The 1955, 1956, 1957 Chevy

 

 A Favorite Classic: You can find them built either as a

MUSCLE CAR, with small block or big block engines, with racing CAMS, dual Carburetors, fuel injection, BLOWERS, SUPERCHARGERS, 4 speed stick transmissions,

 or STOCK, in pristine condition.

For 1955, Chevrolet's full-size model received all new styling and the 55 Chevys gained a V8 engine option. The new 265 cu in  V8 was a modern, overhead valve, high compression, long stroke design that was so good that it remained in production in various forms, for many decades. The base V8 had a two-barrel carburetor and was rated at 162 hp, and the "Power Pack" option added a four-barrel carburetor and other upgrades yielding 180 bhp. Later in the year, a "Super Power Pack" option added high-compression and 15 bhp.

In 1956 single housings incorporated the taillight, stoplight, and backup light, and the left one held the gas filler - an idea popularized by Cadillac. Among the seven 1956 Bel Air models was a new Sport Sedan, a pillarless four-door hardtop. Production exceeded 103,000, compared to 128,000 two-door hardtops. Shapely two-door Nomad wagons topped the price chart at $2,608. Only 7,886 were built. The least costly Bel Air, at $2,025, was the two-door sedan.

In 1957 engine displacement grew to 283 cu in and with the "Super Turbo Fire V8" option produced 283 hp with the help of continuous (closed loop) mechanical fuel injection. These so-called "fuelie" cars are quite rare, since most Bel Airs were fitted with carburetion. The 1957 Bel Air is among the most recognizable American cars of all time; well-maintained examples, especially Sport Coupes and Convertibles are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. They are roomy, fuel-efficient, with tastefully restrained, period use of tail fins and chrome.

 

From 1955–57, production of the two-door Nomad station wagon was assigned to the Bel Air series. Prior to becoming a regular production model, the Nomad first appeared as a Corvette-based concept vehicle in 1954.

 The Chevrolet small-block engine is a series of automobile V8 engines built by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors using the same basic small (for a V8) engine block. Retroactively referred to as the "Generation I" small-block, it is distinct from subsequent "Generation II" LT and "Generation III" LS engines.

Production of the original small-block began in 1955 with a displacement of 265 cu in, growing incrementally over time until reaching 400 cu in in 1970. Several intermediate displacements appeared over the years, such as the 283 cu in that was available with mechanical fuel injection, the 327 cu in, as well as the numerous 350 cu in versions. Introduced as a performance engine in 1967, the 350 went on to be employed in both high- and low-output variants across the entire Chevrolet product line.

The first big-block Chevy V-8 was introduced in 1958 as an optional alternative to the small-block engine. It was not related in any way to its classic predecessor, being new from the ground up. Neither has it been regarded as one of the highlights in Chevy engine history. The 348 was the largest and most powerful Chevrolet engine you could buy in 1958-61, and deserves at least a brief mention.

As the 265/283 was first known as "Turbo-Fire," the 348 was dubbed "Turbo-Thrust," but the factory knew it better as the "type W." This designation stemmed from the characteristic shape on the outside edge of the rocker covers, something that was much less unique as we moved into the 60s. The "W" was intended for the new generation of a much larger and heavier Chevrolets born in 1958 that blossomed into the full-blown 119-inch-wheelbase cruisers of 1959.

The 1958 version of the Turbo-Thrust 348 V-8 started as a truck engine, and it formed the basis of the legendary 409, introduced in mid-1961.

With a bore and a stroke of 4.125 x 3.25 inches and 9.5:1 compression ratio, the 348 developed 250 bhp at 4000 rpm and 355 pounds-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. Combustion chambers were cylindrical wedges formed by flat-bottom heads that rested against the block faces at a 16 degree angle. The cast-aluminum pistons were machined with 16-degree dual-sloping upper surfaces. Hydraulic valve lifters were used, as they were in the small-block V-8s (except fuel injected units). "Because of the lack of restrictions to passage of the fuel/air mixture in the heads and because half of the piston is closer to the head than the other half, turbulence is tremendous and volumetric efficiency should be excellent," observed Motor Trend. The "W" came standard with dual exhausts and four-barrel carburetor, but was not offered with fuel injection - something Chevy had had problems with, and was generally encouraging only for Corvettes.

The 348's highest stage of development appeared for 1960 - two four-barrel carburetors good for a rated 355 horsepower. It continued in this form for the 1961 model year before disappearing in favor of the 409.

The 348 should be remembered not as a mighty powerhouse, but as a smooth and reliable big-block for the new, larger Impala. Its 10-second 0-60 mph capability was about the norm for 1958 - hardly the kick-in-the-back acceleration provided by the FI or dual-quad 283s. Significantly, Chevrolet offered very little hop-up equipment for the "W" for the simple reason that it never was really intended as a high-performance mill. In 1958, of course, Chevrolet was outwardly abiding by the Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA) decision to "discourage" (or at least not advertise) racing, and the 348 fit right in with the Division's public posture. Performance enthusiasts would have to be content with the hotter versions of the 283 through 1961. Happily, these powered some of the most memorable of the "performance" Chevys.

Chevrolet Small-Block V8 engine

Production: 1955–2002

Successors: GM LT engine, GM LS

engine

Type: small-block V8

265

Production: 1954–1957

Displacement: 265 cu in

Power: 162 hp - 240 hp

Bore and Stroke:

3.750 in / 3.00 in

283

Production: 1957–1967

Displacement: 283 cu in

Power: 220 hp - 315 hp

Bore and Stroke:

3.875 in / 3.00 in

327

Production: 1962–1969

Displacement: 327 cu in

Power: 250 hp - 375 hp

Bore and Stroke:

4.000 in / 3.25 in

350

Production: 1967–

Displacement: 350 cu in

Power: 145 hp - 370 hp

Bore and Stroke:

4.000 in / 3.48 in

302

Production: 1967–1969

Displacement: 302 cu in

Power: 290 hp

Bore and Stroke:

4.000 in / 3.00 in

1955 Chevrolet 235 cu in, Inline 6 Engine Specs

Valve Location: In head

Bore and Stroke: 3.5625 x 3.9375

Piston displacement, Cubic Inches: 235

Compression ratio: 7.5

Maximum Brake Horsepower: Standard Trans: 123 @ 3800 RPM

Maximum Torque Lbs.Ft. @ RPM: Standard Trans: 207 @ 2000

A Unique 1955 Chevy