1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop 350 V8 Automatic Classic Vintage Collector

Description

We sell dozens of mid-fifties Chevrolets every year, but few are as honest and traditional as this 1956 Bel Air sedan. Only recently have 4-door Tri-5s been gaining attention, but they drive just as well as their 2-door counterparts, have the same awesome good looks, and they're a lot more affordable. If you think that owning a nicely restored Shoebox Chevy was out of reach, guess again, because this is a really nice car. Finished in a... correct India Ivory over Nassau Blue combination, you almost have to look twice to spot the extra doors on this Chevy. The wonderful Bel Air detailing cleverly hides the rear door inside the split, and the neat little dip is in the same place it is on the coupes. But that's kind of selling this car short, because someone has spent a great deal of money restoring it, so all four doors fit well and it has a very pleasing period look. Those long spears along the flanks emphasize the long, low profile of the '56 Chevys, and, of course, the top-of-the-line Bel Air has plenty of jewelry to make it stand apart. It has not been customized or modified, which is always refreshing with these cars, and they've resisted the urge to over-accessorize the car, which seems to be an epidemic among Tri-Five Chevy owners. All the chrome is nicely finished, the emblems on the hood and deck lid are bright, and the stainless side trim has all been straightened and buffed. The car looks great! The handsome two-tone interior has a great 1950s sensibility and with room for six, this really is the most practical hobby car you can buy. The upholstery is in good condition following the restoration with just one split on the driver's seat cushion area, probably someone being careless with something in their pocket. Dramatic door panels look as good in the 4-door as they do in the other '56 Chevys and the dash is identical, right down to the twin pods and stylish steering wheel with horn ring. For cruising comfort, this one has been treated to an aftermarket A/C system that fits neatly under the dash and almost out of sight, which preserves the original look. It also has a modern tilt steering column that doesn't call attention to itself and seat belts have been fitted for safety. A digital AM/FM stereo radio has been fitted into the dash, cleverly disguised with chrome knobs, and the trunk is finished with a correct rubber mat and a space-saver spare. The 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood looks like what could have been there in 1956, although it's dressed for show with lots of chrome. Obviously the A/C compressor and alternator aren't correct, but they're professionally installed and don't stand out. Chevy Orange on the block helps with the OEM vibe and a dual master cylinder is there to service the front disc brakes. Long-tube headers dump into a bubbly dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers, so it sounds suitably racy. A TH350 3-speed manual transmission is a nice replacement for the original PowerGlide, making this sedan very easy to drive. The chassis is clean and in good order, although not detailed for show, and it has a very comfortable ride complements of 7.10-15 Firestone whitewalls on painted steel wheels with baby moon wheelcovers and trim rings. With all the emphasis on performance these days, it's kind of nice to see a car like this that doesn't go overboard with the modifications and still feels like a trip to the past. Call today!