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.