The hit tunes of 1955 reflected America’s mid-century fascination with color and excitement. There was “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White,” “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” “The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane” and “Whatever Lola Wants.” In the car world, Chevrolet’s Corvette added dazzling new exterior and interior colors and the excitement of a powerful overhead-valve V-8 engine.The Corvette V-8 was a reaction to the introduction of Ford’s two-seat Thunderbird. The first V-8 was installed on Oct. 28, 1954, after just a handful of Corvettes with in-line sixes were built. A large gold “V” was used in the “Chevrolet” lettering on the front fenders of the V-8 models.
Flashy new Corvette colors released for 1955 included Metallic Copper with a Beige interior and Harvest Gold (an eye-catching shade of yellow) with Green-and-Yellow trim and a Dark Green top. The latter was a bright and popular two-tone combination. Bright Gypsy Red exteriors replaced Sportsman Red and red Corvettes now featured a Light Beige interior to make them look “lighter and lovelier.” The new interior material had an exciting ‘50s-style name—Elascofab.
Soft convertible tops were offered in canvas and vinyl. New top colors included White and Dark Green. It was obvious that Chevrolet was using a new spectrum of colors to brighten the Corvette’s appearance and showroom appeal. Chhevrolet used an improved, thinner fiberglass to make 1955 Corvette bodies.
The V-8 was an instant and overpowering hit. Chevy soon started plugging the six-cylinder engine-mounting holes in the frame. The 265-cid “small-block” V-8 had a cast-iron block and heads and some simple, but effective design characteristics like independent rocker arms. A special camshaft, an 8.0:1 compression ratio, solid valve lifters and a single Carter WCFB four-barrel carburetor helped the “Corvette” V-8 produce 195 at 5000 rpm and 260 foot-pounds of torque at 3000 rpm (a bit more than the version used in Chevy passenger cars). Very late in the model year, a three-speed manual transmission became standard in Corvettes. A single dry-plate clutch was used with this gearbox. The two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission that was the sole transmission available up until that point, was then added to the options list. The 1955 Corvette frame had to be modified to allow room for the fuel pump used with the V-8 engine. Since the V-8 retained less heat than the six-cylinder power plant, it required a smaller radiator. The V-8 also weighed 30-40 lbs. less than a six, which added to the car’s performance numbers. The V-8 could do 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds and 0-to-100 mph took only 24.7 seconds.
The car’s basic styling remained the same, but technical improvements were made. The V-8-powered cars were upgraded to a 12-volt electrical system (sixes retained a 6-volt electrical system. Electric windshield wipers were new.
The 1955 Corvette retained the same dimensions, the same front and rear suspension setups and even the same 3.55:1 rear axle ratio as the 1953-1954 models. Optional equipment consisted of only about eight items including directional signals for $16.75, a heater for $91.40, a signal-seeking AM radio for $145.15, a windshield washer for $11.85, a parking brake alarm for $5.65, Powerglide automatic transmission for $178.35, 6.70 x 15 white sidewall tires for $26.90 above the cost of “blackwalls” and a courtesy light package for $4.05.
With the six-cylinder engine, the ’55 Corvette listed for $2,779 and weighed 2,705 pounds. Only about a half dozen sixes were built. With the new V-8, the Corvette had a $2,934 window sticker and gained 175 lbs. Total production of both six-cylinder and V-8 models combined was a mere 700 cars.
‘55 VETTE FACTS
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VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
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Corvettes for 1955 were numbered VE55S001001 to VE55S001700. (the "v" was not used on sizes). The first symbol E = Corvette. The second and third symbols 55=1955. The fourth symbol S=St. Louis, Mo., assembly plant. The last six symbols were digits representing the sequential production number.
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ENGINE
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Type: V-8
Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.00 in.
Displacement: 265 cid
Brake hp: 195 at 5000rpm.
Induction: Carter 4-bbl
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VITAL STATS
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Original Price: $2,934 (with V-8)
Production: 700
Wheelbase: 102 in.
Length: 167 in.
Tires: 6.70 x 15
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COOL STUFF
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• 1955, Zora Arkus-Duntov used a prototype Corvette V-8 to set a record of slightly over 150 mph for the measured Mile at Daytona Beach.
• The Corvette's evolution into a true sports car began in this year, thanks to the release of the new V-8.
• When Ford's new T-Bird outsold the Corvette 23:1 in 1955, Zora Arkus-Duntov knew that changes were necessary and pulled out all stops to up the performance of 1956 models.
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