Vehicle Description
Looking through our inventory, you'll see a lot of Tri-5 Chevys,
but one thing sticks out: there aren't all that many '56s like this
super clean Bel Air hardtop sedan. Whether that's because there are
fewer of them on the road or because their owners love them too
much to part with them, we can't fully say. What we can say is that
if you're a fan of the smooth, refined look of the '56 models, this
car is an excellent choice for a turn-key rod.
Painting it India Ivory over Onyx Black means that someone wanted
to get noticed, like when you wear a tuxedo to McDonalds, and with
that comes the responsibility to get the bodywork right. Many
hobbyists feel that the '56s are the cleanest of the Tri-Fives, and
the awesome two-tone finish on this one certainly reinforces that
perspective. There's no place for sloppy gaps to hide, so someone
made sure they were nice and even, and while traditional two-tone
paint jobs were offered by the factory, the updated materials used
on this car make a much louder statement. It was done several years
ago and then kept in storage for almost a decade, but it's also
been driven and enjoyed since, and you can't argue with the looks
this car gets on the street. The polished stainless, particularly
the blinging side trim, stands out and looks fantastic, emphasizing
the car's lean, sporty profile. There's also a sizeable investment
in chrome, because the bumpers, grille, and other ornamentation is
in good shape, and despite being an updated build, there no
deviations from the stock look and all the trim is present and
accounted for. No, it's not perfect, but it's not often you find a
Tri-5 hardtop built this well at this price point.
The matching white-and-black interior nails the perfect blend of
retro and modern, combining the original dash with upgrades like
modern two-tone vinyl upholstery that looks great. Completely
restoring it back to stock only gives you more comfort, but also an
upholstery combination that looks fantastic in the vintage Chevy
bodywork. The back seat and custom door panels were stitched to
match the front seat, and black carpets help keep the interior
looking serious. An original Bel Air wheel is still in place and
joins the automatic shifter on the column, both of which add to the
comfort inside, because you're going to want to spend a lot of time
in here. The original Bel Air dash is still in place as well,
featuring a stock dash cluster and clock above the glove
compartment. The biggest modification might be the underdash A/C
unit, but it fits in neatly enough and blows cold R134a refrigerant
throughout the cabin. Out back, the spacious trunk has a stock look
complete with a rubber mat, and if you look closely at the panels,
you'll see that this car is also quite solid underneath.
Easy and reliable cruising was the goal, and with that in mind the
restorers installed a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 rated at a reported
300 horsepower, and it's topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and
a Holley Street Dominator aluminum intake manifold. There's plenty
of flash under there, too, because you're going to want to take
this one to the cruise night and open the hood, and you'll dig
details like the chrome Bowtie valve covers, chrome air cleaner,
and blacked-out inner fenders and firewall. A TH350 automatic
transmission offers quick reflexes, while the front end has newer
control arms, shocks, and coils, while the stock rear end hangs on
a set of upgraded shocks so this car always has just the right
attitude. A dual Glasspack-style exhaust system sounds awesome, and
power front disc brakes and power steering show that this car was
meant for the road, not just the cruise in circuit. Classic
Corvette Ralley wheels finish the slick look and wear 245/60/15
front and 255/60/15 rear Cooper Cobra blackwall radials.
It's a safe bet to assume this car will be like all the other '56s
we feature: quickly SOLD. Call today!