55 Chevy drag car

[T frog]

So I've been looking for a 55 Chevy for quite some time. I came across what looked like a solid car. The seller was a nice guy but didn't have much as far as details. He picked up the car mainly for the body and planned to part it out. He had another nice 55 and a C10. He did say the original owner drag raced the car and was a former employee of Milodon. I know there's lots of southern California car guys on here. If you are familiar with this car or have any info on it let me know. It has a BB, th400 trans. 9" rear end, disc brakes all around. Body has been off the frame and the frame is powder coated. We picked it up because it was such a solid car. Thanks for the help!

 

[T frog]

More pics

 

[yz450mm]

Any interest in a 56 sedan delivery, full stock restoration?

 

[zhandfull]

Looks like a nice 55! I’d drive it just like that.

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

That is a nice little hot rod congrats! 55 is my favorite of the three...

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Man, that is perfect the way it is! Maybe a nice nitrous setup and some suspension mods pending on how it performs on the track, but that is something I would want to own!

 

[bonesfab]

Cool piece there. I texted a picture to a buddy who used to work at milodon. I will let you know what he says.

 

[Wedgy]

Love the tri 5's. Nice '55! Very cool find.
Used to see those cars on the street.

Escondido HS, 69-'74

Rod had a 55 sedan, and a '56 wagon.
Pat had a '57 4door. My 2 best men, because Pat was in jail..

 

[bonesfab]

Well it was my buddy's car. Trying to find out more info.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Nice find, that will be a fun project!

My buddy stopped by yesterday to drop off some parts in his 55.......
6-71 blown solid roller 406, Super-cased "M23" 4 speed.
Such a bitchin 55!



"Now if you see this Milner, you tell him I'm looking for him, huh?
Tell him I aim to blow his ass right off the road...."

 

[bonesfab]

So the engine is a 440ci. Old knife edge Hank the crank, Good rods. full manual th400. It does have a salvage title. It had a two third members. 4.56 with a spool and 3.89 with a locker 35 spline axles he told me. He said the engine is a pretty stout piece.

 

[T frog]

Well it was my buddy's car. Trying to find out more info.

That's so cool, I'd like to find out as much info as possible. If it's ok, I'd really like to get in touch with him. I can PM my info

 

[T frog]

So the engine is a 440ci. Old knife edge Hank the crank, Good rods. full manual th400. It does have a salvage title. It had a two third members. 4.56 with a spool and 3.89 with a locker 35 spline axles he told me. He said the engine is a pretty stout piece.

I'm working on getting it titled and registered in NV.

 

[AZLineman]

Love it, the black one above too. I really want to build a 55 210 or business coupe Gasser with uncut rear quarters.

 

[T frog]

So the engine is a 440ci. Old knife edge Hank the crank, Good rods. full manual th400. It does have a salvage title. It had a two third members. 4.56 with a spool and 3.89 with a locker 35 spline axles he told me. He said the engine is a pretty stout piece.

Could you get me some info on the cam and valve train. I'm wondering if it's a solid lifter or hydraulic or maybe solid roller? Engine revs up super quick. I was planning on making it a cruiser so some info on that would be good. Also wondering how much stall the converter has. That you so much, crazy RD crew for the save!

 

[bonesfab]

That's so cool, I'd like to find out as much info as possible. If it's ok, I'd really like to get in touch with him. I can PM my info

Get me your info and I will forward it to him. He sold it a couple of years ago but it doesn't appear much has changed on it from what he was describing to me.

 

[T frog]

If he has any pics of it in action that would be great. The guy I picked it up from said it could carry the front wheels. That would be cool to see.

 

[sintax]

Could you get me some info on the cam and valve train. I'm wondering if it's a solid lifter or hydraulic or maybe solid roller? Engine revs up super quick. I was planning on making it a cruiser so some info on that would be good. Also wondering how much stall the converter has. That you so much, crazy RD crew for the save!

if plans change, please reach out, i've be very interested in the car

i've been looking for a 55 for a few years, but their all either rusted shit boxes, or people are WAY too proud of what they got.

 

[jesco]

CONGRATS!!! 55 has always been my favorite Tri5, picked this up few years ago. I need to get some better pics, these are from the add when I bought it.

 

[MK1MOD0]

So I've been looking for a 55 Chevy for quite some time. I came across what looked like a solid car. The seller was a nice guy but didn't have much as far as details. He picked up the car mainly for the body and planned to part it out. He had another nice 55 and a C10. He did say the original owner drag raced the car and was a former employee of Milodon. I know there's lots of southern California car guys on here. If you are familiar with this car or have any info on it let me know. It has a BB, th400 trans. 9" rear end, disc brakes all around. Body has been off the frame and the frame is powder coated. We picked it up because it was such a solid car. Thanks for the help!

That would make a perfect gasser. 55’s are my favorite gasser for sure! Just too cool !

with or without cut rear wheel wells ...

 

[T frog]

CONGRATS!!! 55 has always been my favorite Tri5, picked this up few years ago. I need to get some better pics, these are from the add when I bought it.

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That's a gorgeous 55!

 

[X Hoser]

CONGRATS!!! 55 has always been my favorite Tri5, picked this up few years ago. I need to get some better pics, these are from the add when I bought it.

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That’s a beautiful car! My colors and all. (Tennessee Orange ). If you ever put it up for sale please let me know.

 

[Mcob25rg]

I agree, run it like it is. I’ll take 2nds if you ever want it gone

 

[Bob65olds]

The 55-57 Chevys have been on my favorite list since i watched my dad and a buddy take a saws all to the rear fenders to fit big SlIckes! I wouldn’t think of doing that now.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

Any interest in a 56 sedan delivery, full stock restoration?

Oooooo, 56 was the best year in my opinion

 

[Husqy510]

Awesome car! I wouldn't change a thing!

I'm just starting a build on this 55 150. Updating chassis and powertrain, but the patina will stay the same.

 

[4Waters]

My buddies 56

What's going in it

 

[done]

My race car , Blown 509...33X22 rear MT tires,,4-link, coils all around ,Turbo 400, no valve body.....Car is frightening !

 

[done]

 

[bonesfab]

My buddies 56

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What's going in it

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Wasn’t that car owned by an old tool man?

 

[4Waters]

Wasn’t that car owned by an old tool man?

My buddy sold it to Harvey years ago, when Harvey passed away his wife sold it back to my buddy. While Harvey owned it I talked him into having "Nuke" Greg take the leaf springs out and ladder bar it.

 

[T frog]

My race car , Blown 509...33X22 rear MT tires,,4-link, coils all around ,Turbo 400, no valve body.....Car is frightening ! View attachment 1246392 View attachment 1246393 View attachment 1246394

That's a great looking 55

 

[Deangang]

One I’ve been working on for years and one I’ve been driving since junior high .

 

[T frog]

Wanted to do a quick update on the 55. With the help of James @bonesfab I was able to get in touch and meet with the guy who originally built the car. My son and I met with him at SEMA, he currently works for Edelbrock. He had originally owned the car for almost 40 years and built it for the strip. He told me when he got the car in the early 80's it was already a drag car and hadn't been registered since the 60's. He did quite a bit of work on it. One of the things we've found out was that he didn't do anything half assed. As James mentioned earlier the big block is built. It's a bored and stroked 427 with great internals. Brodix heads big custom grind cam and built to rev. The shift light is set at 7500 rpm. The transmission is a TH400 Hughes with all the best parts and a 4500 stall converter. The rear end is a 9" with 35 spline axles, 3.89 gears and a locker. At first I had plans to dial everything back back to make it more of a cruiser but not anymore. I plan to keep it the way it is and just have fun.

 

[T frog]

I'm gearing up to build a 33 x 50 shop. After that's done I'll probably have interior done. I like the kits that Ciadella in Arizona puts together. It will be black and white Del ray.

 

[T frog]

When @old rigger posted his 55 update I wanted to follow-up. His car is so cool.

 

[TrollerDave]

Wanted to do a quick update on the 55. With the help of James @bonesfab I was able to get in touch and meet with the guy who originally built the car. My son and I met with him at SEMA, he currently works for Edelbrock. He had originally owned the car for almost 40 years and built it for the strip. He told me when he got the car in the early 80's it was already a drag car and hadn't been registered since the 60's. He did quite a bit of work on it. One of the things we've found out was that he didn't do anything half assed. As James mentioned earlier the big block is built. It's a bored and stroked 427 with great internals. Brodix heads big custom grind cam and built to rev. The shift light is set at 7500 rpm. The transmission is a TH400 Hughes with all the best parts and a 4500 stall converter. The rear end is a 9" with 35 spline axles, 3.89 gears and a locker. At first I had plans to dial everything back back to make it more of a cruiser but not anymore. I plan to keep it the way it is and just have fun.

Great find. I love the patina, primered, pieced together Frankenstein look. It has a great stance. Please keep us updated.

 

[Shlbyntro]

howbout some details on the Fox??

 

[sintax]

Def put me in line if you ever want to sell plz!

 

[Sharp Shooter]

A boating friend's house in La Verne that some here will recognize. I thought it was appropriate for this fine thread!

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[Sawtooth]

A boating friend's house in La Verne that some here will recognize in here. I thought it was appropriate for this fine thread!


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Bubby’s red and black tri 5’s, Kristy’s 34 roadster and Deon’s 57, Nice hardware !

 

[wzuber]

CONGRATS!!! 55 has always been my favorite Tri5, picked this up few years ago. I need to get some better pics, these are from the add when I bought it.

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wow..absolutely beautiful car. What's the current market value on a gem like this? I too have always preferred the 55 over the later models.

 

[4Waters]

wow..absolutely beautiful car. What's the current market value on a gem like this? I too have always preferred the 55 over the later models.

I've always liked the 56 best, I felt the 55 was too plain in the front and the 57 had way too much going on. The 56 was right in the middle.

 

[T frog]

howbout some details on the Fox??

 

[4Waters]

I wish I still had my 91 notch

 

[SnoC653]

Sweet car. Are you planning on putting a cage of any kind in it? I'm sneaking into the 50's chevys with a 51 Styleline. I am just hesitant to put the 505 in it, without cage or at least a roll bar setup and some frame strengthening. Is the frame on your 55 boxed? The 50's cars are the hot rods I loved as a kid. At least up to the point of the muscle cars and factory hp wars.

 

[Husqy510]

I'm having a shop install new Factory floor and firewall. Then I will install a 10-point cage. The factory frame is boxed and it has been narrowed, but I will be adding additional reinforcement

 

[jetboatperformance]

A boating friend's house in La Verne that some here will recognize. I thought it was appropriate for this fine thread!


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The Black Belair is to die for My HS car was the same in Root beer Brown Metallic , Miss all my hot rods !

 

[got wood]

One I’ve been working on for years and one I’ve been driving since junior high .
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Good stuff Darren

 

[jesco]

wow..absolutely beautiful car. What's the current market value on a gem like this? I too have always preferred the 55 over the later models.

Thanks you. Im not really sur what the market is right now on Tri5s, I should pay more attention to it. Hot rods are hot one month, cold the next. Id like to think its a $70k car, but would have to find the right guy I guess. I always say its only worth whats somebody's willing to pay.. hahaha. The guy that built this car ran a NASCAR team, he would have his mechanics build him hot rods in the off season, put a for sale sign in the window once it was done. This is full frame off, CA car with original steel, all stainless hardware, 350SBC with a cam, 700R4 trans, Ford 9", roughly 3500 miles on it since it was built... Its a fun car to drive, I get a lot of honks and "" when I do drive it.