Vehicle Description
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
Dinah Shore was the first female talk show host, and at the end of
each show she would sing the jingle "see the USA in your
Chevrolet", talk about a marketing coup!
For consignment a beautifully restored 1956 Bel Air with a blue
(almost faint purple tinge) and silver painted exterior, 350ci
crate motor, power steering, power brakes and air conditioning all
wrapped within a dual fan style dash. This beauty is ready to go or
show, just turn the key!
Exterior
The 1957 version is always the talk of the town, but this writer
feels that the 1956 version offers up a simplified cleaner design
all around. The shiny mirror like grille with its big bumper below
an egg crate silver grille and single headlights framed by fenders
with the beginnings of a trim spear above, it just does not get any
better. Nice use of chrome on the wheel well in front that fades
into a rocker trim ending at the rear wheel well. Above there is
the ever-widening spear that takes over the rear quarter panel.
This is resplendent in silver, which covers the trunk lid and tail
of this snappy design car. Rocket like taillights frame the trunk
and still hide the gas fill cap to boot! A shout out to the tinted
windows, and 15-inch Torque Thrust polished wheels which frame this
throwback to the era of Bill Haley and the Comets era car.
Interior
Swinging the doors open we shake hands with blue and gray velour
paneled door coverings that have kept their pristine original
cranks, handles and chrome trimmings. Stretching from door to door
in front is a bench seat with a split back which is covered in blue
broadcloth with white bolsters. The rear bench follows suit in
design with the front, and floats on black clean carpeting. The
dual fan style dash (another feature which will sadly go away in
'57) fronts the seats and is very clean and sporting original
gauges and knobs. A couple of aftermarket gauges (a tach, and trio
of water, volts and oil) gauges hang below the dash. An aftermarket
Alpine AM/FM/Cassette radio is neatly tucked into the dash and lots
of shiny chrome mixes with blue metal paint for this attractive
dash. Air conditioning is also seen.
Drivetrain
A top-notch restoration under the hood, with all parts gleaming on
this 350ci LT1 engine. It is topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb
and backed up by a Doug Nash 5-speed manual transmission. Way back
is a 12-bolt 3.42 posi rear axle.
Undercarriage
All nicely restored, with slight surface rust erupting in a few
areas, but structurally sound and all clean underneath. A like new
exhaust system makes its way to the back of the car where it ends
well in chromed zoom tubes. Power disc brakes are on front, and
power drums have been mounted to the rear.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and overall good runner. It has great acceleration
from the LT1 350, nice handling and the power brakes and steering
are a benefit and work flawlessly. All controls worked successfully
for our test, and the air blows cold.
A very nice restoration and upgrade to the original. Great color
scheme, nicely preserved chrome, and beautiful original looking
dash. One of the top-notch examples of a Tri Five Chevrolet to have
here at Classic Auto Mall.
VIN DECODE
VC56L006546
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
56-1956
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
006546-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE # 56 1011D-1056 BelAir 2 Door Sedan
BODY # VN402-Van Nuys Body #
TRIM # 573-Charcoal & Ivory Cloth # Vinyl
PAINT # 701-India Ivory & Onyx Black
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.