"THE STORY OF ANNA"
1955 chevrolet - model 210 -
2 door sedan
"Anna",
named after her first owner, Anna May McLellan, is a 1955 model
210 Chevrolet
that was purchased new from Jack Marshall Motors, Ltd.,
New Westminster,
British Columbia on March 22, 1955. The purchase price
including
license, registration, sales tax, and even a push button radio was
$2,834.62.
Although
Miss McLellan and I both grew up in the same Dunbar Heights
area of
Vancouver, it was through our working relationship that we first came
to know
each other in 1958. "Anna" was three years old at the time.
Somewhere
in the vicinity of 1972, I inquired as to the possibility of Anna
May parting
with her '55 Chev and was told that if and when this ever
happened
I would be the first to know. Anna May, being the lady she is, kept
her promise,
and in August 1975 I was indeed the first person to learn of her
interest
in acquiring a new automobile. Shortly thereafter, the transfer of
registration
was made and "Anna" started her new life as retired Classic
Chevy.
At the
time of purchase, "Anna" was mechanically sound. In fact, to this
day, I
have never spent more than the price of a regular oil change in
maintaining
her mechanical stability.
"Anna's"
interior was, as it is today, near perfect and other than wiping clean
the original
rubber floor mats the interior of this car has never been cleaned.
It is
indeed, totally original.
"Anna's"
exterior, however, was a bit drab and although she was garaged
regularly,
20 years of Vancouver sun, coupled with a lack of Simonize had
dulled
her youthful brilliance. She was indeed showing definite signs of
aging.
Perhaps
this is a good time to mention that up until the time of purchase, I
had never
been involved or ever attended any sort of car related function.
I
merely
purchased "Anna" for a second vehicle and because of my
appreciation
for the fine styling of the remarkable automobile.
In the
two years that followed (1975-77) my wife and I cleaned away the
heavy
accumulation of dirt and road tar that had settled in "Anna's" engine
compartment
and undercarriage. Then, like most amateur restoreers, we
anxiously
arranged for a new coat of paint.
By the
Spring of 1977, "Anna" was indeed looking very spiffy in her new gold
and white
colors. Evidence of her serene beauty was noted when, in August
1977,
we attended our first ever Classic Chevy car show near in Mount
Vernon,
Washington. The show organizers encouraged us to enter "Anna"
(we came
as spectators) and the following afternoon we were awarded the
"First
Place" award for 1955 stock vehicles. We were hooked and we knew
it.
In 1980
I accepted a company transfer to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was
during
our 18 month stay in this fine city that we decided to strip "Anna" of
her decency
by removing her present coat of paint and replacing it with the
original
Autumn Bronze and Shoreline Beige combination that she had so
long enjoyed.
This job was magnificently accomplished by Mid West Auto
Body of
Saskatoon. Their quality workmanship was quickly recognized
when,
only two weeks after completion, "Anna" entered the Draggins 24th
Annual
Custom Car Show and won both "First Place" in her classification
plus the
special award for "Best Painted" car in the show.
Several
months later, I accepted another transfer and for the second time in
two years
"Anna" enjoyed a pleasant trip via United Van Lines to her new
home in
Winnipeg, Manitoba. Since her arrival in Winnipeg, "Anna" has
appeared
in numerous car shows where she has been accompanied by the
following
sign:
HI THERE!
My name is Anna. I was named
after my first owner who drove me
with great respect for 20 years.
After my present owner purchased
me in August, 1975, he cleaned up my
engine compartment and gave me a
new custom paint job.
Quite often I hear people asking my
owner where he obtained a new original
floor mat for me and he tells them, with
a certain pride, that my interior is
completely original. In fact, my floor
mat has never been lifted for dusting.
Back in 1955 when I was a young
"210", I never dreamed that I would
someday appear at a Classic Car Show
with all the beautiful "Bel Airs". I was
pretty nervous at first but now I'm
getting used to everyone staring at me.
People are so friendly and sometimes I
hear them whisper nice things about me.
Thanks for stopping by now and
have a nice "Chevy" day.
Anna
And, that's
pretty well it. "Anna's" first owner, Anna May McLellan retired in
1981.
She still lives in the same house in Vancouver that she did as a child
and she
still drives the same Chevy that she purchased in 1975. However,
to
quote
Anna May from one of her earlier letters, "I have so far owned three
cars and
can honestly state that it was the 1955 Chev. from which I derived
the most
pleasure and pride."
"Anna"
presently resides in a comfortable garage with two sister Chevy's.
One is
a 1956 Bel Air Sport Coupe and the other is a 1957 Bel Air 4 door
sedan.
All three cars are original restored vehicles and together they provide
us with
a great deal of pleasure.
"HAVE A NICE CHEVY DAY"
Note: This story
appeared in the Jan. 1986 issue of "Classic Chevy World".
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