Chevrolet produced the Chevy 210 between 1953-1957, with the 1955 model being the start of the second generation. The 1955 Chevy 210 went through redesigns and improvements that buyers and fans of the car went crazy for. This made the ’55 Chevy a huge success for the manufacturer.
Many movies have made celebrities out of the cars almost as much as the actors and actresses. Some of these vehicles ended up with a following of fans who can’t seem to get enough of them. And the 1955 Chevy 210 in American Graffiti, driven by Harrison Ford’s character, Bob Falfa, is one of them.
The 1973 film about high-school friends and their experiences, kick-started careers for many actors and actresses. And it started a new generation’s love for drag racing, the cars, and especially the 1955 Chevy 210.
Here are 15 facts about the American Graffiti ’55 Chevy 210 you may not know….
15 Many Chevy Firsts In The ’55 210
Chevrolet used the 1955 Chevy 210 as a guinea pig, experimenting with “firsts” on the car. It started with the electrical system going from a 6-volt to a 12-volt. Luxury options like air conditioning, power windows and seats, power steering, and power brakes were now offered for the first time.
After being a success in other models in 1918 and 1949, Chevrolet decided to try out a V8 in the ’55 Chevy. The “Chevy Small Block” V8 was powerful, smaller, and lighter than its predecessors. It was all a bit of a risk, but the result was a great success for the manufacturer and the ’55 Chevy 210.
14 Redesign For The 1955 Chevy
Along with the many firsts, designers also put the 1955 Chevy 210 body and trim through a redesign. Body panels became straight and smooth. The windshield went to a wrap-around style which consumers were crazy for.
And safety was not overlooked. Designers increased the size of the post between the front and rear windows. All of the changes were a hit with the buying public and the 1955 Chevy 210 was a great success for Chevrolet.
13 Six Variations
All vehicle models come with different option packages or levels for buyers to choose from. The ’55 Chevy 210 was no different. There were six model options, or variations, to select from on the 1955 Chevy 210. These included a 4 door sedan, 2 door sedan, club coupe, sport coupe, 2 door station wagon, and a 4 door station wagon.
12 Drag Racing
Not sure if Chevrolet planned this, but the redesign completed on the 1955 Chevy 210 resulted in it being perfect for drag racing. This design bonus carried through to the 1956 and 1957 models resulting in the “Tri-Five” name for the three model years. The cars were lightweight, solid, and there was that powerful small-block V8.
Some drag races were kept to the track, and some took place on the street. The Indy 500 also took notice of the redesigned ’55 Chevy 210 and had, what they named, “The Hot One” as the Official Pace Car for the 1955 race.
11 Three Chevys
Just like human actors having stand-ins, or stunt doubles, vehicles in movies sometimes require the same. Movie producers will “order” more than one vehicle to have as a back-up, or for specific scenes. American Graffiti producer, Gary Kurtz, was no different.
A total of three cars were used to shoot the movie. Two had starred previously in another of Kutz’s movies, Two-Lane Blacktop. The third one was discovered in a salvage yard, used in one scene as the “burn” car, and then returned to the salvage yard. The remaining two were sent for “disposal”.
10 Year The Starring Chevy’s Were Built
You would think that when watching the cars in the movie American Graffiti, they were actually cars from the 1950s... Surprise, think again.
We know that two of the cars used in the movie were actually built in 1970 for another movie, Two-Lane Blacktop. They were pulled out of studio storage, repainted black, and sent off to star in American Graffiti.
9 First Movie Appearance
American Graffiti was actually not the first movie for the 1955 Chevy 210s to star in. They had been built specifically for producer Gary Kutz’s movie Two-Lane Blacktop. So two years later when American Graffiti started filming, the Chevy 210’s were “seasoned” car actors.
8 Engines Used In The Movie Cars
When the 1955 Chevy’s were being built by Richard Ruth of Competition Engineering, the studio ordered the engines from General Motors. They received a 1969 L-88 427 Chevy big block and two 454’s.
The stunt car received a single four-barrel and a Weiand tunnel ram with dual Holleys was installed on the other two cars. Not quite the same as the original engine, the “Chevy Small Block” V8.
7 The Stunt Car
To add excitement to a movie and keep the viewer’s attention, cars are driven fast or raced. Many times there is the need for a stunt car for any crash or damaging scenes.
The stunt car for American Graffiti was fitted with a roll bar. The scene called for the Chevy to roll over after swerving to avoid another car. But the stunt Chevy never rolled and was just driven off the road.
6 Originally Powder Blue
When the three ’55 Chevys were built for their first movie appearance in Two-Lane Blacktop, Richard Ruth had painted them powder blue. This was not favored for the movie, so the studio had the cars redone in a grey primer to suit the character dragsters racing the cars in the movie. When the Chevys were starring in American Graffiti, the cars were painted yet again. This time the shiny black we are familiar with.
5 Motor “Voice-Over” In Another Movie
Typically you hear of actors and actresses doing “voice-overs” for characters in a cartoon or animated movie. But a car’s motor doing a voice over for another car??
Another famous movie car is the Trans Am in the Smokey and the Bandit movie. Apparently the motor sounds we heard were actually not from the Trans Am. The motor sounds were dubbed in from the 454 of one of the Chevy’s that starred in Two-Lane Blacktop and American Graffiti.
4 1955 Chevy Stand-In
A Chevy was needed as a “stand-in” for one scene in the movie. A ’55 Chevy was found at a salvage yard to be set up for shooting one scene. It was dubbed the “burn” car as it was just set in place for a rollover and fire. The car was towed in for the scene and returned to the salvage yard when filming was completed.
3 American Graffiti Chevy Sold
Out of the three Chevys used in American Graffiti, only one avoided the crusher. This lone survivor has also been through the hands of a number of owners since filming completed.
A studio employee took two of the Chevys, selling one to a stock car racer and keeping one for himself. The stock car racer's Chevy ended up getting crushed. The other one sat for a number of years, then went through a number of different owners. The last reported owner is a collector from Maryland who completed a number of modifications on the Chevy for car shows.
2 Modified 1955 Chevy 210
Movie cars have a variety of things happen to them after filming. Some are put into storage, some put on display, and some are sold off. Depending on the buyer, they may leave the movie car as it was in the movie, or they may choose to modify the heck out of it leaving just a few noticeable points about it from the movie.
The Chevy car received some major modifications over the years following the movie. Modifications like the trunk lid attached to the car, the car’s frame, axle and suspension, and the interior getting a revamping.
1 Many Clones Followed Suit
Some fans become so obsessed with a car they just have to have one. The original car may not be available or be way out of a fan’s budget. So the next best thing is a replica or a clone of their favorite car.
There are many clones of the 1955 Chevy 210 from American Graffiti. Some are used for leisurely driving, some for drag racing, and some are just for car shows. Doesn’t matter which purpose the car is for, the owner is just excited to own their own piece of movie history.
Sources: eastcoastdragtimeshalloffame.com, unofficialamericangraffiti.weebley.com, hagerty.com