When you meet Dave Page from RD Automotive in Johannesburg, it’s immediately clear that he’s a man who knows what he likes. For Dave, that’s the classic tri-five Chevys – the ’55, ’56, and ’57 models that defined an era of chrome, curves, and confidence. His current build, a 1955 Chevy 210, wasn’t chosen from a lineup of pristine examples. It was simply available — a slightly worn 4-door sedan that, in his eyes, had potential buried beneath layers of black tar-like paint and a few patches of South African rust.
Underneath the imperfections, the body panels were solid. But the sills, floorboards, and rear bumper sections had seen better days. Most people might have written it off or done a standard restoration. Dave, however, had something more ambitious in mind — he wanted a 2-door. Not imported, not replicated — converted. The 2-door models are rare in South Africa and always in demand, while the 4-doors tend to be overlooked. So, armed with diagrams and factory specs sourced online, Dave and his business partner set about turning the dream into steel.
The transformation was no small task. The front doors were sliced in half and extended by 175mm with hand-fabricated steel inserts. The B-pillars were moved back, reshaped, and realigned until the doors closed with factory precision. “Getting the doors right was the hardest part,” Dave recalls. “Everything had to line up perfectly — no gaps, no rattles.” The floorboards, which had been previously patched with fibreglass, were stripped out and replaced with proper steel, restoring the car’s strength and originality.
When it came to paint, Dave wanted something bold but tasteful. After considering a deep blue with pearl white, he stumbled upon a Kia finished in ‘Techno Orange’ — a color that instantly caught his eye. Under the sun, it’s both elegant and electric, glowing like molten metal with a hint of silver reflection. “It’s jazzy without being too in your face,” Dave says with a grin. The result is stunning — a rich, vibrant orange that seems to move with the light, contrasting beautifully with the silver trim and chrome accents.
The chrome, either replaced or rechromed, glistens against the paint, while the original steel body remains faithful to the Chevy’s 1950s identity. Inside, Dave chose restraint over radical. Instead of modern bucket seats, the car retains its original bench seating, reupholstered in a classic white and charcoal combination. The lines might not all meet Dave’s perfectionist standards, but the charm of the old-school craftsmanship is undeniable.
Power comes from a 327 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 paired with a 600 Holley four-barrel carburetor and an Edelbrock performance intake. The sound is raw, throaty, and unapologetic — a deep rumble that shakes the ground before settling into a steady heartbeat through twin 50mm Powerflow stainless-steel exhausts. It’s coupled to a Turbo 350 automatic transmission that delivers smooth, confident shifts — the perfect blend of old-school muscle and modern reliability.
Dave went to great lengths to make sure the car feels solid on the road. The body is mounted to the frame using 10mm hard-rubber blocks to absorb vibration, while soundproofing material — the same type used in air-conditioning ducts — lines the doors, panels, and boot. The front end rides on stock suspension fitted with 2-inch drop spindles, while the rear sticks with classic leaf springs. Up front, the original drums were swapped for discs, giving the Chevy the stopping power it always deserved.
Wheels are American Racing Special Editions wrapped in 18-inch tyres — 235/40s in front and 265/35s out back, the widest he could fit without touching the springs. The stance is perfect: low, confident, and muscular without losing the timeless Chevy silhouette.
All the key parts, from steering components to dash trim, came from Danchuk in the U.S., sourced locally through Ralph at Motown Auto. The wiring was completely redone by Clarke Auto Electrical, ensuring reliability beneath the nostalgia.
When the car’s out in public, it always draws a crowd. “People are genuinely interested,” Dave says. “It’s not like driving a Ferrari or Porsche where people think you’re showing off. Everyone loves an old Chevy — it makes people smile.”
True to form, Dave hasn’t added wipers — not because he forgot, but because he thinks the car looks cleaner without them. “You don’t drive this in the rain anyway,” he laughs. It’s a fair point — this car was built for sunshine, car shows, and open roads.
After a year and three months of dedication, the ’55 Chevy 210 stands as a testament to craftsmanship, patience, and passion. It’s a car that bridges the gap between restoration and restomod — faithful to its origins, yet subtly refined with performance and comfort upgrades that make it a joy to drive.
And as it rolls away, glowing under the Johannesburg sun, it’s impossible not to feel that sense of nostalgia mixed with admiration. Dave’s Chevy isn’t just a rebuild. It’s a resurrection — one that captures the spirit of an era, wrapped in the colour of a sunset and powered by pure American heart.
By Karl Eriksen | Photos: Antigrafika
