If you've ever seen a 1955-57 Chevy classic car and wondered what its original specifications were, there's one way to find out for certain: examine the VIN plate and the trim tag. These two pieces of metal were riveted onto the body of all Tri Five Chevy vehicles, and each provides some valuable information on the way they looked when they left the GM assembly line back in the 1950s. Read on to learn how to use our 1955-57 Chevy VIN decoder and trim tag decoder to find out more about your own '55-57 Chevy, or one you're thinking about buying and restoring.

Many who are new to the classic car world have wondered, "what is a Tri Five Chevy?" The nickname Tri Five is used to represent a specific set of classic Chevrolet vehicles, namely the iconic 1955, '56, and '57 Chevrolet cars. This includes the well-known One-Fifty, Two-Ten, Bel Air, and Nomad models, as well as lesser-known sub-models such as the Delray coupe, and Handyman, Townsman, and Beauville wagons. In this article, we'll take a detailed look back at the various configurations, paint codes, and some noteworthy optional accessories for the 1955-57 Chevy Tri Five.

The 1955 - 57 Chevy is one of the most quintessential and beloved American cars of all time. In just three years, Chevrolet changed the course of automotive history with each iteration of the economical 150, elegant 210, and luxurious Bel Air, so it's no surprise that classic car enthusiasts are still enamored with the Tri Five. And more than 60 years later, they're still taking on '55 - 57 Chevy restoration projects to keep these vehicles on the road, with help from parts found in the Classic Industries catalog.

Every classic car restoration project is a journey, and we always enjoy hearing about how our customers' navigated that long road with help from the parts in our catalogs. But being able to see the journey a vehicle went through via photos is even more rewarding. Farley Schrieber, of Ohio, sent us numerous photos documenting the two-and-a-half-year restoration process of his stunning 1956 Chevy Bel Air. This car was restored from the frame up, and now features upgraded suspension and a potent big-block V8.

The 1955-57 Chevy "Tri Five" is an undeniable classic that has remained popular and desirable across generations of automotive enthusiasts. Its sleek lines and elegant curves look just as good today as they did at Chevrolet dealers more than six decades ago. As time passes, it brings new trends, and the Tri Five has been adapted to fit many of them, from gassers to hot rods to modern pro-street or pro-touring builds. And of course, many of these vehicles have been restored to original condition or lightly resto-modded to fit the owner's taste.

Christmas has come and gone, and the jolly bearded guy clad in red and white has returned to his North Pole abode once more. We know his traditional method of transportation is a flying sleigh and pack of reindeer, but a customer recently stopped by our Retail Showroom in a vehicle that looks like it'd be a fitting four-wheeled alternative for Mr. Claus. Rudolph and his pals can take some time off, because this red and white two-tone '56 Bel Air forgoes reindeer-power in favor of good old horsepower.

Modifying production cars into race machines is nothing new. Ever since the automobile was invented, enthusiasts, tinkerers, and adrenaline junkies have been figuring out creative ways to squeeze every last drop of performance out of these four-wheeled conveyances. However, many distinct build styles have stemmed from this mission. In the late 1950s and early '60s, the "gasser" style grew in popularity, especially among the 1955-57 Tri Five Chevy models. Even today it remains instantly recognizable. This 1955 Chevy gasser is a beautiful example of this historically-significant hot rod category.

In the automotive world, it's not easy to find a balance between form and function. This is why we often see concept cars with ambitious and artistic designs that are gradually toned down to make them more livable on a daily basis. After all, a beautiful vehicle is less than ideal if it's not remotely practical or enjoyable to drive. However, the Chevrolet Nomad is one of the best examples we've seen of the perfect coalescence of form and function.

You've probably heard of the Chevy Nomad, a unique and iconic two-door wagon body style that was available only as a Tri-Five Chevy Bel Air model. The two-door Nomads are so well-known that some classic car fans will mistakenly refer to all Bel Air wagons by that name. However, aside from the two-door Nomad, there was also a four-door Bel Air wagon body style. This 1957 Bel Air wagon belongs to Dan Naughton, of San Clemente, California.

After decades of hard work, retirement can provide a welcome period of relaxation and time to pursue hobbies. But Ron Keller, of Huntington Beach, California, wanted more than to spend his retired days on the golf course. Instead, he decided to take on a long-term restoration project for one of his all-time favorite classic cars: the 1957 Chevy Bel Air.