WATT UP: Hemi Powered ’55 Chevy

A Unique Vision for a 1955 Chevy

When Kile Watt decided it was time to buy a ’55 Chevy, his concepts centered on all the unique elements he liked about the ’55. So his plans called for a variety of common, subtle features that follow conventional Tri-Five wisdom—except for one major addition. The approach to the car itself is a given and is what has made the ’55 so popular these days. But rather than opt for some version of Chevy’s venerable small or big block, he decided on something different for a cool and unusual cruiser—his ’55 would be motivated by a different drummer, with a beat that is decidedly Mopar.

A 426 Hemi Under the Hood

We’ll give you a minute to catch your breath, and let the dust clear and tempers subside, from digesting the shock of seeing a 426ci Hemi crammed under the hood of this ’55. Let it sink in, and you may come to appreciate how this novel approach stretches beyond tradition. What Watt has is something you don’t find every day. Even though he could have opted for any one of Chevy’s current crate engines, as so many Ford and Mopar owners have done, Watt did it in reverse.

Choosing the Hemi Powerplant

While a high percentage of builders within the rodding community have opted for Chevy engines to power just about everything, Watt decided on an “against the grain” solution—he chose a Chrysler Hemi for power. Beyond prevailing contrary attitudes, the engine looks great in the car, its performance is impressive, and there’s an uncommon “wow” factor this car now commands. Although many hemispherical alternatives were considered here, including a vintage Chrysler Hemi, the simplest solution turned out to be the most practical.

A Modern Mopar Approach

Rather than deal with the unknowns of someone else’s old engine that would require a complete rebuild, Watt decided instead to tap into the wealth of knowledge made available through Mopar Performance. He chose to use one of the latest renditions of the Hemi, while employing the well-honed skills of Hensley Racing Enterprises to maximize the reliability and capability of his Hemi swap. With his choices, Watt removed all doubts as to the seriousness and his intent, not to mention the capability of his whimsical Walter P. Chrysler.

Performance Upgrades for Power and Reliability

While the proven 426 Hemi crate engine provides a solid foundation, a number of changes were made for the sake of power and durability. The first step involved upgrading longevity with a set of Ross pistons riding Manley H-beam rods on a steel crank. A Comp 0.670-inch-lift roller cam improved breathing through a set of Mopar Performance cylinder heads. Add a Mopar Performance intake manifold fitted with a Demon 625cfm carburetor, an MSD ignition, and a Mike Barrillo custom exhaust system—from the headers back—and you have the makings for some real performance, regardless of the make or model allegiances. And while the ease of an automatic was considered, this car begged to have the gears stirred, so a Richmond five-speed manual transmission was fitted behind a McLeod twin-disc high-performance clutch assembly.

Reinforced Chassis and Suspension

To make sure the older Chevy components would live up to the increased output of the Hemi, the chassis was updated in a number of areas to improve dependability, stability, and ride quality. Bobby Hancock adapted a pair of Heidts dropped spindles, fitted between special tubular A-arms and QA1 coilover shocks, along with Wilwood brakes that fill out 15×4-inch E.T. III rims wrapped in 155/80-15 BFGoodrich rubber. Also, all the welds and seams were smoothed off, as the chassis was readied for paint and detailing. Watt again proved his lack of partiality when he united a Ford 9-inch rear axle assembly with a triangulated four-bar setup, along with another pair of QA1 coilovers and Wilwood brakes. Fitted with Currie axles and 3.55 gears and a Positraction, this setup transmits every bit of the nearly 600 hp.

A Classic Exterior with Hidden Surprises

For those unaware of what lurks beneath the hood, the remainder of this ’55 provides no clues, as the car is very much in line with other ’55 classic perceptions and retains all of its once-classic appeal, right down to the original trim and molding. While the previous owner handled most of the bodywork earlier, a number of changes were still necessary to complete this ’55. The rear wheel wells were opened up with 3-inch bands, making room for larger 285/60-15 BFGoodrich rubber on 16×10 E.T. IIIs rims, more fitting for a ride of this caliber. Once again, Mike Barrillo’s skills were employed to smooth out several areas, while Richard Winstead laid down the simple but refreshing Harvest Gold and India Ivory paint scheme. We also should mention Luke Waddell, as he, too, was pivotal in getting this car just right, especially considering its unusual approach.

A Nostalgic Interior with Custom Touches

As you might have noticed, every aspect of this car’s visual originality has been meticulously maintained, despite a license plate reading “HEMI 55” and the array of window decals mirroring traditional approaches that are a part of this car’s character. The same can be said for the interior, which also borrows from the past in making a strong statement. Everything about these surroundings, from the race-inspired gas pedal, to the Long shifter, to the Moon tach mounted left-center of the ’59 Impala steering wheel, takes us back in time. Then there’s the personal touch of a center-mounted auxiliary panel displaying Stewart Warner gauges that was built by Watt’s father some 40 years ago.

Classic Style Meets Modern Performance

On the softer side, Steve Holcomb laid out the dark green leather seating and side panels, beautifully framed between a matching headliner and wool carpet that completes the low-key feel. A similar theme follows in the trunk, where a matching nitrous-oxide bottle remains almost unnoticed until the proverbial pedal hits the metal. Bobby Hancock laid out the wiring and did an expert job, as this ’55 never misses a beat on the road.

A Timeless Chevy with a Mopar Twist

The best thing about this cool and unusual ’55 is that, unless the hood is opened, or someone’s mouth is flapping about what it has for power, few will realize that, aside from this classic being visually historic in every way, its Hemi Mopar power recalls those great days of early drag racing when almost anything went. But that was the ’50s and ’60s, and today this effort makes for one special Chevy.