VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 1955 Chevy Bel Air Curb Weight

I work for a Police Department in Florida, and recently my Dept. purchased a 4 door 1955 Chevy Bel Air. I was tasked to pick the car up and drive it from Mineral Wells, WV. to Shalimar, Fl. about 1000 miles in a very nice LOOKING vintage car. First the rear bearing went out, 2 day lay over in WV. Then in Ky outside of Morehead breaks went out. Needless to say not a fun time. I have looked all over the web for the curb weight of the car (or a pretty close guess-tamation)since I have now been tasked to repeat the trip but with a truck and trailer. Just want to make sure our truck will safely tow it. Any help would be GREAT, thanks a bunch

Looking at the specifications for all 4 door models, the curb weight average is approximately
3400 pounds....Use the heavy duty rear axle bearing. The originals were troublesome.

By the time my new 1955 had 20,000 miles on it both axle bearing were replaced.

Thanks a bunch guys, I was WAY OFF!!!! Any suggestions for switching out the rear end to something a little less troublesome?

as long as you use the HD version of the bearing you will not have any problems with the rear axles. My last '55 driver had close to 200,000 mile on the original rear with zero issues.

Thanks bowtie, we will get those switched out ASAP.

comcam25,

so what is your department planning to do with the car?..


epi

Oh Oh

O Kepi

Curiousity killed the cat!!!

Bill.

bill,

well, don't you want to know why a florida police department would purchase a '55 four-door bel air?..


epi

Why not Kepi? Maybe a parade car or one for their Police Museum?

yes, macky, I could guess...

but, I wanted to hear from comcam25...


epi

Yes, that would be nice.

Sorry guys I have been working late nights. Well the plan was for a 55-57 vehicle to return it to the black and white type patrol car, with modern updates, in car computer, all LEDlights, up date it as faras we could especially all the safty aspects. The car is a 55 bel air it is red and white, all interior white redleather. SOOOO now we are doing over to keep the theme of the car and making into a red, white, blue police car. I am giving up my 2005 crown vic, fully loaded and unmarked, to drive a 1955 completely marked cruiser, and I have not been able to beat the smile off my face. It will be used as a traffic enforcement vehicle, MADD, or DARE car, pretty much right now it is up in the air. Our mechanic at Gator Body specializes in the 50's cars so he will be updating the engine, everything to make sure no new rice rockets will be able to out run the vehicle. It should bring alot of smiles to peoples faces and be a wonderfull PR type of auto.If any one is interested in seeing it and the plans we have for graffics, shoot me an email,COMCAM25@aol.com Thanks,
Sam

Sam,

Sounds like a great "plan" for the '55.

It seems like if there's an 'old' police option (is that C-41 ??) Caprice around that engine, trans, rear end would be great to use to update the '55 running gear.

From what I heard from the enforcement guys out here in the Portland, OR area they sure missed the Chev performance when they got the Crown Vics. Maybe you feel the same.

Please keep us posted on progress of "modifying" the '55 Bel Air.

Bill.

More for Sam ..........

Sam:

Instead of us writing you one at a time and taking up a lot of your time, why don't you email that info to "Big Bob" here in Chevy Chat and he can post it for all of us to see. Here's his email address. bigbob@rdgsons.com

I'm sure I'm not the only one that's excited about this project you guys are working on down there in FLA.

Thanks for sending the info to Big Bob and good luck on the project!!!

Bill.

I'm excited to see the project. I will post for others to see.

There ya go Sam.

Big Bob is offering to post the info and pix for ya!!!

Note that he's "excited." Altho from what I hear, Big Bob is easily "excited!!"

Te - He !!!

Bill.

sam,

sounds great...thanks for the update...


epi

Here are the first pictures that comcam25 sent.

Hey Sam,

Thanks to Big Bob we get a good look at the "new" 55 Bel Air. Obviously "not quite" stock; but it looks pretty neat.

It appears there's been some 'upgrades' under the hood already. Isn't that an A/C compressor?? Not bad.

It seems like all of our 'DARE' cars out in this area are black. So, that might not 'work.'

But a red, white and blue color scheme could look cool and be real patriotic also.

Have fun. And, keep us posted on the progress.

Bill.

Thanks for posting Bill, we are shopping around for Dare, or MADD, or we might just our own thing, being in a LARGE military town I feel the red white and blue would get by alright. Thanks for all the info guys!!!!!!