Cruisin Classics is proud to present this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
for your consideration. This well-restored Tri-Five comes to us
today dressed in a two-tone paint job with bright Matador Red
accented by India Ivory (white) - the same colors it was born with.
We don't know when it was painted, but it presents very well with
only a limited number of small imperfections. This Bel Air is a
two-door "post car" - meaning that it has a B-pillar between the
front and rear windows. The brightwork on this Bel Air is in
exceptionally nice condition and is so abundant that you can't
decide which part of the car to stare at first. The hood features a
gleaming "jet-bird" hood ornament that sits above a colorful
Chevrolet crest badge and a large chrome "V", signifying the V-8
engine. Flanking the hood badging are round Octane halogen
headlights in bright bezels. The front grille was new for the '56
model and was well-received by those critical of the
Ferrari-inspired grille in '55. The horizontally-oriented chrome
eggcrate grille spans the width of the front end and curves around
the front fenders, resolving at the front wheel openings. Below is
a large and curvaceous chrome front bumper that also wraps around
the sides. Moving around to the side of the car, the two-tone paint
combination and the iconic body side-molding really steal the show.
The white center of the side spear grows as it travels toward the
rear, engulfing half of the rear quarters and the trunk as well as
flowing up the B-pillar to cover the roof. The wrap-around
windshield and the windows are all framed in bright chrome. Chrome
continues on the dual side mirrors and the door handles. The wheel
and tire treatment is an absolutely perfect choice for the car -
red steel wheels with beauty rings and center hub caps (w/ bowties)
all wrapped in General Altimax HP radials. The white section of the
rear quarters is home to "Bel Air" script badges as well as smaller
crest badges. Around back, the trunk badging mimics the hood, with
a colorful crest and a bright "V". On either side of the trunk are
ornate chrome housings that incorporate the taillight, stoplight,
and backup light, and the left one covers a hidden gas filler - an
idea popularized on Cadillacs of the period. A chrome bumper just
like the one up front hovers below, with chrome exhaust tips
protruding from underneath. In the rear window you can see that a
third brake light has been added.
Under the large curved hood is a clean and organized engine bay
with a glossy red firewall and flat black sides. At the center is a
black Chevrolet 402ci V-8 that date codes to 1970-72. The big block
is topped off with cast heads, aluminum "Chevrolet" valve covers, a
cast intake manifold, a Holley Brawler 4-barrel carburetor, and an
aluminum air cleaner. Other items of note include a Holley fuel
pump, a Pertronix Flamethrower distributor, an MSD Blaster 2 coil,
Taylor plug wires, an aluminum alternator bracket, a newer water
pump, a newer BeCool aluminum radiator, dual horns, a braided fuel
line, newer hood hinges, and an Optima battery. The big block V-8
is mated up to a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission that shifts
smoothly as it sends power to a GM rear axle with 3.55 gears.
Stopping power comes courtesy of power front disc and rear drum
brakes with a CPP master cylinder. Exhaust flows through
ceramic-coated headers, newer heat-wrapped pipes, and Flowmaster
mufflers before exiting the rear tips with a growl. We also noted
when looking at the firewall that the wipers have been converted to
an electric system for reliability. Take a peek under the front end
and find that a Flaming River rack & pinion steering system has
been added - yet another nice upgrade.
The interior of this Bel Air was originally Charcoal and Ivory
according to the trime tag, but it is now dressed in Red and Beige
with silver piping. It appears that an entire new OEM-style
interior kit was installed in the recent past - door panels, side
panels, seat covers, and carpet - and it looks amazing! The door
panels feature stitched armrests, bright trim, and period-correct
winsow cranks and handles. The bench seats are flawless and they
make you feel like you've transported back to a Chevy dealership in
1956. A red vinyl armrest/storage box/cupholder "console" has been
placed in the center of the front seat and is held by a strap that
loops under the seat. Both the front and rear seats are outfitted
with seatbelts. Underfoot is high-quality red hook & loop carpet
that's kept nice with a matching set of rubber/carpet Bel Air
floormats. Overhead is a tight perforated beige vinyl headliner and
a working dome light. Ahead of the driver is a red and white Con2R
steering wheel (with working horn) on a chrome tilt column with a
Lokar column shifter. The black painted dash features a polished
aluminum trim panel that stretches side to side and a chrome gauge
cluster surround. The arching 110 mph speedometer is topped with
gauges for fuel and temp and the odometer reads 785 miles
(non-actual). The dash lights and wipers both work as they should.
In the center of the dash is a Retro Radio brand AM/FM radio that
plays through a set of Kicker 6X9's on the rear package tray and
the cool clock/speaker combo on the right side of the dash (clock
is inop.). Below the radio is an empty glovebox and under the dash
are working foot-well courtesy lights. Around back in the trunk
you'll find a red carpeted floor, a "Bel Air" cooler box, a car
cover with storage bag, touch-up paint, the original black steering
wheel, a full spare, jack, fire extinguisher, and an owners
manual.
If you're in the market for a tri-five Chevy, you're definitely
going to want to take a look at this stunning '56! It's a great
color combo, the brightwork is fantastic, it's got a big block V-8
under the hood, it has power front disc brakes, the interior looks
like new, and so much more! Don't let this one pass you by, give
our friendly staff a call today!
TRANSMISSION
TH400 3-Speed Automatic
GM Rear Axle with 3.55 Gears
BRAKES
Power Front Discs and Rear Drums
EXTERIOR
2-Door Post Car
Matador Red and India Ivory Paint
Excellent Quality Chrome, Brightwork, and Badging
Octane Halogen Headlights
Dual Chrome Side Mirrors
Red Steel Wheels with Beauty Rings and Center Hub Caps
General Altimax HP Radial Tires
Hidden Gas Fill
Third Brake Light
Dual Chrome Exhaust Tips
INTERIOR
Red Vinyl and Beige Fabric Bench Seats with Silver Piping
Front and Rear Seatbelts
OEM-Style Red and Beige Door Panels with Correct Hardware
Red Hook & Loop Carpet with Carpet/Rubber Logo Floormats
Tight Perforated Beige Vinyl Headliner
Working Dome and Underdash Courtesy Lights
Red Vinyl Armrest/Storage Box/Cupholder "Console"
Red and White Con2R Steering Wheel (with Working Horn)
Chrome Tilt Column with a Lokar Column Shifter
Black Painted Dash with Polished Aluminum Trim Panel
Chrome Gauge Surround
Working Speedometer and Fuel...for more information please contact
the seller.
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