classic car

Franklin & Tammy Lindsey's
1955 Chevrolet
210 two-door post

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED
BY Dean MacDonald

Recently, while he was returning from a day of golf, local resident and hot rod enthusiast Franklin Lindsey spotted a 1955 Chevrolet 210 two-door post for sale on the outskirts of Lancaster.

When Franklin found this car, it literally stopped him in his tracks–not only had he been looking for a nostalgic “letter car” to purchase, but he also had a strong interest in 1955 Chevrolets. This particular car was exactly what he had been looking for.

Not exactly knowing what he had found, Franklin bought the car, took it home, and then it all became very interesting.

“I’ve been told that this is an original Lancaster car,” Franklin said, “that was sold new from the old Starksen Chevrolet dealership. The car, once owned by Ted Granger and Ron Paradiso, has had a lot of Antelope Valley history at the former LACR (Los Angeles County Raceway) in Littlerock, as well as at other Southern California drag strips.”

Franklin went on to say that since owning the car, he has found it very exciting hearing all the stories about the ’55 Chevy’s past. “Many people have sparked an interest in working on the Chevy,” Franklin said, “and I’d like to thank everybody who has worked on the car such as Jack’s, Wayne & Dave’s, D&D Muffler and D&D Paintless Fix.”

Franklin and Tammy are longtime AV residents and have raised three daughters. The entire family of five is in the medical field. Both Tammy and Franklin work at Antelope Valley Hospital. Tammy has been a registered nurse for 16 years, and Franklin, who works in radiology, conducts CT scans and X-rays. “After graduating from AV High School,” said Franklin, “I started out sanding cars, installing chain-link fencing, then selling cars for well-known AV automobile dealership owner Ricky Clutter, and finally moved into the radiology field.” The couple’s three daughters are also in the medical field: Jessica, the eldest, works at High Desert Medical Group as a medical assistant; Monica just graduated as a licensed vocational nurse; and Brianna, the youngest, is attending Antelope Valley College and doing the prerequisites for the RN program.

Since owning the Chevy, Franklin’s main goal is to be able to drive the car on either the street or the track–(he does not trailer the car anywhere)–and to that end he has put street legal tires on the rear, installed copper header gaskets, a new four-row Danchuk radiator and electric fan for better cooling, a driver’s door mirror, and a nostalgic Covico steering wheel.

The classic 1955 Chevrolet 210 two-door post is powered by a 350 cubic-inch small-block engine with 11:1 pistons, roller rockers with steel girdles, Pink rods, aluminum heads, a Holly carb fed by a high-volume fuel pump, and ceramic headers. Starting chores are handled by a state-of-the-art MSD Digital 6 electronic ignition.

This potent power plant is bolted up to a Turbo 400 Hydramatic, manual valve body transmission with a big clutch set-up that has a button on the shifter that won’t allow the engine to rev more than 4,000 rpm. The transmission is coupled to an “old school” Oldsmobile positraction rear end with 4:88 (quarter-mile) gears.

The upholstery, including the black velour “big-as-a-couch” bench front seat, black loop carpet, black vinyl headliner and door panels, was artfully installed by Santos, a renowned local craftsman. For the final touch, the ’55 Chevy rolls on little and big tires (“skinnies” on the front; “meats” on the rear), which are mounted on old-style Cragar rims.

“The previous and most-recent owner,” said Franklin, “was Gary Rindisbacher, and a large part of the building of the car’s recent remods was done by Doobie. I really have to give a big round of applause to Doobie and Gary for putting a bullet-proof, nostalgic runner together–this is a very strong car!” Also, said Franklin, a lot of his friends who know the car and like it just the way it is, have threatened to stop talking to him if he changes anything on it!

Franklin went on to say that he has had a lot of classics in the past but this Paradiso 1955 Chevrolet is the first car that his wife, Tammy, has taken an interest in and wanted to drive–and Franklin has showed her how.

Franklin and Tammy also wish to thank Peter Torres for all the fine photos that he has taken of the car.