When most buyers flocked to the new Chevrolet Sport Coupes for 1955-57, they usually migrated to the nicer Bel Air editions. But you could also enjoy that body style with the mid-range 210 like the seller’s car. The sheet metal on this one is said to be original, although the floors and a bunch of mechanical pieces have been replaced, not to mention the engine and transmission. Located in St. Clairsville, Ohio, this two-tone Tri-Five is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $20,200. But there is a reserve to be met or you can skip the chase and go for the $25,000 Buy It Now option.
Chevrolet built nearly five million automobiles between 1955 and 1957, and they remain popular with collectors even today. In 1956, 1.6 million copies left the Bow-Tie assembly lines, including 130,000 Bel Air Sport Coupes. For those wanting a little less glitz, a smaller group of buyers opted for the 210 Sport Coupe, which saw 19,000 units by comparison. So, they may be harder to find 65 years later.
The seller has owned this Chevy for two years and has done quite a bit of work to it, suggesting it may have been a “barn find.” New parts and components include the gas tank, carburetor, starter, brakes, radiator, hoses, water pump, suspension parts, and the Flowmaster exhaust system. The original drivetrain was replaced at some point with a more modern 350 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission.
Inside the car, things aren’t perfect, but workable, nonetheless. The upholstery may have been changed at some point. The floor pans under the carpeting are new and the undercarriage looks quite nice. We’re told the car runs and drives great, so you could take the white over turquoise cruiser to car shows as it is or maybe invest in a new paint job. But if this is the original finish, they’re only that way once.
As nice as this car is it deserves new paint and engine compartment detail. Owned a ’54 210 and as this car shows didn’t give anything away in the looks department to the Bel Airs.
Plenty effort to make it go,not much to make it slow.One broken brake line away from a big problem.Needs a dual master cylinder.
I agree. I’m baffled when I see when I see a modified car with a single master cylinder. I can ALMOST see it in a restored original car but if the car is regularly driven and not shown at concours type events, I’d still convert it to a dual.
Totally agree with you Harvey about brake upgrades. Amazing how those tiny master cylinders stopped all of those big cars years ago. Could use paint and a nice set of wheels. It’s not original, so I think I would ditch the whitewalls. I like the seats, have a ’70’s look to them. This would be a fun car to own.
A nice, old school hot rod. These things were $600 back in the 70’s. $25k is too steep.
A 210 Hardtop is very cool, and rarer than a Sedan. The Hardtop has a roof that is, supposedly, 3 inches lower than a Sedan. A factory chop!
I prefer post that’s just my opinion,my brother had 56 I had 57 used to love going to full service gas station and watch them trying to find tank.
Love the coupe. Dad had a 56 BelAir in the same colors. Had a 3 on the tree. I was about 6 when he taught me to shift it to 2nd and 3rd. I stood on the seat next to him. Not sure who had a bigger smile when I would do it in sync, him or me.
The ’56 Chevy 2 door is another of those iconic vehicles. For some reason, it had a much bigger following than ’55 or ’57. I had a friend, he had a ’56, 2 door, called it ” La Bamba”, usual scenario, his Auntie Gladys GAVE him the car when Uncle Phil passed away, yeah, anyway, a great find, it’s done correctly. I don’t want to start an “update” war, but I have a LOT of miles on vehicles with single masters and drum brakes. It’s not the “death sentence” some make it out to seem. It’s all about how you drive, I rarely had any problem, fact is, I’ve had more problems with truck air brakes, than ever with these. I think P/S would be a better option to have. Still a cool find.
I know that millions of Mike’s have been driven with single master cylinders. I had a friend who had a beautiful ’57 Ford who barreled into the back of a semi because one rubber line failed. He was injured but not seriously. I’ll opt for dual master cylinders in my vehicles.
Hi Brian, don’t get me wrong, I too like the safety of a dual circuit master. Single masters were a sign of the times. Driving generally, wasn’t barreling down a 6 lane freeway at 85 mph, 3 feet away from the next vehicle, like today. Most driving was slower city driving, and the cars were tanks, so in the event of a failure, it wasn’t such a big deal. In a rural setting, the ditch usually sufficed. As roads improved, and speeds increased, a better system was needed. I believe it was Rambler that had the 1st dual circuit system in the early 60s.
I lost LF brake hose on my 57 , turning in friends drive ,It was either rear end his brand new SS Monte Carlo or corner of concrete block garage,I chose garage, hit with right front Bumper, slight damage to car,no damage to garage.
Two Years ownership, lots of work, WHY is he selling it? Just curious.
I thought a 210 was a 2 door post, not a hard top.
210s came in 2 & 4dr sedans, 2 & 4dr hts (new for 56) and wagons. The only model they didn’t have was a convert (which WAS available as a 210 in 1953!).
Thanks for the info.
Looks like the seller replaced the body bolts with cheap dollar store ones , i sure hope not !