Chevrolet Bel Air
Tri-Five 1955–1957
The 1955 to 1957 Bel Air, the cars collectors call the Tri-Five: the new body and V8 of 1955, the 1956 facelift and the finned 1957, with the Nomad wagon in all three years.
Every year
1955Chevrolet Bel AirThe first Tri-Five Bel Air: an all-new body, Chevrolet's first modern V8, six body styles with the Nomad from February, and more Bel Airs built than in either of the next two years.773,238 built (disputed)
1956Chevrolet Bel AirThe facelift: a full-width grille, new side trim with a two-tone panel, the new Sport Sedan four-door hardtop, seven Bel Airs and up to 225 hp.669,053 built (disputed)
1957Chevrolet Bel AirThe last Tri-Five and one of the best-known Chevrolets: fins, a big bumper-grille, 14-inch wheels, the 283 V8 in six versions up to 283 hp with fuel injection, and 702,220 Bel Airs.702,220 built (disputed)Production by year
Cars built per model year. The bars are Over-Drive's rows, with Consumer Guide's 1955 Nomad count; Classic Industries' figures are higher in every year. See the ruling
The numbers as a table
| Year | Built | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 773,238 | Our sum: Over-Drive's five rows plus Consumer Guide's 8,386 Nomads; Classic Industries' rows add to 800,968 (our sum) |
| 1956 | 669,053 | Over-Drive's rows; Consumer Guide 669,064; Classic Industries' rows add to 692,530 (our sum) |
| 1957 | 702,220 | Over-Drive and Consumer Guide alike; Classic Industries' rows add to 720,356 (our sum) |
The bodies and their dimensions1234567
| Body | Wheelbase, in | Length, in | Width, in | Height, in | Weight, lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 115.0 | 195.6 | 74.0 | 60.5 | 3,140–3,370 |
| 1956 | 115.0 | 197.5 | 74.3 | 60.5 | 3,187–3,506 |
| 1957 | 115.0 | 200.0 | 73.9 | 59.9 | 3,232–3,465 |
Length and height are GM's figures for the sedans; the wagons were taller (and in 1955–56 longer), the hardtops and convertible lower. Width is the largest GM gives each year: over the body in 1955, over the front bumpers in 1956 (over the fenders it was 72.5), overall in 1957. Weights are Consumer Guide's ranges for the Bel Air. Over-Drive gives the same wheelbase and lengths, but a width of 72.5 inches in 1955 and 1956 and a 1955 height of 60.4.
The totals and their sources
| Year | Built | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 773,238489 | Our sum: Over-Drive's five rows plus Consumer Guide's 8,386 Nomads; Classic Industries' rows add to 800,968 (our sum) |
| 1956 | 669,053489 | Over-Drive's rows; Consumer Guide 669,064; Classic Industries' rows add to 692,530 (our sum) |
| 1957 | 702,220489 | Over-Drive and Consumer Guide alike; Classic Industries' rows add to 720,356 (our sum) |
Sources
- 1955 Chevrolet – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
- 1956 Chevrolet – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
- 1957 Chevrolet – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
- Chevrolet Bel Air (the 1955–57 pages) HowStuffWorks (Consumer Guide Automotive) · read 2026-10-11
- 1955 Chevrolet Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
- 1956 Chevrolet Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
- 1957 Chevrolet Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
- Chevrolet Full Size Vehicle Production, 1955, 1956 and 1957 (three tables) Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
- 1955-57 Chevy Bel Air, 210, and 150 Production Numbers Classic Industries · read 2026-10-11