NICKYS TRIFIVE FACTS, please note, i am not a trifive expert, however, ive read every book i can get my hands on and i put this facts together, knowledge is valuable best of all its free.if
you can add to this page with more facts please email me belairbarber@yahoo.com i will research
your facts and post them on my site......
Long Live the shoebox chevy, "© EMARKAY - 5/29/93 (revised: 5/8/98)"

The original can be found at:
http://www.angelfire.com/in/EMARKAY/joutline.html

The Cowl tag

2. COWL TAG: The Cowl tag gives the Model series, the Body number, the
Interior Trim combination, the Paint combination, and certain Factory
Accessories. For the 1955 and 1956 cars, the Cowl tag is located on the
passenger side cowl, and if the car has factory Air Conditioning, it will be
on the driverside cowl The early 1957 cars had the tag in the center of the
cowl, behind the distributor. Later cars moved it to under the heater hose
inlet. As there is a lot of controversy as to reproduction (read that as
bogus) cowl tags, a through description of the information is not in order
here. Suffice to say that the Cowl tag should be intact.


3. OTHER VISUAL CLUES TO AUTHENTICITY OF CAR: (Starting from the front of the
car.)

All radiators have a Date Code on the top tank. It consists of a letter (the
month) and 2 numbers (the year):


A. "A" THROUGH "M" (NO LETTER "I") = MONTH


B. "54" THROUGH "57" = YEAR
(Remember that the model year ran from about October ("K") to August ("H")).


An original car will have headlamps with a "T-3" emblem in a triangle in the
center of the outer glass. On 1956 cars the words "SEALED BEAM" will be
larger than on 1957 cars. Also, the "T-3" emblem will have a 'pebbly'
background.


(EXCEPTION: Early 1955 cars did not have the T-3, but the bulbs will say
"GUIDE" on them, and will NOT have the 3 aiming lugs found on the newer
headlights used since 1956.)


Amber turn signal lenses are a modern day replacement.
HOWEVER, amber bulbs was common and factory depending on what they had in stock.
sounds funny but very true on alot of parts and paint.

All cars had Delco GENERATORS, with the main housing, fan, and pulley all
painted SEMI GLOSS BLACK, and the end plates are left a NATURAL ALUMINUM
color. A red, metal, "Delco-Remy" tag should be riveted to the unit. This tag
also has a date code - the first digit is the year (4,5,6,or 7) the second is
the month, in lettercode (A-M), the last is the day of the month. The upper
generator brace is painted ENGINE COLOR. Also, the generator support arm
should be painted ENGINE COLOR.


Original POWER STEERING PUMPS were mounted to the back of the generator.


ALTERNATORS are modern day modifications.


(EXCEPTION 1: Some power steering generators had black cast iron end plates.)
(EXCEPTION 2: A very rare Police option was a 60 amp 'generator', which
actually was an alternator! There would then also be a SELENIUM RECTIFIER,
with metal cooling fins, mounted in the engine compartment.)


Original cars had single reservoir master cylinders stamped DELCO on the
side. They were not painted, but were left NATURAL CAST METAL color. They all
had metal caps.


All 2 bbl V8s had air cleaners with no 'snout', having 2 horizontal slots in
the lid instead. Only the single 4 bbl units had the 'snout', and the shape
of the snout on all 3 years air cleaners are slightly different. Dual 4bbl
(1956 and 1957 ONLY) units have a "batwing", or triangular air cleaner cover
with 2 round elements on the underside. ALL air cleaners are painted SEMI
GLOSS BLACK.


All 1955 V8 motors are CHEVY ORANGE with BLACK valve cover stencils. All 1956
V8 motors are CHEVY RED, with BLACK valve stencils.With the exception of a very
extreme few
NOTE... IF YOUR LOOKING FOR THE CORRECT CHEVY RED, SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY. IT CAN BE FOUND AT YOUR FAVORITE AUTO PART STORE ITS NUMBER #1608 MADE BY DUPLICOLOR UNDER THE HIGH HEAT ENGINE PAINTS. I FOUND THIS TO BE THE EXACT COLOR FOR ALOT LESS MONEY AROUND 4.95 A CAN, DANCHUCK AND PADDUCK HAS IT FOR 26.95 A CAN.UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME
in 56 the stencils may have also been white. A few EARLY 1957 265 V8
engines (standard transmission ONLY) were painted chartreuse (lime green) by
Chevrolet, and they had BLACK stencils on the valve covers. After about
November 1956, all 265 engines were CHEVY ORANGE (as are the 283 motors), and
the valve cover scripts were SILVER.


Spark plug wires were black, and so were all boots and nipples.


(EXCEPTION: 1957 dual 4 bbl and Fuel Injection wires had red spark plug
boots.)


No parts of the engine compartment were originally chromed, and this includes
the hardware.


All exhaust manifolds may have some ENGINE COLOR paint overspray, but no
manifolds were ever painted FLAT SILVER, and new cast iron does NOT appear as
flat silver! (They probably had a coating of natural rust on them before they
were out of the factory!)



All radiator clamps are the 'spring' type. Original hoses and belts were
black, with GM markings. Original radiator caps did NOT say "Never Open While
Hot", nor had pressure release levers.



All batteries had 6 REMOVABLE (threaded) yellow caps and were top post type,
with BLACK cases. Original batteries were made by DELCO, and had tar tops,
(not plastic). All battery cables were black, except the 1955 and 1956
negative cables, which were tinned copper braid), and had bolt type
terminals.

The firewall is body color, and the inner fenders and hood underside is
SEMI-GLOSS BLACK. (Although some dealers did undercoat the underside of the
hood; remember that undercoating is NOT glossy black!) Hood springs are GLOSS
BLACK. Hood hinges are CAD PLATED. All "push-in", and bolt on wire clips are
either black, green or red oxide. Also, no nylon "zip-ties" were used.
Bundles were held together with flat brass straps.


The steering box is NATURAL METAL color, and LOW MILE original cars may have
various colored "inspection marks" on the adjusting screw and other areas.


"Spin-on" oil filters are modern replacement. 55 Did not apply. no oil
filters came in 55.thats right in 55 there was none. Original 1956 and 1957 V8 units
were of the canister type, and had silk-screened data, not stick on decals.
Accessory 6 cylinder units were canister type hanging near the carburetor,
with rubber hoses going to the engine block. 1955 Accessory units were
mounted at the front of the engine, opposite the generator.


All outside rear mirrors are round, and were accessories.


NOTE: A few EARLY 1957 4 door hardtops had the inside rear view mirror
mounted on the dash. Due to vibration, these were replaced on many of these
cars, and were then also factory supplied, with a special long bracket,
mounted from above as on other models.


All cars had either "Chevrolet" trim or a Chevrolet emblem on both the hood
and trunk.


Tire sizes: 1955 and 1956 = 6.70 x 15 or 7.10 x 15, 1957 = 7.50 x 14 or 8.00
x 14, (G78-14 or VR215-14 are modern replacements).


Borg-Warner overdrive units were available options on 3 speed cars. The
lockout handle should be chrome, and mounted under dash. Confirm kick-down
switch mounted to carburetor, and overdrive harness fuse near ballast
resistor.


Original parking brake handle should be black. Late model replacement parts
are chrome plated.


Dual exhausts were NOT used with 6 cylinder or 2bbl V8 engines. Exhaust pipes
were not welded to hangars, nor were "generic" hangars used. Mufflers were
either NATURAL, SEMI GLOSS BLACK, or GALVANIZED. No cars had side pipes,
headers, glasspacks, etc... Original 1955 and 1956 dual exhaust had oval
exhaust extensions (with the "powerpack" V8). Chevrolet script exhaust
deflectors were 1955 and 1956 accessories.


(EXCEPTION 1: In 1956 Chevrolet offered an Accessory Dual Exhaust kit . This
could be mounted on a 6 cylinder or 2bbl V8 car, but all fuel/brake lines
must have been moved to outside frame.)

(EXCEPTION 2: A few Chevrolet "race car" 1957's had pipes exiting in front of
rear wheels. These were 150 model, dual-four or Fuel Injected cars. Owner
would certainly have supporting documentation, since only about 2 or 3 of
these cars are left!)


Fuel and brake lines were all metal (except flexible couplings at wheel
cylinders and fuel pumps). No rubber hoses should go to carburetor, or
distributor. Only glass bowl fuel filters were used (original units use a
bronze element, later replacements use a paper element), and they were an
option.


... ADDITIONALLY, All 6 cylinder and 2 bbl V8 cars had fuel and brake lines
on the inside of the frame (toward driveshaft). Any car so equipped must have
single exhaust only. All others ("powerpak" and 1957 Fuel Injection) were on
the outside of the frame (visible from passenger side, away from muffler).


No cars had floor shifter units, bucket seats, "Mag" wheels, fat tires, 'big
block' engines, or superchargers.


(EXCEPTION: Unconfirmed reports are that a few late 1957 cars had dealer
installed Corvette 4-speeds.)

Genuine Chevrolet air conditioning, either factory or dealer installed, was
an "in-dash" installation. Look for the fast idle speed control under dash (a
hard to find part) in original installations.


Genuine Chevrolet seatbelts, a RARE accessory, have silver-grey nylon webbing
and chrome buckles. ANY other colors or styles are aftermarket replacements
Original installations will use coat hooks on the pillar near the front seat
back to hang unused front outer belt ends.


NO company currently makes any belt that is an original reproduction, since
that design will not meet today's D.O.T. standards. not even danchuk!


Original floor mats are single color rubber, with small Chevrolet emblems in
them. No mats were carpeted.


All 1957 gauges have fluorescent orange needles.



(EXCEPTION: AC tachometers used in the aforementioned Chevrolet "race-car"
applications.)


Bel Air models had (among many other differences) stainless steel trim
framing the roofline to the "C" pillar, aluminum trim panels on the
dashboard, and carpeting.


(EXCEPTION: 210 Del Ray Club Coupes also had carpeting.)

All radios were AM only and were supplied by Chevrolet. 1955 antennas had a
pointed tip. Any car with an original radio should have a suppressor
capacitor mounted on the generator and the coil, as well as braided copper
ground straps from the valve covers to the firewall. 1956 cars had an
optional straight antenna on 1 rear fender,but the standard antenna
was mounted on the passenger front fender. and 1957 had 1 or 2 angled rear
antennas mounted near the trunk corners. The lower part of the 1957 rears
will be visible from inside the trunk.

HERES THE DIFFERANCE IN THE DASHES ON THE 55 AND 56, AS FOLLOWS
on the 55, you can see hundreds of little bow ties on the stainless
part of the dash, in 56 it was raised ribbs, in 57 it was a total different
dash, no double bubble on the 57, too bad i thought it was a fine touch.

HERES HOW TO TELL A 55 RADIO FROM A 56.
in 56 theres a little civil defence sign in the middle of the dial. on
the 55 there is not, it was made a law to have this little indicator in 56
so folks could listen and tune in easy during an emergency or air raid:

An optional electric rear antenna was available for 1957, with the control
mounted on the dash under the rolled edge, above the radio.

If the optional rear speaker control is present on the dash, there will be
ONE 6 x 9 speaker, with a coordinating color, perforated metal grille, in the
parcel shelf. Otherwise there will be NONE.


The parcel shelf is fiberboard, not carpeted.


All shock absorbers are either GREY or SEMI GLOSS BLACK. Original Delco units
would have a "spiral" embossing in their lower part.


Undercoating was a dealer applied accessory. Some dealerships used a lot, and
sprayed it EVERYWHERE on the underside, and some used none at all (GM
undercoated a few specific areas at the factory - how was the customer to
know?) It should be roughly textured, with an even appearance, and clean.
Obviously, it would NOT have body color overspray like non-undercoated cars
MAY have!


All trunks had black rubber mats, a matching spare tire (visible side of the
wheel painted SEMI GLOSS black),or in some cases if the car was 2 tone the rims may be eather
color, and a jack. The trunk walls and lids are
body color, and overspray will be found on the fiberglass pads on the lid.


Blue Dot tail lamps, fender skirts, (...yes, fender skirts are NOT Genuine
Chevrolet Accessories...) chrome pedal pads, pinstriping, and "Moon" wheel
covers, are NOT genuine Chevrolet Accessories. (Neither were "fuzzy dice" on
the rear-view mirror...)
GLASS FUEL BOWLS
Heres an interesting thing. how to tell a replacement fuel bowl from the original
the original was kinda rounded like a ball on top
the aftermaret ones have a rounded thin tube molded into the cast, in short if it dont look like a round ball
that says AC its aftermarket.



DISCLAIMER: This guide was originally intended to assist the novice, or
the people who may not be familiar with these new, popular models. While it
is certainly the owner's choice whether to keep their car stock or customize
it, I hope to make the task of judging these cars simpler by identifying some
of the differences between stock and custom. I have used as many sources as
possible to verify correctness. But, as these cars were mass-produced (over 5
million produced!) at many plants with many more multiple suppliers of parts,
some items may not agree with this. In that case it is the responsibility of
the owner of the car to provide whatever data is necessary to prove the
disputed area. If there is any doubt as to something about the car, ASK THE
OWNER!


One final consideration is to be aware of "OVER RESTORATION"., GM did NOT put
20 coats of hand rubbed lacquer on these cars, nor did they roll ball
bearings down every seam. If it looks "too good to be true", it almost surely
is! 

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS:


A. EXTERIOR - Alignment of panels, evidence of body filler, paint (should not
be clear coated), grille area, chrome, stainless, aluminum trim, painted
areas on trim, weatherstrips, glass (correct with LOF shield emblem), lights
and lenses (lenses should say "GUIDE, original headlamps had "GUIDE", and
1956 and 1957 had a "T3" in a triangular emblem on them), tires (inch
measured sizes), wheelcovers (originally had painted details, not self-stick
decals!).


B. INTERIOR - Door panel fit, carpet/rubber mat fit, headliner/convertible
top and boot, cardboards (kick panel, parcel shelf), instruments, radio,
clock (is it ticking?; is battery connected?), steering wheel, knobs, sill
plates (should say "Body by Fisher"), underdash area, pedal pads, condition
of wiring underdash.


C. ENGINE - Oil Bath Air cleaner, carburetor, fuel lines, vacuum lines, battery,
battery cables (black/braid), hose clamps, hose markings, correct decals,
wiring, hood hinges, underhood lights (working?; disconnected?), DELCO master
cylinder, radiator, hardware (Isn't always EXACTLY the same from
car-to-car!), firewall.


D. UNDERBODY - (Note, some paint overspray is correct, but not on undercoated
areas.) Rocker panels, transmission, linkages, muffler(s), clamps, hangars,
body mounts, fuel and brake lines, shocks (Black or Gray), gas tank and
straps.


E. TRUNK - Spare tire (SEMI GLOSS BLACK on inside of wheel), jack, mat, sound
deadener pads on lid (may have paint overspray).


5. ORIGINAL ACCESSORIES POTENTIALLY INSTALLED ON 1955 TO 1957 CARS:


1955, 1956 & 1957: metal bumper guards, Continental wheel carrier, license
plate frame, door edge guards, heater, tool kit, back-up lamps, floor mats,
outside rear view mirror, radios (manual, pushbutton, or Wonderbar signal
seeker), spotlamps, yuk,who would drill a hole in a perfectly good pillar. dash mount compass, accelerator pedal cover, tissue
dispenser, vanity visor mirror, electric shaver impossible to find, if you find one grab it because they are very rare,and worth lots $$$$ the maker was Remington, it was called the Remington Rollectric,it had a picture of a real old buggy type car on the inside of the case, also says auto home, Had a unique plug that used both 110 volts and a plug on cigarette lighter adaptor to plug in your lighter. ive only seen one of these at a swap meet, the guy was asking .00 and i bet he sold it....
parking brake warning lamp,
door handle shields, rear seat speaker, non-glare ("day/night") inside
mirror, ventshades, outside sunvisor, (look for 2 screws where unit attaches
to drip rails - safety item!) traffic lamp viewer (dash mounded clear prism),
plastic glareshade, Kool Kooshion seat pad, power brakes, power steering
(with pump on generator), power windows, power seat, windshield washer (foot
operated or automatic), Autronic Eye headlamp dimmer, air conditioning, seat
belts, underhood lamp, locking gas cap, radiator insect screen (with
Chevrolet tag).


1955 and 1956 only: wire wheel covers, self de-icing windshield wiper blades
(covered with rubber boot), exhaust extension, front fender stone guards,
gasoline filler guard, remote outside mirror.


1957 only: wheel cover spinners, rubber front bumper guards, dual rear
antennas, electric rear antenna, trunk lid lower edge molding (aluminum),
deluxe outside mirrors (with ring around mirror - can be mounted on doors or
front fenders), vacuum reserve tank (for windshield washer)


6. OTHER FACTS AND FIGURES:


1955 PRODUCTION:

150 models - 125,446

210 models - 805,309

Bel Airs - 773,382


1956 PRODUCTION:

150 models - 157,294

210 models - 737,371

Bel Airs - 669,281


1957 PRODUCTION:

150 models - 146,080

210 models - 653,358

Bel Airs - 702,651


WHEELBASE = 115, AVERAGE WEIGHT = 3300 Lbs, AVERAGE COST WHEN NEW >>> Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars

NOTE: This information is supplied by Nicky as a courtesy and is for reference only. The information is accurate to the best of MY knowledge. I cannot be held responsible for mistakes or typographical errors.
THIS IS A 3 YEAR COMPILATION OF THE SHOEBOX TRIFIVE CHEVY facts belairbarber@yahoo.com.. 2001
NICKY, "© EMARKAY - 5/29/93 (revised: 5/8/98)"

The original can be found at:
http://www.angelfire.com/in/EMARKAY/joutline.html

VINTAGE CHEVY "OK" USED CAR MIRROR HANGERS FOR SALE.

IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND!!!GET THEM RIGHT HERE, THE VINTAGE "OK" USED CAR HANG TAG. THESE BEAUTIFUL OK TAGS USED BY CHEVROLET DEALERS IN THE 1950S TO VALIDATE THE WARANTEE OF THE VEHICLE
AND PASSED INSPECTION AS A QUALITY "OK" CHEVROLET.
THESE TAGS COME WITH THE WIRE HANGERS TO HANG FROM YOUR REAR VIEW MIRROR. USE THIS TAG AT CAR SHOWS, POINT SHOWS TO IMPRESS THE JUDGES.THE SMALL DETAIL IS WHAT MAKES IT AT A POINT SHOW. GET AN EDGE ON YOUR COMPATITION, VERY VIVID COLORS.
LOOK NO FURTHER, NICKY HAS THEM...12.99 EACH.FREE SHIPPING...
SCROLL DOWN FOR A PICTURE OF THEM....

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS ? EMAIL belairbarber@yahoo.com

NEED VINCODE DECODING? PAINT CODE DECODING, OR ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING 55,56,57 CHEVYS
JUST EMAIL ME,
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY
NICKY

Nickys 56 is for sale!!! 7,800 original documented miles

Obtained.

from the original owner,  in Saco, Maine

7,800 original miles,    2 times trophy winner at the

Under the hood, Clean as a whistle Nicky's 56

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF NICKYS 56 ON THE PHOTOS PAGE!