About The Corvette

    

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Corvette: Year By Year

    
  

1955 Specs

More About the 1955 Corvette
1955 Corvette C1 at Barrett Jackson auction. Color: Gypsy Red

1955 Corvette C1 at Barrett Jackson auction. Color: Gypsy Red

Close1955 Corvette C1 at Barrett Jackson auction. Color: Gypsy Red

Body Specs

Wheelbase:    102 inches
Front Track:    56.70 inches
Rear Track:    58.80 inches
Length:    167.00 inches
Width:    72.24 inches
Height (at Windshield):    48.50 inches
Turning Circle:    36.55 feet (right); 36.93 feet (left)
Steering ratio:    16:1
Shipping Weight:
(fuel and water not included)
   2695 lbs. (Six Cylinder); 2665 lbs. (V8)
(No Radio / Heater)
Axle Ratio:    3.55:1
Tire Size:    6.70-15 4 Ply Rating


V8 Engine Specs

Type:    V8
Valve Location:    In Head
Bore / Stroke:    3.750 / 3.00
Displacement:    265 Cubic Inches
Compression Ratio:    8.0 : 1
Maximum Brake Horsepower:    195 @ 5,000 RPM
Maximum Torque:    260 lb. ft. @ 3,000 RPM
Crankshaft Material:    Drop Forged Steel
Crankshaft Weight:    47.75 lbs.
Piston Weight:    18.77 oz.
Recommended Idle:    425 (In Drive)
Camshaft Material:    Cast Alloy Iron
Oil Pump Type:    Gear
Normal Oil Pressure:    30 psi @ 1170 - 1200 RPM
Oil Pressure Gauge: Electric
Crankcase Oil Capacity (less filter):    4 Quarts
Recommended Oil Grade:    Above 32°: SAE 20W or 30W
To 10°: SAE 20W
To -10°: SAE 10W
Below -10°: SAE 5W
Fuel Tank:    17.25 Gallons
Fuel Filter:    None
Fuel Pump:    Mechanical
Fuel Pressure:    4 - 5¼ psi
Carburetor:    Carter WCFB 2218S
Cooling System Capacity:
(without heater)
   16 Quarts
Cooling System Capacity:
(with heater)
   17 Quarts
Battery:
(six cylinder engine)
  Delco 15AA6-W (Six volt, 15 plate)
  100 Amp-hour @ 20 hour rate
Battery:
(eight cylinder engine)
  Delco 25M50-W (12 volt, nine plate)
  50 Amp-hour @ 20 hour rate
Ignition System
Coil:    Delco-Remy 1115086
Coil current rating:    4 amps
Breaker Gap:    .016 - .021"
Ignition Timing:    4° BTC @ idle
Ignition Timing
Centrifugal Advance:
   16° @ 1800 RPM
Ignition Timing
Vacuum Advance:
   13 ¾° @ 15" Hg.
Spark Plug:    AC 43-5R
Spark Plug Thread:    14 mm.
Spark Plug Torque:    20 - 25 lb.-ft.
Spark Plug Gap    .033 - .038
Firing Order:    1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

1955 Corvette Options

RPO Description Production    Price
100 Directional Signal 700 (100.00%) $16.75
101 Heater 700 (100.00%) $91.40
102A AM Radio, Signal Seeking 700 (100.00%) $145.15
290B Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15 n/a $26.90
313 Powerglide Automatic Transmission n/a $178.35
420A Parking Brake Alarm 700 (100.00%) $5.65
421A Courtesy Lights 700 (100.00%) $4.05
422A Windshield Washers 700 (100.00%) $11.85

Total Production: 700
Convertible: 700 (100.00%)

Notes: Base Corvette with six cylinder engine: $2,774.00. Qty: 7 | Base Corvette with 265 cu. in. 195 hp V8 engine: $2,909.00. Qty: 693 | All six cylinder 1955 Corvettes came with the Powerglide automatic transmission. Most of the 1955 V8 Corvettes also came with the automatic; towards the end of the model run a three speed manual transmission was available and approximately 75 1955 Corvettes were so equipped.

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior Soft Top Wheels
Polo White 325 (46.43%) Red White/Beige Red
Pennant Blue 45 (6.43%) Dark Beige Beige Red
Corvette Copper 15 (2.14%) Dark Beige White Bronze
Gypsy Red 180 (25.71%) Light Beige White/Beige Red
Harvest Gold 120 (17.14%) Yellow Dark Green Yellow

Notes: Color quantities are estimates as reliable GM records are not available.

1955 Corvette

1953 thru 1955 Photos