1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery 🇺🇸

Chevrolet debuted their all new look for passenger cars in the 1955 model year. They were also hard at work on new designs for all their commercial vehicles, but these were not ready in time to release when the cars would first appear in late fall 1954. Consequently, Chevrolet commercial vehicles in 1955 are divided into first and second series vehicles. The early first series cars were hold overs of the old design and replaced with the new design in late March of the year.

The exception to the two series situation was the Sedan Delivery. This model, based heavily on a passenger station wagon called the “Handyman Wagon” shared many of the body panels from the  new passenger cars. Consequently, it was the first commercial vehicle to appear with the new design and did not change throughout the model year.

The new Chevrolet’s for the year were a big step from the cars they replaced. The wide grille with egg-crate pattern sat beneath hooded headlights.  The slab sides removed all indications of where the front fenders ended or the rear fenders began. The cars were lightly adorned with bright trim. The design was clean, modern and accentuated the width of the new cars.

The Sedan Delivery shared many key components with the passenger, 2-door, station wagons including all of the front sheetmetal, the windshield, the doors, and the front floor pan. The rear quarter panels, rear floor and lift gate were all unique to this model.

This was the first appearance of what would become a Chevrolet standard bearer, the small block V8. The 265 cubic inch V8 was modern and light weight, putting out power that was unheard of in the traditional Chevrolet inline-six. 1955 would be the year that Chevrolet would start to become synonymous with performance, not just value.

Another big change for 1955 was a greatly expanded list of options. Not only was there an optional engine for the first time but cars could be dressed and personalized like never before.  Options included expanded color choices, custom trim packages both for exterior and interior, all manner of add-on lights, and conveniences.