Vehicle Description
We sell dozens of Tri-5 Chevrolets every year, but few are as
honest and affordable as this 1956 Chevrolet 210 sedan. Only
recently have 4-door Tri-5s been gaining attention (and it's about
time), but they drive just as well as their 2-door counterparts,
have the same awesome good looks, and they're a lot more affordable
and family friendly. If you think that owning a nicely restored
Shoebox Chevy was out of reach, guess again, because this dialed-in
Tri-5 is just a simple call away.
Finished in a shade dubbed Root Beer Brown Metallic (an upgrade
over the original Inca Silver over Imperial Ivory), this sedan
looks so good you almost have to look twice to spot the extra doors
on this Chevy. The wonderful 210 detailing feels like it was always
destined for a 4-door, with its perpendicular pillars and swooping
roofline setting a gorgeous profile for this popular Tri-5 example.
It's obvious this sedan has always been well-kept and led an easy
life under the supervision of conscientious owners, as the
all-original body is nice and straight, the door shut flush, the
gaps are good, and the entire car feels very tight despite its
nearly eight-decade run in service. The repaint is older but you
can tell it was done right with a color-change that still has a
pleasing period look. It's not perfect, with light scratches and a
few minor chips to report upon closer examination, but that's all
commensurate with an older, driver-quality restoration, and it's
hard to argue with this 4-door's curb appeal. Those bright spears
along the flanks emphasize the long, low profile of the '56 Chevys,
and, of course, the middle-market 210 had 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 to match
the quality of the paint, the emblems on the hood and deck lid are
bright with a light patina, and the stainless side trim was all
straightened and buffed when the car was finished years back.
Bottom line, this Tri-5 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 cloth upholstery is certainly an acquired taste that
looks a bit dated in 2021, but it's in good condition following the
restoration with only minor signs of use throughout. Matching door
panels continue the somewhat septuagenarian theme, as do the
carpets, but we have to admit the Root Beer vide is in full effect
with the choice of these colors. 4-doors were finished in unison
with their 2-door counterparts in '56, and the dash is identical,
right down to the twin pods and stylish steering wheel with horn
ring. An aftermarket SunPro tachometer was strapped to the column
to mind the revs, while a trio of auxiliary units were installed
below the dash to help keep a close eye on the motor. Options are
scarce but you do get an AM/FM/Cassette deck in the center of the
painted dash (thankfully they didn't have to curt anything up to
install it), but the best entertainment comes from that enjoyable
3-speed manual transmission in the floor that practically taunts us
to get in and cycle through the gears. The rear bench continues the
ugly-suit theme but is also in great shape, while out back the
cavernous trunk was finished with black carpets and houses a
full-size spare tire and jack set.
The 283 cubic inch V8 under the hood has been beefed up a bit for
modern times, and it's dressed for show with lots of chrome and
shiny bits. Obviously, there are several components that aren't
'correct' for the year, including the modern alternator and power
brake system, but that's not what this car is trying to be. Chrome
Chevrolet-scripted valve covers and a Bowtie mini chrome air
cleaner provide most of the flash, although the bright yellow spark
plug wires certainly yearn for attention as well, and the Edelbrock
4-barrel carburetor was mounted atop a high-rise plate for a
performance look. Stock-style exhaust manifolds dump into a bubbly
dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers, so it sounds
suitably racy up and down the throttle. A 3-speed manual
transmission is a nice addition for 'car guys/gals' that love to
drive and bang through gears, and it certainly takes advantage of
the V8 under the hood. Power front disc brakes with drilled and
slotted rotors all work together to help this 210 handle the rigors
of the modern road, while the heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end keeps the
car planted. The chassis is solid and in good order, although not
detailed for show, and it has a very comfortable ride complements
of 235/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials wrapped around
Cragar S/S polished wheels.
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. And with a
price point like this, it won't last long. Call today!
