Between 1955 and 1957, Chevrolet sold more than 4.5 million automobiles. This was thanks to the popularity of the new design that would go on to be recognized as the “Tri-Fives”. And the availability of a V8 engine in a Chevy for the first time since 1918. The seller’s car may or may not have been one of those V8 autos, but it now has a later 327 with a 4-speed manual transmission. While it has been modernized a bit, the auto wears patina nicely and what appears to be a solid body. If you’re in the market for a 1956 Chevy and don’t require an original, this could be a nice find here on eBay. The car is in Newhall, California, and awaits its first bid of $25,000 (the Buy It Now is $30,000).
Chevy’s big news in ’55 was the all-new 265 cubic inch V8. It was the step up from the inline-six and within five years it’s estimated that at least half of all new Chevrolets were built with one. We don’t know if the seller’s Bel Air had the 265 as no VIN is provided which would identify it as such. Instead, the popular derivative of that motor, the 327, resides there now. The engine is at least from 1962 as that’s the year it was added to the mix. The seller does not mention if it’s stock or has been tweaked.
As the story goes, this car sat in a friend’s shop for more than 20 years when the seller acquired it. He/she is only the auto’s second registered owner which is always a plus when they don’t constantly change hands. To get the Chevy going, the seller put in a new gas tank, fuel lines, and fuel pump along with new brakes and some suspension pieces. The modernization part includes front disc brakes and an alternator as opposed to a generator.
Health reasons force the sale of this neat car which the seller admits doesn’t get used enough these days. The body looks sound, and the two-tone white-over-red paint has the right amount of patina for those so inclined. The interior is new, but not to original specs including the aftermarket steering wheel. Also, the car sports a set of Cragar mag wheels. If you like these Tri-Five Chevies and prefer the idea of a restomod of sorts, does this one work for you?
Yes it would-paint it, drive it and if any one asks it was the one that Atty Jim Trotter III was actually talking about when he voir dire Miss Mona Lisa Vito..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-UHY6HXdU
How hard would it be
To take one under hood pic, maybe the hood is inoperable.
I like it. It amazing how many survived. It is also amazing how many cool hot rodded, high school type units are still humming.
Amazing that it has only had two owners in 67 years
I have several I bought from the original owners back in the early 80s.
So Chris, how many do you still have and what kind of shape are they in?
We are thinking the same on only two owners, but very well could be. My Mom’s cousin bought a new 57 and kept it until they passed, I don’t know who ended up with it, but it was always keep in Shop It was covered and on jack stands, it was also started once a month and was pristine. I believe it was polished about every year, nice and shiny, no rust anywhere 42,000 original miles. Some lucky relative probably owns it now.
It looks great from what you can see,but the lack of pictures and information makes me lose interest quick.
Beautiful car. We grew up at the right time for automobiles. Still eye catching today.
In the early/mid 60s, these cars were 10 year old beaters, and grannies Chevy was many a 1st car for budding motorheads. Oh, we promised we’d “take care of it”,and we did. Gramps was gone, or out of it, and she never knew anyway. Practically every gas station that had a garage( remember those?) had a ’56 Chevy 2 door parked at the side, that the after school attendant had. Every week, some new doo-dad adorned the car, wiping out the paycheck, but we lived at home, and was no big deal. Insurance? Pfft, on dads policy, parts? Local junkyard had it all. $5 bucks got you a used starter, a carb, some belts, and an insignia, AND, enough money left to ride the bus home with your treasures. What’s really neat, is that scenario went on all across this country, and was a fun time, for sure. This car is very representative of that era,,except the cost, of course. The fun part for us, was how cheaply we could do these things. Eat your hearts( or wallets) out, punks.
I apologize for using the word “punks”. I believe I’ve become my old man.
The V on the hood and the trunk lid would indicate that it left the factory with a V8.
David Placey
My father had a 56 2 door automatic he bought new. Remember well. Unfortunately the cars last mission was rounding up the cattle on a dairy farm around 1963 in northern NH. Transmission died and car was pushed into the woods to its final resting place.
Not a patina person but to each his own. This could be a nice car though. I’d paint it and drive it.
Meds?
Say what? No comprende!