In the the mid fifties oil filters were still optional on some autos. 55 Chevies even with v8's often were not factory equipped with one,,,many owners had them dealer installed.

also, there were retrofit kits available from fram [when they were the best, quality wise] and others. i have a fram unit that came from a studebaker engine i parted out years ago that looks very similar, if not identical to the one previously pictured.