Vehicle Description
Wagons remain red-hot in the marketplace, and what could be cooler
than hauling your gear around in this sweet 1956 Chevrolet 210
Handyman wagon? Classic looks and modern amenities make it easy to
love, and it's even rarer than a Nomad these days so you'll never
see another one at a show.
Traditional '50s colors work just as well on a station wagon as
they do on a flashy Bel Air convertible, and the Sierra Gold and
India Ivory combination here gives the wagon a '50s look that
disguises the modern upgrades underneath. The restoration is a few
years old and shows a few signs of use, but the impact a car like
this makes everywhere it goes is tough to ignore. The good news is
that all the sheetmetal is in excellent shape with factory-grade
gaps and that solid feeling only old cars seem to offer. The bad
news is... well, there is no bad news other than to say this car
works so well it's been driven a bit since it was finished, so it's
not a show car anymore. Nevertheless, the chrome and stainless trim
is very good, particularly the pieces that separate the two colors
on the quarter panels, and it's been fitted with new glass and
weather seals so it feels tight and quiet on the road.
The all-new interior is beautifully designed and comfortable for
long hauls, yet the dash keeps it looking like 1956. The important
stuff is entirely new, including the Auto Meter gauges, door
panels, and the gorgeous two-tone seat covers. Beyond that,
however, you'll find aftermarket air conditioning neatly stashed
under the dash, a polished tilt steering column, and you'll note
the shifter manages a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission. A
modern AM/FM/CD stereo uses speakers stashed throughout the
interior, and liberal use of sound insulation gives the wagon a
solid, quiet feel. The back seat is actually usable even with the
2-door design and the wonderful copper cargo bay is massive and
expands exponentially with the fold-down rear seats. If you like
your hot rods practical, this one delivers!
With this 210, you also get a strong-running 350 cubic inch V8
engine, which, of course, drops right into the Chevy's engine bay.
It's a little different than the original version, sporting a
chrome air cleaner and a big Exelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, Vortec
heads, and a polished intake manifold up top and some polished
aluminum valve covers with engraved 'Chevrolet' emblems on their
faces. There's also a big aluminum radiator and the A/C compressor,
so there's no hiding the fact that this is a resto-mod built to
drive. The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission feeds the original
rear end hanging on original leaf springs. Power front disc brakes,
a custom dual exhaust system, and a slightly lowered suspension are
welcome additions that give it a hot rod attitude and easy road
manners. The undercarriage is pretty clean, but it's built right so
you shouldn't be afraid to drive this one. Staggered 17- and
18-inch wheels look awesome and carry 235/45/17 front and 235/50/18
rear Firestone radials.
Beautifully built, easy to drive, and just drop-dead gorgeous, this
clean, ready to enjoy 210 wagon proves that practical can also be
very cool. Call today!