No car is perhaps more recognizable as an example of classic Chevrolet automotive engineering than the Bel Air. And perhaps no models are more popular than the 1955, 1956 and 1957. Known as the “Tri Five,” these classic cars continue to be well-represented at classic car shows throughout the United States. When he was only 15 years old, Rick Laudenklos came upon a 1955 Chevy Bel Air. But for $700, it may as well have been a million dollars to a kid without an income. Though he did everything in his power, the car slipped out of his hands. His father told him it wasn’t worth the price anyway, and Laudenklos smiles when he thinks about the nearly $50,000 he has sunk into the ’55 Bel Air he parks in his garage these days and how he used to tease his dad about how much of a difference the investment was.
| Specs Box |
| » Engine: 468 big block |
| » Performance: turbo 400 transmission, single carburetor, big cam, custom headers, polished brake lines, aftermarket fuel lines, Hurst quarter stick shifter, trans break, wheelie bar |
| » Wheels: Weld Racing wheels 5 x 15 (front) 14 x 15 (rear) |
| » Exterior: Full fiberglass front end with reverse hood latches, all original trim parts, |
| » Interior: custom roll cage, original clock, custom carpeted interior, 3A Racing seats, Autometer gauges, removable steering wheel |
Laudenklos found his 1955 two-door hardtop Bel Air in a garage in Pennsylvania where it sat for 18 years. Despite the car being completely stripped, the body was pretty much intact and no major rust damage was found. Wasting no time, he coughed up the money and took the car home, where he began a two-year project of restoring it and hunting for hard-to-find pieces. Unlike the ’57, the ’55 and ’56 lacked aftermarket product support.
“I had to go to a flea market in Carlisle, Pa., to find most of the trim pieces. I wanted to keep the stainless steel original,” said Laudenklos. “The hardest things to find were the rear quarter trim.”
On one occasion, Laudenklos walked out of the flea market with only a small grocery bag containing a few crests and emblems, that cost $1,200.
The first major project was to fit the fiberglass front end. Once the tree frame was corrected underneath the vehicle, Laudenklos had to shave and block the hood for proper fit. The next project was to drop in a Chevrolet 468 Big-Block engine, which produces about 700 horsepower. Laudenklos sent his car to Bob Noble at Advanced Automotive Concepts, who did all the aluminum work to support the tubbing of the back and custom-crafted a roll cage. Noble also customized headers that provided enough ground clearance where it was lacking and welded the four-link setup.
Trouble came when Laudenklos collided head-on with a deer in 2003. While the engine bay sustained only minor damage, the entire front end would be replaced and the car repainted.
Laudenklos did most of the interior work himself, carpeting the side panels and installing the 3A Racing seats with four-point harnesses. A Turbo 400 transmission by Richmond Racing was included, and the dash was fitted with an original clock and aftermarket radio mimicking the look of the original one. Laudenklos plans to have the interior swapped out once more, covering the entire inside in charcoal tweed.
What do you drive? A 1955 Chevrolet two-door hardtop Bel Air.
Why do you drive it? It’s fun to drive. I’ve always liked them and it was the best year out of the Tri-Fives. At least it’s my favorite year.
What makes this car so special? I like the bodylines. The car when it was built was pretty fast back then. Everybody says it looks like a shoebox on wheels.
What is your most memorable driving experience? A lot of the races I did on the street.
What was the first vehicle you owned? A 1967 RS Camaro. I was 16 years old and didn’t have a lot of money.
What music are you currently listening to in your car? I have a radio but you can’t hear it. About the only time you can hear it is when you’re idling at a traffic light.
And your first ticket? What was it for? In the Camaro; it was for racing. I’ve never had one in the Bel Air.
Got a custom car you want to show off? E-mail [email protected].
