t doesn’t matter what era you’ve grown up in since the mind of a young hot rodder is always at work. Regardless of whether you’re sitting in class or daydreaming in the lunch room, you’re always making plans to build the ultimate hop-up. Many times the dreams are just that, often staying locked up with hopes that they might get nudged into reality as soon as an opportunity arises. For Alex Finigan of Marblehead, Massachusetts, he didn’t get to build the 1955 Chevy he envisioned in 1965 while attending high school until now, and all we can say is it was worth the wait!
Alex’s original formula to create a perfect early ’60s vibe fused just the right amount of creative restraint where subtleties speak volumes, especially when you’re crafting a Saturday night special. Remembering back, it was always the cars with the least amount of features that stole your cash when you ran while vying for street domination. The ones with radiused rear wheelwells, hood scoops, and all the flash were an obvious sign of bigger things under the wrapper, warning you not to take the bet. Alex finally made the decision to dust off his high school aspirations and started the search for a suitable 1955 Chevy 210.
Alex wasted no time and delivered his newfound treasure to Mark Allin of Precision Auto Restoration in Exeter, New Hampshire. The pair discussed what it would take to bring his ideas to life and got started, focusing first on the chassis. Since the factory frame was in mint condition, a decision was made to freshen it up, starting with the suspension. Out back, a new Currie 9-inch rear spins 3.73:1gears linked to matching 31-spline axles suspended in place by a combination of new leaf springs and tube shocks from Danchuk along with period-correct Traction-Master Bars.
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Vehicle: 1955 Chevy Bel Air
Type: 1964 Chevrolet V-8
Displacement: 327ci to 331ci
Compression: 9.5:1
Bore: 0.030-over
Cylinder Heads: Iron camel-hump, 461 casting
Rotating Assembly: Stock
Valvetrain: 2.02 intake/exhaust
Camshaft: Schneider 142F, solid lifter
Induction: 1956 Corvette dual-quad intake/Carter WCFB carbs
Ignition: 1956 Corvette with PerTronix
Exhaust: Corvette Ram Horns, 2½-inch exhaust, Turbo mufflers
Output: 330 hp
Transmission: Richmond Super Street five-speed
Rear Axle: Currie 9-inch, 3.73 gears
Front Suspension: Stock IFS
Rear Suspension: Stock leaf springs, shocks, Traction Master Bars
Brakes: Stock 11-inch drum
Wheels: Vintage American Racing 15-inch magnesium
Tires: Towel City Cheater Slicks rear, Coker 185R15 front
Seats: Factory bench
Upholstery: Two-tone brown and tan
Gauges: Stock, Sun tach, Stewart-Warner
Steering: 1959 Corvette
Carpet: Brown
Shifter: Hurst
Paint: Navajo Tan, India Ivory
Hood: Stock
Grille: Stock
The car sees plenty of miles on New England roads with Alex flashing a teenage grin as he relives the past, and to us that’s as real as it gets!