AMERICAN GRAFFITI TRIBUTE VIDEO! -1955 CHEVY HISTORY - CLASSIC CAR GRAVEYARD

This is a 1955 Chevrolet. Otherwise known as a 55 Chevy.
The same "Type" of Car from American Graffiti!
This one is rusting away at a huge Classic Car Graveyard called French lake Autoparts. But come with me as I explore more of this Amazing Junkyard and all the Cars and Trucks it has to offer.
Today we are looking at the 1955 Chevy.
This was the same make that was used in the movie American Graffiti. The car Harrison Ford drove to try and beat John Milner in an epic drag race that has lived on forever.
This of course is not the actual car that was in the movie, this is just a 1955 Chevy. The car Harrison Ford drove was actually a 2dr post which is a different model, but still a 1955 Chevy.
History of the 1955 Chevy,
Classic Car History,
1955 Classic Cars,
1955 Chevy.
Junkyard Cars,
Classic Car Graveyard,
Junkyard Stories,
Classic Car Stories,
Classic Cars,
Cars from American Graffiti,
FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Twitter - / mattsradshow
Instagram - / mattsradshow
Facebook - / mattsradshow
Cylinder Four by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: chriszabriskie....
Artist: chriszabriskie....

[@steves5113]

Good job, bro. I'm 46, I grew up w/ my dad being the president of the Nifty 50's. My family is steeped in the brew of tri year Chevy's. If the old man was still alive, he'd be stoked about what you created. I'm still cruising a 55 pickup.

[@MattsRadShow]

Thanks man. Appreciate it!

[@kennethkuykendall7364]

That Chevy emblem high beam indicator light on the dash is one of my favorite things about the 55 Chevy. I have had the same 55 Chevy since 1972.

[@austx290]

I think I'm going to watch American Graffiti tonight! Great movie.

[@sylvainleseur1072]

Great video, part of movies and music, thanks to share.

[@richcountyratrodsjrod2329]

Goosebumps. I just got the thx California license plate for Christmas.

[@chickinpickin1]

Well done Sir! Enjoyed it very much.

[@bobsilver3983]

56 and 7's are very cool, but the 55 Chevy 210 2 door post is the car to have!

[@themichaelvortex4784]

One of my favorites... the movie and the car! Great stuff! Thanks Matt!!👍🏼🤘🏼😎

[@bigrr64]

Such a beautiful car told in such a beautiful way thank you for the great video.

[@randykirchhevel7311]

My Dad has a 58 Ford Fairlane 500 2 door Hardtop big block FE 390. Black with white and red interior. Love the car.

[@MattsRadShow]

BEFORE YOU CORRECT THIS VIDEO... Harrison Ford drove a 1955 Chevy 150 sedan. 2dr post. Not the hardtop style in this video. Same year, different model. I am talking about 55 chevys in general in this video. I honestly didnt think anybody would even think this was the actual car in the movie, but apparently people are still trying to find the 55 that was wrecked, and thought this might be it. Lol. Oops. My bad. This is definitly NOT the car. Its just a cool 55 chevy that I wanted to highlight "like" the one in American Graffiti. The actual 55 chevy Ford drove was the same car used prior, in the movie "Two Lane Black Top". Though the car that was "burned" ive read actually was a hardtop like the one in this video that they made up to look like the 2dr post. So if thats true, then, this car is like the one burned in the movie, but not driven in the movie.

[@sharonstaples8666]

MattsRadShow would like to say while its true the 55 was a post car , the one that was wrecked was rumored to be a hardtop that was flipped designed to look like the post 55 . Anyway great info and thanks from a American Graffiti fan from the age of 5 who watched it at the StarLite Drive Inn in my Uncles little blue nova which by the way had a rep at the time AHHH MEMORIES

[@guthrieoklahomachannel1]

You are correct, the one that was crashed in the movie was indeed a two door hard top disguised as a two door sedan!

[@lauranpall5376]

I started to correct you about the difference between a hardtop and a sedan, but I see you did that already. My dad and uncle drag raced both 55's and 57's. I liked your video. Milner would have won. It's sad how the Milner character dies...

[@lonniekeefer8427]

James Taylor, Brian Wilson and Warren Oates , if you just like to watch for the cars it's a good movie other than that the acting kinda blows

[@mrchevy70]

Yes, it is really sad the way they killed Milner. @@lauranpall5376

[@TampaJay]

This is awesome man - great movie

[@vincebayfield3247]

Check out the movie 2 lane black top, it came out before American graffiti, the 55 Chevy in that movie was used for American graffiti, 454 big block with a tunnel ram, singer James Taylor was the driver and Brian Wilson was the car's mechanic, awesome movie.

[@gregfair1749]

Great video!!! No car today will ever match the look and feel of a classic!!! The '55 is one of the best of the best!!!!

[@markart6421]

Great video you gotta love it.

[@DrewBlack-hq2pk]

Mate, your channel deserves way more subs. Glad I stumbled on it via the VW film you done. Love the air coolerd dubs. I've really enjoyed your film around the old skool yard. Sadly no more over here (SE England) due to Health and Bollocks. Also like your films of shops etc we don't get over here! Keep em coming fella!

[@trax3d]

Man, loving your car vids!!! One of the best movies ever!!!

[@tierone4761]

Back in the days when Adam-12 was on tv each week, I don’t remember what season it was unfortunately, but there was a scene where they were in a pursuit & the bad guy stopped his car & took off on foot. Then as Malloy &!Reed we’re searching the area in their patrol car, they came around the side of this big warehouse type building & sitting there parked next to the building was the ‘55 Chevy from “Two Lane Blacktop” . The hood scoop on the fiberglass tilt front end was a dead giveaway, no way you could miss that! So the building may have been a warehouse on a studio lot where props & vehicles were kept. This episode I think was in the early 1970’s, so it would make sense for that ‘55 to still be around. Good Day Everyone!

[@bobsilver3983]

Thats funny you said that...3 years ago my wife and I watched all the Adam-12 seasons and I saw that also!

[@NorthSideCustomRC]

The 55 from American Graffiti was originally built for and used in Two Lane Blacktop

[@donshotrodgarage1717]

Great video Matt!

[@MattsRadShow]

Thanks Don! 😎👍

[@mikepoint4983]

I stumbled across this video and must say I enjoyed your video . The 1955 Chevy is my absolute dream car . Cheers

[@ghiatool]

This is a rad show Matt! Awesome love this movie, great job!!

[@billysmith5721]

great video i remember those days.

[@Mr.HydesPopCultureExpress]

They just don;'t make them like they use too. Classic!

[@johnwade5747]

You have a clip in your video of the 55..,It was a post body.The car in the junk yard is a hardtop.(no post between side windows) Hardtops have more metal between trunk lid and rear window,making them more'coupe-looking',And are harder for tall guys to fit into .

[@allengordon4070]

They sure don't make em like they used to. Sad to see an era slowly disappear. These were not just cars, they told stories about where they've been and how over time they've become iconic rides or were lost in time. Glad i still have my 55 chevy truck. They don't make em lime they used to.

[@llg3pe]

Allen Gordon Amen to that

[@westtexan2263]

Thanks to Gary Kurtz, who was involved with both movies, the same “Two Lane Blacktop” Chevy appeared in “American Graffiti.” He took the primer flat black '55 from “Two-Lane” and converted it into the shiny black '55 used in “Graffiti” and driven by Harrison Ford.Jun 16, 2014

[@edhawk4737]

I would love to find a scrap yard that had the 1950's cars, I love the 55 and 57 2 door sedans,

[@TommyRibs]

Of the tri-5 Chevys, 1955 is my personal favorite, and I kind of prefer the Post Car to the hard top, I am sure because of American Graffiti. They had a few 55 Chevy’s in that movie. One had a 427 with 4.88 gears, the other had a 454 with 4.88 gears. These are still iconic in the year 2020.

[@Joetrout]

I kind of like the 56 has a little of the 55 and 57 mixed in.

[@bobsilver3983]

I love all the 3 years, and the 55 210 2 door post is one of my personal top 10 cars of all time...I just bought one last weekend.

[@Duececoupe]

Stumbled across, watched, liked and subscribed!! 🤘🏻✊🏻👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻😎

[@before1984soul]

Awesome Vlog Matt! May friend still owns their 55' since we were kids.

[@maryrichards8086]

Thumbs up Matt:) 👍👍👍

[@Mr1crazy1]

Another great video matt! Keepin it radical!

[@darrelavery9809]

That 55 appeared in Two Lane Blacktop the year before. Just a few small changes in appearance like black paint. What a honey.

[@toddnash7194]

At 56 yrs old. I can remember when it came out. My dad took us to the drive in to see it ( in his 67 396 4 spd chevelle ) we always had a drag car or something. He had 55 when him and mom married. Then a 57 he raced. When I was born they had 63 ss impala. Of course when it was time for my teens I had 68 camro. Then 70 ss chevelle. Then big block 4 spd nova. Still have toys lost dad in 2001. Always wanted to do a 57. Or 63 for him.

[@randykirchhevel7311]

55,56,57,58, and 59 Fords were neat looking cars. 57 Ford 2 door post 300 short wheel base turned into a gasser with a 427 SOCH engine. I like 58 Ford hood with a small hood scoop. 55,56 will share some of the same parts 57,58 will share some of the same parts. 59 is pretty much a one year by its self.

[@josieunderpantz8319]

Would like to see u do a Cabela's trip in Albert Lee min my family and i enjoy watching your fun Adventures thankyou for all you do 😎😎😎

[@lacepaws499]

Awesome!

[@alreason]

55 chevy and 32 ford what a pair . both cool dont you agree

[@lost_in_crazyland97]

Pretty cool Matt! New subscriber

[@gregorylopez3155]

Cool vid

[@francispotter5300]

What happened to G M C , l had a 57 four door Belair i restored in the 80's , lot of fun to drive thanks for your videos Doug in Ga 9

[@TheMultikitty8]

very cool

[@Michiganderman71]

I so loved that movie i was very lucky to meet bo hopkins an candy clark great video matt hope one day you an i can meet up an collab

[@25FIREBALL]

I met them also in Greenville il at a 4th of july car show--got their autographs along with Richard dryfus on a AG hotwheels set

[@mrchevy70]

I also have met Bo Hopkins and Candy Clark. They were at Somernites cruise, in Somerset, Ky. About 35 miles from my house!

[@MrNostalgiabuff]

Still some good dry sheet metal on that 55

[@ronaldbrowne7584]

Screwdrivers hot rod club FB gives a big thumbs up !

[@nintendolunchbox]

What I realized from these types of videos you make is the jr high school book reports we had to do finally have become useful practice for you.

[@MattsRadShow]

Haha. Also, you got extra credit for those if you made a visual aid. I feel my videos would count as extra credit.

[@kolejohnson73]

Figured it was FLAP, you got me at first, there is a mostly classic Chevy yard by Denver, Co called "American Graffiti". If your looking for a forest of classics, check out "Spots" just outside of Waverly, MN. I took a friend from the Netherlands there and he nearly died when he saw all the old iron.

[@BondeSmith]

Very cool Matt! 👍 Where is this salvage yard at? Is it here in Minnesota? I sure would Love to find a 1969 0r a 1970 Impala 2 door Custom Coupe to fix up. :)

[@ninja63639]

Now that blue '53 or '54 that you see through the window is a cool car

[@dustracoma9667]

Great tribute video man, do one on a chevy2 62-67

[@CallmeDaBreeze1971]

I have the American Graffiti soundtrack on vinyl.

[@bighoudini6130]

Me too

[@deliveryguyrx]

I've got it on 8-track and cassette.

[@smartscratcheastmidlands6589]

Milner says he was losing the race but he wasn't and was ready for the lead, proves the Chevy want even on Milners level what he did to that car and was stable.

[@chrisgleis2821]

Cool asf

[@firstchoice9335]

movie car was a sedan one hes looking at in yard is a hardtop one of the graffiti cars was used in 2 lane blacktop . when they did the rollover scene they had to physically roll car over .. nice video

[@7s29]

It's sad to see these beautiful carscars the bone yard.

[@MattsRadShow]

Agreed. Thats why I wanted to give them some love by making these videos.

[@RhettyforHistory]

So really it was the Ford Falcon that changed the movie industry forever! Get it? Ahh never mind.

[@MattsRadShow]

I see what you did there. Lol

[@Joetrout]

Whats crazy i read a story from a universal studios worker that after the movie they offered three movie cars the 32,55 and the pharaohs merc. and no one was interested! Then the 32 sat for years as a attraction until universal had a silent bid an a guy named steve from kansas won the bid. He also had found an had purchased the 55! Both now with different owners

[@mickeydee3595]

HEY! You know a guy around here with a piss yellow deuce coupe? Supposed to be hot stuff!

[@earlfullwiler3604]

People leaving comments on here about how they would take a Ford over a Chevy any day of the week. My question is, why are you watching a Chevy video then?

[@timmullens9479]

I owned a shoebox in 72 with a 265 3on floor high lift cam -drag car (class winner) -sold it to come up with scratch -to get married. I no longer have the girl either. Miss the car ,still.

[@llg3pe]

So where is this Shangri-La located?

[@aaronhollingsworth6808]

Actually the car without the front clip was like the one in American graffiti, 55 Chevy 210, the one you was setting in was a hardtop no post and the back window is smaller

[@mdaox562]

Where is this junkyard?

[@robertstevenson1179]

Ok.. Thats a 55 BelAir "hardtop"... The car used in AG and Two lane Blacktop was a 150 Sedan. 2 door post car...

[@roaenokesyzlak7828]

"Those are some strong words commin from someone driving round in a field car." Field car? say whats a field car? "Oh a field car is what they use out in the fields, to drop cow shit so the grass will grow."

[@kimsieben9502]

in the 70s there was an abandoned 55 2dr sedan in the vacant horse field across my house, car was complete except the engine..............if only............

[@a.t.martino4337]

I have the American Graffiti paperback (rare).

[@izzynutz2000]

I've had a 55 + 56 + 57 + 58+ 59 and a 60...

[@rebzdomine]

Can you do the same review on the ' 70s car?

[@johnmoorhousedecorated-nam899]

The cheaper model (Sedan w/ post) went on to be the more favorite, cut wheel wells

[@chriscornelius27]

Were is that junkyard

[@MattsRadShow]

French Lake Autoparts in Minnesota.

[@josieunderpantz8319]

is that the same junkyard where Christine was stored? wonder if she's still there 😎

[@MattsRadShow]

Haha. I think I saw a smashed up old car block that was playing old music and wiggling slightly.

[@Tiffany.1970]

same Chevy as was in 2 lane blacktop

[@Gen-X-Rising]

A FORD IN A CHEVY?! , ITS USUALLY THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

[@MattsRadShow]

Must be talking about the trusty family truckster Wagon Queen!

[@ronnorman7862]

if the 55 had not blown the tires off he would have smoked the 32 watch the beginning.

[@guthrieoklahomachannel1]

For sure, the 55 would have kicked some ass with a driver 10-4?

[@jimh712]

Considering 1 of the 55s had a 427ci motor the other 2 had 454ci motors For the movie

[@jimh712]

@Tobby Martin You read a different site than i did

[@Joetrout]

Nope the 32 was way lighter pretty much a street legal dragster!

[@Joetrout]

Tobby Martin it was a 427 not 454 with a olds rear end and 4.88’s

[@randykirchhevel7311]

The one that you showed like Toads car is a 58 Delray they look way different then the 58 Impala.

[@bradcarpenter2396]

Where is this place? I'd like to know, I'd buy a 55, 56 Chevy. Please let me know.

[@MattsRadShow]

www.frenchlakeautoparts.com/

[@eddierose8836]

Ron. Is. Right. 55 had. That32. Off. Line. But. I. Love. Old. Junk yards

[@zwild1160]

What are you talking about? Milner has the fastest car no way that 55 was winning.

[@foreverfree6685]

That deuce totally got the shoebox off the line

[@kd-jj1rn]

The reality is that 55 would have eaten up the yellow 32, no question about it that is actually the same car they used in the movie two-lane Blacktop believe it's a big block dual carb probably 600 plus horse easy, but there's no way that that burned-out shell is the same car that was in the movie highly unlikely

[@tjport1980]

Kris Duboy Yep. The Guy who built the 55 Chevys for two lane blacktop was told to build them just like his own race car. The 32 had a stock 283 with a Man- a- free intake with four carbs on it.

[@justinfalk8843]

So sad to see the 55 going to waste

[@ludicrous7044]

If the 55 /56 were so great: Why did GM change them? 🤷‍♂️😖🤔

[@michaelgeorge8671]

Harrason Ford never drove the chevy in either drag race and the car that raced survived thanks to the fact that they could not roll it.the trashed car in the movie came from a local wrecker.

[@Tiffany.1970]

bet that Chevy cud tell a few stories if it cud talk ie history where it's been etc great looking 55 Chevy

[@joecucch8261]

Wassa matter, couldn't find a 32 coup to drool over ?

[@jessenorris9951]

so the 55 in movie that flipped look to be a 210 and had cut rear wheel wells this car does not seem to fit that character of the scene of the movie? still a really cool badass please and a car that still has a lot of character it looks like

[@johnkarpuchin8200]

You are very correct ! The ' 55 in American Graffiti was a 2-door post ,,, One Fifty model , the one Matt is showing is a 2-door hardtop ( no post ) Bel-Air by the looks of it . Love '55's ,,, had one in high school in 1975-77 . 😎👍👍👍

[@archiebunker6059]

If James Taylor would've been driving the 55 he'd smoked Milner. Two Lane Blacktop.

[@curtismcquiston3192]

The best no bullshit 55 badass car two lane blacktop better than America graffiti

[@gregfair1749]

Oh, where's this auto salvage yard btw????

[@MattsRadShow]

French Lake Autoparts, Mn.

[@gregfair1749]

@@MattsRadShow thank you

[@MattsRadShow]

@@gregfair1749 yep. Cool place.

[@DAMNEDENGINEERS]

Maybe it's the GoatHead Killer?.

[@cew142]

Oh yeah! Harrison had paul in the race...

[@chevyone5512]

At the light he was ahead but at paradise road milner was ahead plain to see when the 55 crashed the 55 was losen

[@kinzieconrad105]

That car is worth about $700

[@kmcwhq]

That car is worth about $7.00 .......fixed it for ya.

[@merc-ni7hy]

i'll take a black and white 55 ford crown vic over any 55 chevy ...all day long

[@plymouth-hl20ton37]

390merc 66 judging by one thumbs up that means two losers think the same

[@bigblockstang9368]

The bow tie has been stuck in some people azz es for a long time, Ford out sold Chevrolet especially in 1957. And magazines like hot rod for over 50yrs were only interested in promoting gm ., But it is what it is ,It's always fun though to roll in with a tricked out 50s Ford and steal the show,I know I own a 57 Ford 2dr Victoria gasser.even had hard core Chev lovers tell me they don't like fords but they told me they loved my 57.

[@gilberry8093]

I'll take back my pink and white 55 crown I drove all thru high school.

[@blairberg1081]

@@plymouth-hl20ton37 chevy wasn't the only car maker that took the 50s by storm in terms of styling. Ford had plenty of style as well especially the 57 ford fairlane 500 with those big round tail lights and the long rear end. Don't get me wrong chevy made great cars at the same time. But they arnt the only ones. And the y block ford motor sounds better than any small block chevy motor of the time

[@danbasta3677]

@@bigblockstang9368 What's even better looking is the 58 Ford, love the recessed front lights, and the taillights on those cars. I'm more of a Ford fan than a Chevy fan. Chevy is allright, just overrated. Fords rule!

[@orlandonostagiafever1964]

He was going to pass him when he hit third.

[@Joetrout]

Nope the 32 was too lite! The 55 would of ran out of gear

[@orlandonostagiafever1964]

In real life they tried it like four times the 55 would pass him , they tried it in the boulevard scene.

[@Joetrout]

Marcus Rodriguez i heard the opposite from the story i read in the early 90’s from the guy from kansas that bought them both. Said with slicks the 32 was quicker. That was the first thing people would ask him. The 32 was just way lighter.

[@orlandonostagiafever1964]

Probably out of the hole with 327 since it was lighter ,the 55 was 427 .

[@bodarville7860]

Always thought the 55 was cooler than the 32 in the movie.

[@robertmartin2387]

I'm pretty sure that George Lucas still owns every car featured in that movie

[@55chevytruck]

no he does not

[@christopherwalton5445]

He doesn't

[@tjport1980]

Nope. All the cars were put up for sale but only the Edsel and the 58 Impala sold. I believe the 58 Impala was bought by a High School kid as his first car. I think Jeff Beck owns the 32 coupe now.

[@Joetrout]

tjport1980 the impala was bought by some teenager at the time in north california an still owns it to this day. He bought it from a ad that lucas had posted himself after the movie. He is a Vietnam vet in his 70’s now. At one time they had offered the three movie cars the 32, 55 and the mercury and no one was interested! Then the 32 sat in universal studios until they had a silent bid an a guy named steve from kansas bought the 32 an had the 55. Both now have different owners.

[@orlandonostagiafever1964]

Sandblast it !! Epoxy !! Lol

[@25FIREBALL]

wrong--the chevy in this video is a freaking HARD TOP--Bob Falfas car was a sedan--I had several 55=56=n 57 dirt track cars that I won a butt load of races with around the st.louis mo. area tracks in the 60s and 70s--@72 I am still driving a UMP A MOD-and one of these days the 56 2 door handy mans special STATION WAGON I have stashed in my barn may hit the street===one more thing--the car they rolled in the movie had a automatic tranny--and I think it was a 4 door

[@MattsRadShow]

Yep, ive been corrected. Thanks for the info. Cool you used to race.

[@25FIREBALL]

@@MattsRadShow USED TO RACE?@72 I plan on climbing back in my UMP A-MOD-@ highland speedway-did enjoy the video thanks for posting

[@marcelfeierabend8276]

sadly what is happening with heroes ...

[@BlackCrowFilms]

Great little film. Where did you find all these old cars? I'm in the UK, all we have here is old Brit tin haha. I'm a fan of the 55 myself and I own one. I've also visited the camera car from two lane black top. You can see a video of that one here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaCvdISNgNmfY9k