Vehicle Description
When the second generation of Chevrolet's Bel Air was unveiled in 1955, its all new styling and the introduction of Chevrolet's new Turbo-Fire 265ci small block V8 made it an immediate hit, with Bel Air sales increasing by over sixty percent, totaling nearly a quarter of a million vehicles. Nicknamed 'The Hot One' in GM promotional literature, the new Bel Air was a huge hit with both consumers and hot rodders alike once they discovered how easy it was to get more power out of the new small block Chevy V8, proving the moniker true. With a minor redesign in 1956, the Bel Air was again hugely popular, and to showcase the new design and the performance of the still-new Turbo-Fire V8, the director of High Performance at Chevrolet, Zora Arkus-Duntov, ascended Pike's Peak in a 1956 Bel Air equipped with the new Turbo-Fire 265 V8, breaking the previous twenty-one year old record by over two minutes. This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air is equipped with the Turbo-Fire 265ci small block V8 with the optional Rochester 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts, and is mated to a Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission. Repainted in its original color of Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige, the interior of the Bel Air has also been redone in the original tan and copper pattern vinyl, and both paint and interior match the cowl tag and show wonderfully. Additionally, this Bel Air is a full power car and according to the cowl tag was ordered with a power seat and power windows, and it also features power steering, power brakes, and a power convertible top. Other features include fender skirts, accessory fender stone guards, Continental kit, tissue dispenser, dash mounted traffic light viewer, working push-button AM radio, door handle scuff guards, heater delete, and original factory ordered E-Z-Eye tinted glass that is dated coded 'XV', which corresponds to February of 1956. The Bel Air rides on B.F. Goodrich Silvertown 15-inch whitewall tires mounted on stock wheels with the correct dog dish hubcaps and correct 1956 Chevrolet accessory wire wheel covers. The attention to detail and originality that went into the restoration of this Bel Air, along with its extra features, make this convertible a truly special car and a real pleasure to own and drive. There are few classic cars that are as iconic and beloved as a Tri-Five Chevy, and no list of the most influential classic cars of all time would be complete without mention of the Chevrolet Bel Air from that period. As one of the most recognizable cars of the era, this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible is the quintessential classic American car.
