How much is a 1955 Chevy Bel Air worth today?

Prices for a 1955 Chevy Bel Air can range from a modest sum for a project car to six-figure numbers for exceptional, concours-grade restorations. In general, a running, driver-quality Bel Air commonly falls in the tens of thousands, while well-restored examples and desirable body styles push higher.

Market snapshot and what drivers look for

The 1955 Bel Air is part of Chevrolet’s iconic Tri-Five lineup, celebrated for its styling, simplicity, and nostalgic appeal. Market values reflect not only condition, but also how faithfully a car has been restored, whether it has matching-numbers drivetrain components, provenance, and the desirability of specific body styles such as the two-door hardtop. While prices shift with supply and demand, buyers today still pay a premium for originality, documentation, and a strong, period-correct presentation.

What affects value

Several factors commonly drive Bel Air pricing. The following list highlights the main considerations:

• Overall condition and drivability (whether the car runs, stops safely, and can be shown or driven regularly)


• Provenance and documentation (matching-numbers engine/transmission, build sheets, pedigree)


• Restoration quality and correctness (level of detail, period-correct parts, chrome, interior, and paint)


• Body style and rarity (2-door hardtop and Nomad wagons are typically more valuable than basic sedans)


• Engine and drivetrain (small-block vs big-block, optional equipment, fuel-injection, etc.)


• Originality versus modern upgrades (stock appearance often commands higher value in certain markets)


• Color, trim, and overall curb appeal (a visually striking car can command a premium)

In practical terms, these factors combine to determine whether a specific Bel Air will be valued toward the lower, middle, or upper end of market ranges. Prospective buyers should focus on documentation, the correctness of the restoration, and the stability of the mechanicals when assessing value.

Value ranges by condition and body style

Prices vary significantly by condition and by which Bel Air body style you’re looking at. The following ranges give a broad sense of what buyers are paying today, with the understanding that individual examples can fall outside these bands based on provenance and execution.

By condition (rough guide)

These ranges are approximate and reflect current collector-car markets across major valuation guides. They assume a driving, not-perfectly-restored example for the lower end and a high-quality restoration or well-preserved original for the upper end.

• Project/restoration-needed: about $15,000 to $25,000


• Runner/driver-grade: about $25,000 to $40,000


• Good to excellent driving/restored: about $40,000 to $70,000


• Concours or show-quality, with matching numbers and extensive documentation: $100,000 and up (often $120,000–$150,000+ in top conditions)

These figures reflect a broad market snapshot and can swing on a car’s specific story, options, and the thoroughness of its restoration. For precise current numbers, consult recent price guides and recent market listings from Hagerty, NADA Classic Cars, and Classic.com.

By body style and desirability

Different Bel Air body styles carry different price expectations. Among the Tri-Five favorites, the 2-door hardtop variants tend to command higher values than four-door sedans, while the Nomad wagon can be particularly expensive due to its rarity and distinctive wagon profile.

• 1955 Bel Air 2-door hardtop: typically toward the upper-middle to high end of the driver-to-restoration spectrum


• 1955 Bel Air 4-door sedan: generally more affordable than two-door variants, though well-restored examples can still be highly valued


• 1955 Bel Air Nomad wagon: often higher-priced due to rarity and styling appeal

In practice, the most sought-after combinations are clean, well-documented, period-correct restorations of desirable body styles with a strong visual presentation and solid mechanicals.

Buying and selling tips

To navigate today’s market effectively, keep these guidelines in mind when evaluating a 1955 Bel Air for purchase or sale:

• Request and review build sheets, VINs, engine numbers, and restoration invoices to confirm provenance and numbers-matching status


• Have a qualified classic car technician inspect the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and electrical system


• Consider the impact of non-original parts versus period-correct reproduction components


• Factor in the cost of potential future maintenance and parts availability for specific models

Prepared buyers and sellers who can articulate the car’s history, restoration quality, and maintenance records typically achieve fairer market outcomes.

Summary

The value of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air today depends most on condition, originality, and provenance, with two-door hardtops and Nomad wagons generally priced at a premium. Expect roughly $15k–$25k for project cars, $25k–$40k for drivables, $40k–$70k for good-to-excellent restorations, and $100k+ for concours-grade examples. Always check up-to-date data from trusted guides like Hagerty Price Guide, NADA Classic Cars, and Classic.com, and consider a professional appraisal for accuracy in a local market.

What are the most sought after 1955 chevys?

Perhaps their most sought-after vehicle is the 1955 Chevy Bel-Air. The Bel-Air offers classic car enthusiasts a number of features worth writing home about.

How much is a 55 Chevy pickup worth?

The price for a 1955 Chevy truck (like the 3100 model) varies widely, with average prices in good condition around $\$30,300, but can range from about $8,250$ 8 comma 250$8,250 for a project to over $198,000$ 198 comma 000$198,000 for rare or exceptionally restored examples. Condition, modifications, and auction performance all affect the final cost, with recent sales listed between $32,000$ 32 comma 000$32,000 and $75,000$ 75 comma 000$75,000. 
Price range based on condition and factors

• Average Condition: A 1955 Chevrolet Series 3100 in good, average condition can be expected to cost around $30,300$ 30 comma 300$30,300. 
• High Retail: High-end, meticulously maintained, or heavily modified trucks can reach prices around $62,000$ 62 comma 000$62,000. 
• High Auction Prices: Exceptionally well-maintained or rare models can sell for much higher, with the highest auction price in recent years being $198,000$ 198 comma 000$198,000. 
• Low Retail: Trucks in poor condition requiring extensive work can be found for much less, with the lowest auction price being $8,250$ 8 comma 250$8,250. 

Recent sale examples

• Recent Auction: A 1955 Chevrolet Series 3100 sold for $55,182$ 55 comma 182$55,182 on November 17, 2025. 
• Recent Fixed Price: A modified 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Big Window was listed for $35,000$ 35 comma 000$35,000. 
• Recent Listing: A 1955 Chevrolet 3100 with a 5.7 ls1 Corvette v8 engine was listed for $75,000$ 75 comma 000$75,000. 

How many 1955 Chevy Bel Airs were made?

Approximately 800,968 1955 Chevrolet Bel Airs were made, but production numbers vary by body style. The most popular body style was the 4-door sedan with 366,293 units, while the convertible had 41,292 units produced and the two-door hardtop Sport Coupe had 189,269 units produced.
 

• Total production: Approximately 800,968 for all Bel Air models. 
• Body Style Breakdown:
  • 4-Door Sedan: 366,293 
  • 2-Door Hardtop Sport Coupe: 189,269 
  • 2-Door Convertible: 41,292 
  • 4-Door Beauville Wagon: 25,772 
  • 2-Door Nomad Wagon: 8,530 

How much is a Chevy Bel Air worth?

The price of a Chevrolet Bel Air varies widely depending on its year, condition, and rarity, with average prices ranging from approximately $12,800 for a 1965 model to $44,300 for a 1957 model in good condition. Prices can range from a few thousand dollars for cars needing restoration to over $395,000 for rare, high-end models sold at auction, as reported by Classic.com.
 
Price based on model year (estimated average for good condition)

• 1955: Approximately $137,500 (high auction sale)
• 1956: Approximately $170,500 (high auction sale)
• 1957: ~$44,343
• 1958: ~$28,600 (auction sale)
• 1962: ~$26,140
• 1964: ~$18,539
• 1965: ~$12,806 

Factors that affect price

• Condition: A fully restored, high-end car will command a much higher price than one needing extensive work.
• Rarity: Certain model years or special editions are rarer and thus more valuable. 
• Features: Modifications and original features like engine size and transmission type will influence the price. 
• Market: Auction prices can fluctuate significantly, with the highest sales representing top-of-the-line collector vehicles. 

Where to find specific pricing

• Auction sites: Hagerty, Classic.com, and Mecum Auctions are good resources for understanding recent auction results.
• Car sales websites: Cars.com, ClassicCars.com, and eBay provide listings for vehicles currently for sale, which is helpful for finding a specific car.