Smooth and Sassy: ’55 Chevy 210 Tailored to Perfection

The Billet Specialties pulley system looks good and powers all the accessories. The Performance Rod and Custom radiator and condenser keep engine temps in the green and allow the Vintage Air to cool the cabin. Braided steel hoses, polished aluminum valve covers, flame-licked air cleaner, and a painted-to-match engine compartment team up to properly showcase the mighty motor. A beefed Turbo 350 transmission handles the estimated 485 hp.

While the performance and handling modifications were underway, the body was also being prepped prior to its final paint. Very few changes were made to the exterior because the look is what attracted Claude to it in the first place.
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All the sheet metal was blocked and smoothed to perfection prior to receiving the eye-catching Hugger Orange and Quick Silver Metal Flake paint job, sprayed by Ben Helms of Ben’s Paint and Body in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

The final phase was the interior, this time assisted by Jeff Helms of Helms Auto Trim in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Claude chose an elegant gray leather and Jeff used nine hides to modernize the sound-deadened cabin.

The comfortable bucket seats are full power and were sourced from a late-model Infinity. The new center console runs between the seats and holds the aggressive-looking B&M Pro Ratchet shifter with reverse lockout. The console was also the right location for the KDC-X892 Kenwood head unit as well as the pair of 6 x 9 Memphis component sets mounted on either side. A second pair of 6 x 9s resides in the rear package tray, filling the cab with music, thanks to Carolina Audio in Monroe.




Power window switches on the console control the side windows and even activate the power vent windows. The dash runs a complete set of Auto Meter gauges in a polished aluminum housing, along with an oversized Sunpro Super Tach II on the polished ididit column. Finishing touches include pinstriping on the console along with gray headliner and carpet. The trunk was upholstered to match and features a rear panel, removable for access to the Optima Red Top battery and embroidered with Chevy logo.

The completed car is a joy to own and drive and Claude takes it everywhere. He is proud to say that it has won too many trophies to count and the car always takes first place. Although his home is in North Carolina, Monroe is close to the South Carolina border and is a member of the S.C. chapter of Xplizit car club.

He really enjoys their monthly cruise-ins and feels that the regular automotive gatherings, often attracting as many as 150 cars, have added an exciting new dimension to the town. We caught this car at the NOPI Nationals in Myrtle Beach, where it won the Best Restored and, as predicted, first place in its class!