(Editor’s note: This car feature on one of our favorite cars we have ever seen on the salt, Bob Johnson’s incredible 1955 Chevy. After this story was written Bob ended up running 202 in the thing. This rules!) Bob Johnson is a character. Not only does he always have something funny to say, but he also has bitchin cars, strong opinions, and a knack for bringing slightly strange cars out to Bonneville in the pursuit of more records. And if the company you keep is the measure of a man, Bob is a big boy. With friends like Keith Dorton, Alan and Angie Johnson, Kent Waters, etc. it’s easy to see why. So when we saw Bob’s “new” 1955 Chevy waiting patiently at Course 4 for it’s turn at the salt, we knew we had to shoot it. Once we found out the rest of the story, all we wanted to do was drive it.
Originally built by Hot Rods by Dean, this one was yellow and grey and had a great look, but Bob wanted more. With the help of Kent Waters, and some encouragement from Johnsons Hot Rods, the car got some upgrades in the roll cage and seat, along with addition cooling volume, a quick engine freshen up, a lowering job and new colors.
What you can’t see is the fact that each and every panel on the car was treated, painted or powder coated, and then clear coated because Bob didn’t want this super pristine car to become a rust bucket. We love the look, love the stance, and can’t wait to see it run 200mph, but it’s not going to be here this week. You see Bob is one of the guys at Bonneville who strive to make sure that cool muscle cars, street machines, and classics still have a place at Bonneville and still set big records. It’s that attitude that lead to Bob finding out that a stock bodied ’55 Chevy hasn’t set a record at Bonneville over 200 mph ever. We couldn’t believe it when he said it, but are sure excited to see it run the number. Bob says the car is incredibly stable and easy to drive which is not what you would expect from such a brick.
Check out the photos and captions below and 
And if you think Bob’s car is cool, check out all the other cool stuff we have seen at Bonneville Speed Week.
Bob and crew nailed the stance by lowering the Morrison Chassis a couple inches along with a slightly different wheel and tire package.
The hump in the trunk covers up the Winters Quick Change rear.
The interior has all the stuff you need in a race car out here on the salt, including fire system, gauges, cool suit box, and Randy Lajoie seat.
The 380 inch small-block in the car came with it, features a Dart Block, Brodix Heads and Intake and made 700 on the dyno over at Keith Dorton’s Automotive Specialist, but wasn’t able to finish the week before blowing a head gasket yesterday on an easy checkout 180mph pass. Keith will be building an 800 horsepower version to replace this one.
That is one good looking Tri-Five, and we love it.
I usually don’t like chevies, but I do like his bumper sticker!
Great car, but I’m betting he’ll regret not taking it apart to clean it!
Love this saltshaker ’55. An acquaintance has an ex-drag car two door post 150 ’55 so I might end up with my first Tri-Five Chevy.
Always top in the class. I mean the car. Love the bumper sticker too!
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Good stuff Chad………from a fellow ’55 Chevy owner.
A flying brick for sure.
Repeal it indeed! Great car, great look , great sticker…