Who designed the 1955 Chevy Bel Air?
The overall design direction for the 1955 Bel Air came from Harley J. Earl, GM’s styling chief, with Chevrolet’s in-house design team handling the execution. In short, it was a collaborative effort within General Motors rather than the work of a single credited designer.
To understand the question in detail, the 1955 Bel Air was the flagship of Chevrolet’s new Tri-Five lineup, introducing a bolder, chrome-rich aesthetic and rounded, more aerodynamic lines. While Earl set the styling direction for GM in that era, official attribution for the exact exterior and interior designers of the Bel Air is not typically published as a lone individual; the work was carried out by Chevrolet’s design staff within GM’s Styling Studio as a team.
Design leadership and process
The following overview highlights how leadership and collaboration shaped the Bel Air’s look.
Before listing the key roles, this section explains that the Bel Air’s design was driven by GM’s Styling Division, with Earl providing overarching direction and Chevrolet’s own design team translating that direction into the car’s exterior and interior details.
- Harley J. Earl — General Motors Styling Chief who oversaw the overall design direction for GM in the mid-1950s.
- Chevrolet Design Team — In-house designers within GM's Styling Studio responsible for implementing the Bel Air’s exterior and interior details.
These roles reflect the collaborative nature of the program: Earl set the look and feel, while Chevrolet’s designers executed the specifics for the Bel Air’s production models.
Notable design features introduced with the 1955 Bel Air
Before this list, note that these elements helped define the Bel Air’s distinctive appearance and contributed to the era’s recognizable “Tri-Five” style.
- Expanded chrome emphasis and a more assertive front fascia, including the grille treatment.
- Introduction of two-tone paint options and bolder body-side chrome trim.
- Softer, more rounded body lines and a broader overall silhouette compared with earlier Chevrolets.
- Updated interior styling and instrumentation that aligned with the new exterior cues.
Together, these features created the iconic 1955 Bel Air look that defined the Tri-Five era and influenced Chevrolet design for years to come.
Summary
In summary, the 1955 Chevy Bel Air was designed under the General Motors styling umbrella by Harley J. Earl, with Chevrolet’s internal design team handling the detailed execution. It was a collaborative effort that produced a landmark look for the mid-1950s and helped establish the Bel Air as the flagship of Chevrolet’s Tri-Five lineup.
How much did a Chevy Bel Air cost in 1955?
The original price of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air varied by model, with the 2-door sedan base price around $2,166 and the convertible around $2,305. Other sources provide slightly different figures, with a base price of $1,987 for the 2-door sedan or an original MSRP of $2,583 mentioned for the Bel Air, showing that final prices depended on body style and options.
- Bel Air Sport Coupe: About $2,166
- Bel Air Convertible: Around $2,305
- Bel Air 2-Door Sedan: Around $1,987 (base price) or potentially as high as $2,583 depending on options and specific models
- Bel Air Beauville 4-Door Wagon: About $2,361
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
Did John DeLorean design the Vega?
Gearheads remember John DeLorean for developing the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix—an all-new, fresh iteration of the nameplate that defined a segment—and the Chevrolet Vega, which had a more mixed legacy, but most of all for the Pontiac GTO.
Who designed the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air?
| 1955 Chevrolet | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Chevrolet Bel Air Chevrolet 210 Chevrolet 150 Chevrolet Nomad Chevrolet Sedan Delivery |
| Production | 1954–1955 |
| Assembly | United States Canada Woodville, Australia |
| Designer | Bill Mitchell |
