Vehicle Description
1956 Chevrolet 210
The 1955-1957 year range represented a lot of effort by GM. They
spent a million dollars in 1956 alone because they wanted to make
the Bel Air look like the more expensive Cadillacs. The result was
extravagant body lines, Cadillac-inspired bumper guards, and tail
fins. Although largely a carry-over model, sales soared in 1956,
especially for Bel Air models. This is thanks to the popular V8
introduced in the prior year. 1956 Chevrolets had hidden gas caps
-they were behind the driver's side taillight! The Chevrolet
advertising slogan for 1956 aptly stated, "The Hot One is even
Hotter!"
For consignment a beautifully restored and modified 1956 210 with a
burgundy and silver painted exterior, a consignor stated 327ci V8,
power steering, power brakes and front air bag suspension 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. Flowing down the side there is the ever-widening single
spear that takes over the rear quarter panel. Deep end of the pool
burgundy coats the front 2/3rds of the car while resplendent in
silver, which covers the roof, 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 deep dish rally 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 ivory tuck and roll
stitched paneled door covers 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
ivory vinyl with door panel matching tuck and roll stitches. 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 a set of aftermarket gauges including a
satellite speedometer and original knobs. Fronting the dash is a
tilt steering column complete with tachometer and billet style 6
spoke steering wheel. Hanging below the dash is the control switch
and pressure gauge for the front air ride suspension. An
aftermarket AM/FM stereo is neatly tucked into the dash and lots of
shiny chrome mixes with deep burgundy metal paint for this
attractive dash. Noted in the very clean trunk is the battery and
Air Ride Technologies motor and compressor.
Drivetrain
A top-notch redux under the hood, with an orange/red painted block
displacing a consignor stated 327ci. It is topped with an Edelbrock
4-barrel carb, aluminum intake, and block matching orange valve
covers. Attached to the rear of the mill is a TH350 3-speed
automatic and put to the ground with a 3.73 Positraction geared
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, fed by long snaking headers makes its way to the
back of the car through Flowmaster mufflers where it ends well with
turn downs at the rear bumper. Power disc brakes are on front, and
power drums have been mounted to the rear. An Air Ride Technologies
independent front airbag suspension is on for an infinitely
adjustable rake, meanwhile traditional leaf springs finish off our
tour down below.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and overall good runner. It has great acceleration
from the V8, nice handling thanks to the air bags, and the power
brakes and steering are a benefit and work flawlessly. All controls
worked successfully for our test, and I enjoyed myself so much I
took a few extra laps around the test track loop.
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
gracing our Hallowed Halls at the Classic Auto Mall.
VIN DECODE
VB56S037456
V-V8
B-2100 Series BelAir
56-1956
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
037456-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 56 1011D-1956 210 2 Door Sedan
BODY NO M18582-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 564-Charcoal Cloth
PAINT NO 701-India Ivory, Onyx Black
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.