garmin based navigation system with GPS antennae lead the way on your automotive tour de force.
Don’t get overwhelmed with all the details and crawl into the corner and weep uncontrollably. Take a deep breath, think of big puffy clouds, slowly read the ad one more time, and call us with any questions. As your automotive therapist, we can assure you that this car will relieve you of all that pent up anxiety.
