'55 Corvette Mysteries

[Michael H.]

A few recent posts have mentioned that the 1955 Corvette is somewhat of a mystery car whose secrets are still being uncovered. (I note that this observation was also made in the most recent edition of Corvette Magazine that featured a beautiful '55 copper vette equipped with the famed "bubble top.") In my research on the '55, I have come upon a few questions raised by '55 aficionados far more knowlegeable than I. First, there seems to be a controversy concerning whether the late '55's were uniformly equipped with a flexible (windshield wiper) washer bag versus the glass jar. The NCRS 1953-55 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide ("JM") states that cars after approximately #577 (out of 700) were equipped with the bag. However, I have spoken with a couple of very knowledgeable '55 experts who state that the bag may have been used only in the 3-speed (versus Powerglide) transmission cars (which everyone seems to agree were manufactured towards the end of the '55 production year.) Second, did the headlight bulbs used in the '55 Vette change over the course of the year? The JM merely states that "...early 12-volt lamps had metal backing and inner bulb," and is silent with respect to the "late" 12-volt lamps. Again, a couple of people "in the know" (one of whom I "know" will be reading this) has informed me that the late bulbs were glass-backed, rather than metal-backed (but had the same front face markings). Third, does the '55 Wonderbar have the well-known "CONELRAD" tuning marker dots at 640 and 1240? A recent article reproduced on this site stated that "The 55 car radio face plate has no conelrad marker or the engraved word "Wonderbar" sold as a 56 vette." Fourth, I have been told by someone who professes to have handled a lot of early '50's Delco rear shock absorbers that not all '55 Vettes came with the stone guard. However, the JM states that "Rear shocks have metal stone guard welded to lower portion, facing forward," and makes no distinction in this regard among the '53 to '55 cars, suggesting that all '55's had the stone guards. Does anyone have any info regarding any of these questions? Also, does anyone know whether the JM might be in the process of being revised as to these or other questions. I realize that the JM is necessarily a "work in progress" and is otherwise an absolute wealth of information ... so no criticism whatsoever intended here of the JM or the NCRS, which in my opinion does an incredible job providing assistance in the "correct" restoration of these cars. Thanks,

Mike H.

[Michael H.]

Re: '55 Corvette Mysteries

Sorry, I left another "mystery" out that I also wanted to ask about. Someone also told me that the fan shroud at the rear of the radiator on late '55 Corvettes is actually supposed to have the "cut out" at the top left where the upper radiator hose connects to the radiator. However, the JM states that "on the 1955 V-8 it should not have a cut out on the top left at the upper radiator connection..." Thanks again very much for any input.

Mike H.

[Duke W.]

Re: '55 Corvette Mysteries

Just a suggestion, but could posters make liberal use of paragraph breaks?

A full screen of single spaced yellow on black text is quite difficult to read.

Duke

[Roy B.]

Re: '55 Corvette Mysteries mike

This is my experience and mike your on your own! dont think your going to get much Response

The 55's I've had, had the rear shocks gravel shields

The 55 Radio has the "Conrad" located at 6 and 12

The 55 early #1 to #100 shielding had no cut out, BOB repro'ed them and then later made them with the cut out. 55 shielding had a 5 pieces set ,not the 4 pieces called out in the JG. #5 was a lower piece under the lower shielding having two holes using clutch head screws and #5 was screwed to the lower Radiator support having a "S" logo.

The 55 had three design headlight bulbs #1 to #100 was a 12V bulb tin back (silver color) with no 12V logo in the front glass but lower area (seal beam guide ) and on the upper area (top).
#100 to #400 still a tin back (black color) and now having the 12V logo in the front glass area.
#400 to #700 an all glass bulb ( not repairable) and still has the 12V logo in the front glass area

Other differences
#1 to #100? First design Dist #100 to #700 second design
#1 to # 100? First design Carb #100 to #700 second design
#1 to #400? first design vacuum Adv. #400 to #700 second design
#1 to #100 first design ign. Shielding had a metal tag riveted to the Dist. CAN or coil CAN or both.
#100 to #700 second design had a sticker only on the Dist. CAN

Other parts also but I cant think of them right now.

There were 15 Corvettes that are not known what body colors were painted or interior ( but one was gray) I don't like saying this but there are so few 55's that the interest of changing the JG will always be lacking. If you have a 55 and are going for a top flight follow the JG but remember little is known of the 55 AND early 56 Corvette.

I have a data base of 45 owner Corvette from around the world , we're a small world of 55 owners so it's up to us to come to a consensus to restore and make our 55's original not the JG.

[Dave Suesz]

A few answers...

"First, there seems to be a controversy concerning whether the late '55's were uniformly equipped with a flexible (windshield wiper) washer bag versus the glass jar. The NCRS 1953-55 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide ("JM") states that cars after approximately #577 (out of 700) were equipped with the bag. However, I have spoken with a couple of very knowledgeable '55 experts who state that the bag may have been used only in the 3-speed (versus Powerglide) transmission cars (which everyone seems to agree were manufactured towards the end of the '55 production year.)"

-I can tell you that #518 has a jar and auto trans.

"Second, did the headlight bulbs used in the '55 Vette change over the course of the year? The JM merely states that "...early 12-volt lamps had metal backing and inner bulb," and is silent with respect to the "late" 12-volt lamps. Again, a couple of people "in the know" (one of whom I "know" will be reading this) has informed me that the late bulbs were glass-backed, rather than metal-backed (but had the same front face markings)."

-Roy covers this in greater detail that I could. I have an address somwhere for a guy who sells used original bulbs, but at about $100+/pair for the later glass version, I'll stick with the "wrong but almost old enough" T3's I scrounged in a junkyard a while back."

"Third, does the '55 Wonderbar have the well-known "CONELRAD" tuning marker dots at 640 and 1240? A recent article reproduced on this site stated that "The 55 car radio face plate has no conelrad marker or the engraved word "Wonderbar" sold as a 56 vette."

-518 has the dots.

"Fourth, I have been told by someone who professes to have handled a lot of early '50's Delco rear shock absorbers that not all '55 Vettes came with the stone guard. However, the JM states that "Rear shocks have metal stone guard welded to lower portion, facing forward," and makes no distinction in this regard among the '53 to '55 cars, suggesting that all '55's had the stone guards."

-I am told that the OE shocks with gravel shields persisted for several years after '55. I think the service replacements did not have them.

"Fifth, someone also told me that the fan shroud at the rear of the radiator on late '55 Corvettes is actually supposed to have the "cut out" at the top left where the upper radiator hose connects to the radiator. However, the JM states that "on the 1955 V-8 it should not have a cut out on the top left at the upper radiator connection..."

-518 has the cutout. However, it does not and never has had the 5th piece Roy describes. The attaching holes are there, but so cleanly it is apparent the piece was never installed. Probably left out to save money or by line worker not bothering to install, who knows?

BTW, 518 also has a green canvas top, although I'm told they switched to vinyl late in the year it musta been very late. Also, though I've read the edging on the canvas tops was not vinyl, this has vinyl edging. It's also green on the inside and outside, and is proving to be a real pain to find replacement material.

[Don S.]

Re: A few answers...

#547 has a bag in the washer system and a lever type washer pedal. It may or may not have come with the car.

Such a quandry--I think I will paint it orange with white and orange seats and forget all about the original stuff.

[Dave Suesz]

Just out of curiosity...

what trans does 547 have?

[Michael H.]

Re: Thank you all for responding. *NM*

[Don S.]

Re: Just out of curiosity...

Dave--

automatic transmission.