Not only was the car longer, lower and wider, it offered a purity of style remarkably free of the chrome-laden excesses that had become the norm on American cars. This was a landmark car as it marked the first year of the 265-c.i.d. OHV “Turbo-Fire” V-8 engine that made 162 h.p. in base form or 180 h.p., as in this car,with the “Power Pack” option which boasted a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. A ’55 Chevy paced the Indianapolis 500 and the new “small-block” V-8 quickly became the darling of hot rodders and racers alike.

Chevrolet set what was then an all-time production record for convertibles with 42,278 top-of-the-line Bel Air models for 1955; more than double the production of 1954. America loved the two-tone exteriors that were color-keyed to match the two-tone vinyl interiors. In all, Chevrolet sold over 1.7 million cars for 1955, including 773,238 Bel Airs, attesting to the wild popularity of the new model. General Motors produced its 50 millionth car during the 1955 model year, a Bel Air Sport Coupe on November 23, 1954.