Hey it's FRIDAY! I'm upright, drinking my morning coffee and saying my prayers of thanks that I've been granted another day. Along with those prayers comes the usual request to keep me and my family safe, watch over my friends and help us all to work towards peace in our world.Â
Peace comes to me in enjoying the little things in life, like my diecast car collection and love for their big counterparts. For me, like everyone of you who loves cars, it's the simplest of pleasures as we endure a very complex and complicated world. On the weather front, spring is being teased a little each day, which affords my mind to wander in thought to summer old car shows.Â
Perhaps one of the most common and recognizable old cars at any show are '55, '56, and '57 Chevrolet's commonly referred to as "Tri-Fives". The NEW Chevy's for '55 were the most changed Chevrolet's to take place in its history to that point in time. The styling and look of the car was a radical departure from the previous models that were touted as "just a basic car". This radical departure boasted that only the inside door handles were items that could be interchanged with the previous years model as far as the body went.Â
It was bold in style and color, and offered a look that said, it wasn't "just a Chevy anymore", it was a NEW CAR. It came on the same wheelbase of 115 inches, with an overall length of 195.6 inches, while the wagons were 197 inches overall. Totally new sheet metal was used on an entirely new frame which was lighter in weight. Under the hood the 235.5 cubic inch six continued to be used. With standard transmission, it now developed 123 horsepower at 3800 rpm and with Powerglide, developed 136 horsepower at 4200 rpm. Overdrive was also offered for the first time as a factory option. It was available in either 6 or 8-cylinder versions. And the factory offered air-conditioning for the first time.Â
There was no doubt that Chevy was bordering on big car luxury in '55 and many people recognized it and were willing to make the change to have all the comforts of luxury in a less expensive car. With the '55 being a winner, the 1956 only received a well planned facelift. This made the '56 a highly sought after car when new, and it still is today among car collectors. The facelift would hold true for the 1957 model year as well and with many more body options. Ironically, of the three years, it's the '57 that is usually the sentimental favorite among the old car crowd. Most of todays car collecting, it's the 2-door hardtops, coupes, and convertibles that are the most sought after and cherished. But when families needed 4-door models Chevrolet offered them. Those 4-door sedans and 4-door hardtops are must rarer and certainly catch any car lovers eye when they are spotted.Â
With America's love affair for Chevy, remember it's the "Heartbeat of America", it's fairly safe to say that the "Tri-Fives are really Chevy's TRI-FAVES". Have a good weekend everyone, see you Monday!Â
Nice writeup George. Everyone has their favorite tri-five Chevy...mine is the 55 followed by the 56 and then the 57.
THANKS Bob! I actually like the look of the '56 the best, followed by the '55. The '57, though a nice looking car has lost appeal with me simply because it is just overexposed at most car shows. Seems there will usually be at least 3, 4 or more of them at every show. Â
My 1956 convertible. Stick, with something I believe Chevy called the power pack. Sold it in 1960. Another of my many great cars I should have kept.
Tri-Five Chevrolets...love them. My '55 looked like this...
Sadly, mine was stolen not long after I bought it. That was back in 1961-1962. When it was found it had been striped. Insurance company totaled it. I took a hit on that one.
Love the '55 best. The '56 had too much glitter on it, making the grill obtrusive and the tail light chrome over done as well as the side trim's down turn in the rear makes the '55 so clean & simply beautiful. The '57 I love the front but dislike the rear; SOO in my way of putting cars together by simply bolting on parts that fit, I would bolt a front clip of a '57 on a '55. Making the perfect '55 to '57 Chevy. I would also use the '57 dash which I much prefer over the 55 & 56 and that's the part you look at most.
My parents had all three years back at the time. My favourite was our blue and white 1955 BelAir with which I learned to drive. My younger brother's first car was a 1955 150. My wife had her first date with me in 1957, primarily because I had my father's 1957 Chevy wagon for that first date. I have to say that the 'tri-fives' were the most significant vehicles in my teen years.
Tri-Five Chevrolets...love them. My '55 looked like this...
Sadly, mine was stolen not long after I bought it. That was back in 1961-1962. When it was found it had been striped. Insurance company totaled it. I took a hit on that one.
Ah, life in Brooklyn.
What sad ending to a great car. Just reading it, I feel your pain. Â
 
