1955 chevrolet Bel Air base sedan 2-door German market

Vehicle Description

Available for sale is an unusual 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air example. According to a consensus of research, this was one of five similar cars exported to Germany. It was built on GMs export line equipped with a locking steering column, KPH speedometer, a map pocket on the driver door panel, a cowl tag in German, and a 265 cid engine with Power Glide automatic transmission. It was painted in the Dusk Rose / India Ivory color scheme with a grey and white interior. All in all a very uncommon 1955 Chevy. There is a soft retractable sky roof that was either factory ordered or dealer installed.

In 1955 exported to Bremerhaven, West Germany and sold by GM dealer Auto Staiger GmbH in Stuttgart. In 1969, the car was purchased from its previous owner (said to be a farmer) by US tank commander Chief Warrant Officer Larry S. Griffaw who was stationed there. At that time, the new owner installed a 327 V8 engine and a replacement windshield that he received via military transport channels. During the 10 years the new buyer was in Germany for the military, he conducted research and met the car dealer who originally sold it. He also accumulated numerous photos and documents relevant to this car. In 1972 it underwent it's first restoration at the Army Base Craft Shop in Fulda, West Germany. In 1979, the Commander returned to the US, making some changes to the car including sealed beam headlights and MPH speedometer to replace the KPH original. In 1974 it was restored a second time in Imperial Missouri. It was exposed to a garage fire in 1982 in Lawton, Oklahoma after which a third restoration was completed in1983 after which it competed in the first and second ISCA car shows (1983-84). In 1986, Larry Griffaw and members of his tank inspection team returned to Auto Staiger GmbH in Stuttgart for a visit, posing for pictures in front. At some point during the restorations, it was returned to the correct 265 with Power Glide. The car was since stripped to bare metal and repainted in the original Dusk Rose base color.

The current owner is the estate of a prolific car collector. This vehicle is in need of assembly, but is substantially complete. Some needed items are the seats and bumpers. The car is located near Buffalo, NY where inspection can be arranged.