I believe a '55 would be a 170B, which means it can be described as the earliest C172 minus the nose wheel. Nothing much to criticize, but the main gear legs are a bit springy and under damped, requiring the right landing technique.
The 170B has Fowler flaps and same wing as 172. Flies a bit better than a 172 if you like tail wheel a/c, typically lighter and less drag particularly in relation to Omni-Vison 172s. Smooth but not terribly powerful six cylinder Continental, so the weight and drag saving is no bad thing.
Lots of non-codgers flying 170Bs - they are still a very practical plane.