Vehicle Description
High-quality older restoration still in excellent condition.
Beautiful color combination. 265 cubic inch 'Power Pack' V8 with
PowerGlide automatic. Accessory continental kit. A handsome Bel Air
convertible that drives as great as it looks!Everyone has their
favorite Tri-Five Chevy, and for us, it's the '56. Somewhat less
common than their siblings, the clean lines of the '56 look
completely modern without being over-dressed. And when they're
painted in a great two-tone combination like this 1956 Chevrolet
Bel Air convertible, it's a really special car. Restored in the
early 2000s, it remains in outstanding condition thanks to
long-term ownership with an experienced collector. It was
refinished in its original Matador Red over India Ivory color
combination, which is exactly the right choice for a flashy '50s
ragtop. That long spear that stretches the length of the car and
brings the white quarters forward is perhaps our favorite feature
of the '56s, and the detailing is crisp. Panel fit is very good to
excellent and the doors close without the need for a heavy slam.
The big clamshell hood snugs down easily with just a gentle push
and there's a deep gloss to the finish that's at least as good as
what you got from the factory in 1956. And on any '50s car, chrome
and stainless trim is critical, so it's a relief to see that all
the brightwork on this car has been polished, re-plated, or
replaced, including the 'hockey stick' trim along the rockers. Out
back there's an accessory continental kit that makes the Chevy look
a bit more upscale, and a set of matching fender skirts is included
with the car.The two-tone red and white interior looks quite
correct for 1956, with textured red inserts and expert detailing
throughout. All the soft parts were new when the car was restored
and remain in great condition. And for a convertible living in
Florida, the red carpets look fantastic with no fading or
discoloration, probably thanks to those heavy-duty floor mats. The
big three-spoke steering wheel frames the familiar Chevy gauges,
and they're all operational. You'll note that this car carries
accessories like a Trafficator on the dash, a tissue dispenser
underneath, and a Wonderbar AM radio that works like it should.
Seat belts have been added for safety, which is never a bad idea,
and the workmanship is quite good so they blend in and almost look
factory-installed. Overhead, a white power convertible top stows
itself easily and we believe that's the original boot, which is in
good condition. In back, the trunk is correctly outfitted with a
rubber mat and jack assembly, and by moving the spare onto the
bumper, there's a lot more room for cargo!For 1956, the Chevrolet
V8 displaced 265 cubic inches, and when equipped with the Power
Pack option, made 205 horsepower?not too shabby! While 'matching
numbers' isn't possible with a 1956 Chevy, all signs point to this
being the car's original engine including the FB suffix code that
is correct for an early '56 Power Pack with an automatic
transmission. It starts and runs beautifully and pulls the stylish
ragtop around without ever seeming to work very hard. It's also
very nicely detailed under the hood so you'll be proud to open it
up and show it off. It's almost completely stock, including a
generator and a single master cylinder, but a modern Saginaw power
steering system has been added to make this Chevy feel effortless
on the road. The 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission shifts
cleanly and thanks to 3.36 gears in the rear end, it's a great
highway cruiser. The underside isn't detailed for show, but it is
quite clean and solid with no signs of rust or other issues in any
of the important locations. It appears that the floors have been
expertly repaired in the front footwell area, but the rockers,
trunk, and floor extensions are completely original and solid.
Braking is confident, the suspension rides nicely, and with
glasspack-style mufflers, it has a traditional '50s sound that's
very appealing. 15-inch steel wheels carry correct wire wheel
covers and a recent set of 205/75/15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide
whitewall radials.Documentation is extensive, including restoration
and service receipts, photographs, and a large binder full of
factory service and assembly manuals.It's no surprise that the
Tri-Five Chevys remain popular year after year. Cars like this '56
are excellent road cars, they look like a million bucks, and
everyone has a pleasant memory involving something similar. That's
what drives the whole hobby. If you're looking for a great Tri-Five
to drive and enjoy, this one deserves a closer look. Call
today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or
professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to
purchase.
