The chassis features a Speedway Motors gasser front clip with leaf springs, straight axle, and Vega steering box. Out back a set of CalTracs traction bars contain wheel hop, axle wrap, and everything else associated when a good amount of horsepower becomes part of the equation.

Two-piston, 11-inch disc brakes up front and stock drums out back get the job done, while also fertilizing the time-period style of the build. A stock pedal assembly works the Classic Performance Products (CPP) dual master cylinder for confident braking power.

To continue with the ’60s gasser vibe, a set of 15-inch American Racing 200s, commonly known as Daisy wheels, reside on all four corners, while American Classic rubber rolls up front and Towel City Pie Crust Cheater Slicks grab asphalt out back–all doing their part in keeping this Tri-Five in the proper bygone decade.

Continuing with the period-correct motif, John retained the 400ci small-block that came with the car. It features a GM steel crank, I-beam rods, and flat-top pistons. Although the compression ratio is not available, John informed us of a Comp Cams solid lifter cam and Camel-Hump 202 heads. The classic mill is dressed in finned valve covers, while a pair of velocity stacks roost on top of two Holley Brawler carbs and a tunnel ram intake–the perfect gear for this particular Tri-Five. A set of stainless Patriot fenderwell headers look the part and mate up to a 2.5-inch stainless exhaust tubes with a set of Stainless Works chambered exhaust doing their best to contain the commotion created by the rowdy small-block. The combination creates a rebellious sound that coincides with gasser attitude. John has yet to get the car on the dyno but estimates somewhere about 450 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, which he claims makes this car a “monster to drive.”

Power gets to the ground via a Muncie M21 four-speed transmission armed with a Speedway Motors 9-inch rearend, which accommodates 4.11 cogs and a locker setup with Dutchman axles. It’s a straight-line arrangement that is totally up to code in the “cool car” handbook.

The interior reveals a minimalist approach designed more for business and less for comfort. The stock gauges and dash bring on the ’50s aura while the underdash gauge pod and a Sun Super Tach propped on the dash reassures us of the ’60s build style. The simplicity continues in the cockpit with a Moon steering wheel on the factory column and Procar by Scat buckets sheathed in black vinyl. The Del Ray pattern on the door panels reminds us that this ’55 escaped a catastrophic ’80s redo, which could have sent this time capsule in a completely different era. Yes, the interior features cupholders but are a sound investment due to the rising cost of Starbucks beverages, besides John would rather not stain the fresh Classic Industries black loop carpet.

The exterior affirms radiused rear wheelwells done by the previous owner. John ditched the front bumper for proper aesthetics prior to tackling the bodywork portion of the build by himself and his good buddy Kevin Bannon. He peaked the hood and cut a hole in it to make way for the protruding dual velocity stacks. He also discarded the factory molding to give the 210 a 150 look then spent countless hours filling holes and block-sanding the sheetmetal prior to having Cris from Clemente’s Auto Body in Denville, New Jersey, lay down an ominous coating of SEM Products’ Hot Rod Matte Black pigment.

John admits the car gets quite bit of attention at car shows and cruises, and a lot of “thumps up” while driving down the road. He enjoys seeing people’s reaction to his wild-looking Chevy but listening when veteran hot rodders share stories from the “old days” really makes the build worth it. “This car does a great job of triggering memories from the older crowd,” John says. “Those guys have great stories going back to the original gasser days–stories I could listen to for hours, and I actually have.”

It’s been said that true hot rodders’ cars are never really done, but even in its current state, John’s ’55 is an absolute badass and does a great job of causing a ruckus on the streets of Butler, New Jersey–about as far as you can get from a field car in Modesto, California.

Take that, Milner!