Chevrolet - but not Corvette - 1955

[Loren L.]

One of the "legends" surrounding Ed Cole and his minions was that when the 1955 Chevrolet appeared, the only things carried over from 1954
were the 6 cylinder (for those who did not know what they were missing!),
the Powerglide, the 3 speed manual transmission and the 3 speed with overdrive.

Your thoughts and comments please.

[Verle R.]

Re: Chevrolet - but not Corvette - 1955

Loren,

The frame and running gear were different, the body sure was.
Roy Braatz may be able to name some small parts that were interchangeable but I sure don't know of any.

Verle

[Roy B.]

Re: Chevrolet - but not Corvette - 1955

What are we talking about 54 to 55 Car or 54 to 55 Corvette or parts from a car to Corvette??

[Mike M.]

Re: Chevrolet - but not Corvette - 1955

no overdrive in pre-55 chevys . the pre-55's trannys, with their torque-tubes, were dis-similiar from the open drive style 55 up chevy trannys. that what you were looking for, loren? regards, mike

[Loren L.]

Yep - Thanks Mike. Just trying to make

sure of factual data and what Chevrolet did as a lead-in to a "1956 Revisited" presentation at Las Vegas. Maybe it should start right here with a question: "How many 1956 Corvettes raced at Sebring in the 1956
Twelve Hours race?".

[John H.]

Re: Yep - Thanks Mike. Just trying to make

Loren -

Older sixes had cast iron pistons and "dippers" on the rods for splash lubrication of the rod bearings; don't remember when they changed to aluminum pistons and full-pressure lubrication to the rod bearings.

[Mike M.]

Re: Yep - Thanks Mike. Just trying to make

the full pressure 235 was introduced as a powerglide optioned chevy in 52 or 53. at least by 55, all the 235's had the full press system. i've got a 53 chevy fire truck with a full press system 235 and i've also got a 1 1/2 ton dually 53 chevy truck with a 235 with dippers on the rods. both engines are original to the two chevy trucks.my first car, a 49 chevy coupe, had the 216 rod dipper oil system. took me about 2 weeks to grenade that baby.those dippper engines don't live long above 4000 rpm.mike

[Loren L.]

That's because most of those engines

can't get to 4000 rpm.......I forget the fellows name - and I suspect that his success was in the lack of knowledge of his "countrymen" - who, in the late 50's/early 60's, was able to "sell" his losers that his GMC 302 was a regular Chevy "6".

[Clem Z.]

1953 std shift cars had 216 with dippers and

the power glide cars had a 235 with full pressure oil system. my first "new" car was a 53 chevy and i drove a PG car with full pressure oil system. when i picked up my std shift car i noticed the oil pressure gauge did not go up a high in numbers,i think it only went to 30# and the PG cars went to 60#

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1953 std shift cars had 216 with dippers and

Clem..it is amazing what people remember!

Joe

[Clem Z.]

after installing split exhaust manifold and dual

exhaust,dual carbs and a dual point ignition it pitched the rods out. the spash system did not like the RPMs. the service manager at the dealership was the dad of a friend of mine so they covered it under the warranty. i even talked them into a 261 truck engine with full pressure oil system. i had much fun blowing off the "new" 1954 OHV ford V-8s. the guy that owned the dealership turned out to be a great friend because when i bought my 1955 "power pak" V-8 chevy belaire he would foat me loans to bet when i would race the fords from the dealership across the street.

[Joseph T.]

Re: after installing split exhaust manifold and du

Clem..

Do you know any background on Johnny Beauchamp?

Joe

[Clem Z.]

sorry i can not help you there. i remember

seeing him race but that is about it. did you try and "google" his name ?

[Verne Frantz]

Clem, I hope you last a long time. An Icon *NM*