A Bike For A Bow-Tie: Tom Brown’s ’55 Chevy

use me lead art

We all know at least one person that tends to get sentimental about a car that used to be theirs. We’ve heard the way they talk about a particular formerly-owned car, and it comes down to one simple thing – they wish they had kept it. Rarely do we come across someone that knew what they had, knew what it was worth, and never let it go.

Tom Brown is the owner and operator of Tom’s Auto Body in Sedro-Wooley, Washington. As a man in the business of fixing cars, he’s owned plenty. But over the years, he has managed to hold onto the one that really matters to him. Check out his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air that he acquired in 1974, before he even had his driver’s license.

12

Storage and family obligations usually cause these cars to get lost, but not this one -Tom Brown

“1974 was a while ago, and storage and family obligations usually cause these cars to get lost, but not this one,” he said. This was the car that sparked his passion for auto body work, and is not only something that means a lot to him, but in a way, has shaped who he is today. Keeping his Chevy this long is a tribute to how important it is to him.

When Tom first found the Chevy, he knew immediately that he wanted it. But as a fifteen year old kid, he unfortunately didn’t have the money to make an offer. Even so, he ended up talking to the father of the guy that owned the car, and learned that the owner was actually about to go to jail. “All I had was my pride-and-joy dirt bike,” Tom explained. He offered to trade, and they made a deal.

A Rough Beginning

When Tom made the trade for the car, it wasn’t exactly in driveable condition. “It was just a shell with some spare parts in the back seat area,” Tom told us. The body was also is what some would consider rough condition, as Tom had to replace the right quarter-panel. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the access to the tools he needed at home.

12001-2

The early years

To fix the body, he found a used quarter-panel, used a torch to remove the old one from the car, and begged his shop teacher to let him use the welding equipment at the school. With the shop teacher’s blessing, he gas welded the new panel onto the Chevy and then took it to a local paint shop. The gentleman was so impressed with Tom’s work that he gave him a job, despite the fact that Tom was only a senior in high school. Luckily, Tom was soon to graduate, because within eight months, he was operating his own business and has been doing so since 1978. “This car is what got me into my career,” Tom told us. “I had done some sanding and masking for friends, but I had never painted a car until this one.”

1200-11

The First Time Around

Not only did this ’55 Chevy receive the first complete paintjob Tom put on a car, but it was also the recipient of his first engine rebuild that he accomplished while he was still in high school. “The auto shop teacher wouldn’t let us do anything other than rebuild it to stock,” Tom explained, “So I had to be careful not to let the shop teacher find out exactly what I was doing to the Chev.”

An old picture of the car not too long after Tom's original repaint on it.

An old picture of the car not too long after Tom’s original first repaint.

Since the car didn’t have an engine, Tom located a 300-horsepower 327 cubic-inch small-block, and installed that in the Chevy with a Muncie four-speed transmission. As a teenaged enthusiast, he had it running great – even if it did show evidence of bodywork and primer all over the car. But like all car guys, 300 horsepower wasn’t enough. “Through some wheeling and dealing, I ended up with this mystery hot-rodded small-block,” Tom detailed. “It turned out to be a 365-horsepower Corvette engine.”

He swapped the engines, and was still able to work on it in the school shop if he quietly coasted the car in and out. He eventually installed a set of Thrush mufflers,  and the first time he started the Chevy in the shop, he was busted. “The shop teacher was pissed,” Tom said. The shop teacher forbade Tom from bringing any hot rod stuff in his shop, and the car was banished to the parking lot.

1200-27

The car was once a shell with some parts in the back. Now it runs a 12.5-second e.t.in the quarter-mile with big-block power.

Currently Speaking

Today, the car is significantly different from the way it was when Tom was in high school. His years of experience have transformed him from a high school student trying to learn, to an artisan that can teach.

No longer does a small-block propel this ride. Power is now handled by a 433 cubic-inch big-block with ported Edelbrock heads, an Isky hydraulic-roller camshaft, and forged TRW pistons. It’s fueled by an Edelbrock cross-ram intake manifold that supports two 600 cfm Holley carburetors. The drivetrain leads into a Turbo 400 transmission with a Hughes 3,200 rpm stall converter, and a 3.73 geared Dana 60 rearend.

According to Tom, the stunning turquoise and white paint you see on the car was actually applied a couple of years ago. The wheels are American Racing Torq Thrusts, measuring 15×4 and 15×10, and Mickey Thompson drag radials supply the grip.

The interior is one thing that hasn’t changed with the Chevy. It’s the same as when Tom first restored it back in 1978, and it has aged well. It presents an authentic older restoration look that holds up well against today’s over-the-top interiors. There have been a few small upgrades though, as over the years he has added aftermarket Auto Meter gauges and a hidden Custom Auto Sound radio. The radio actually fits behind the original radio delete plate.

When Tom initially redid the interior, there was no rear seat, so he just carpeted the area. He liked this business coupe style, so he has kept it ever since.

1200-45

Tom demonstrated the capabilities of his Tri-Five by treating us to an impressive burnout. He kicked up more than a couple of rocks, and left his mark on our little stretch of road.

Looking Forward

So what does the future hold for this car? There is a combination of both performance and comfort additions on the horizon. As far as performance goes, “I need more power,” Tom said. He wants to run an 11.5-second quarter-mile e.t. in street trim, and to help him accomplish that, he has his eyes set on 632 cubic-inches of big-block. As for comfort additions, he is looking forward to having air conditioner someday. “I am getting old,” Tom chuckled.

1200-57

One feature that has stuck with the car since 1978 is the barefoot gas pedal. He has kept that there to retain a little nostalgia, as it adds to the interior’s established older-restoration look.

A Little Reflection

What are some of Tom’s favorite features about his car? Well, much of what he likes is in the performance, and with so much power at his disposal, why wouldn’t it be?  The big-block is the heart of the Chevy, and a big part in what helps it run the 12.5-second quarter-mile times. Tom couldn’t imagine having anything else, “Once you feel the torque of a big-block, and hear the sound of the 3-inch exhaust, why would you want anything less?”

1200-46

We asked Tom as an experienced auto repairman and long-time project owner what his advice would be to someone looking at starting a project. “Buy the best project you can afford,” Tom said. “Stick to it and give it a little time every week. Do a shop night. Keep your receipts, but never add them up. Do it because you want to, and not because of what it is worth.” He also told us not to go at a project blindly: “Find inspiration in a photo or drawing, and hang it up so you thing about it all the time.”

Photo gallery

VIEW FULL GALLERY >

About the author

Kyler Lacey

A 2015 Graduate from Whitworth University, Kyler has always loved cars. He grew up with his dad's '67 Camaro in the garage and started turning wrenches at a young age. At seventeen, he bought his first classic, a '57 Chevy Bel Air four-door, and has since added a '66 Plymouth Valiant and '97 Cadillac Deville to his collection. When he isn't writing for Power Automedia, he's out shooting pictures at car shows, hiking in the forests of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, or working on something in the garage.
Read My Articles

Hardcore Chevys in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Chevy Hardcore, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Chevy Hardcore NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

We'll send you the most interesting Chevy Hardcore articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Chevy Hardcore NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


streetmusclemag
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
dragzine
Drag Racing
enginelabs
Engine Tech

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • streetmusclemag Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • enginelabs Engine Tech

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

chevyhardcore

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Chevy Hardcore - The #1 Performance Bowtie Online Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading