Chevrolet sold a bundle of automobiles from 1955 to 1957, referred to later as the “Tri-Fives”. Besides all-new styling, the cars had the first V8 engine offered by Chevrolet since 1918. The Bel Air was the upscale model and Chevy sold 105,000 of them in 1956 in the 2-door sedan body style like the seller’s vehicle. It was nearly as popular as the Sport Coupe (pillarless hardtop). This Bel Air is an older restoration that’s largely been in storage for the past 10 years. It has a lot of newer parts with less than 5,000 miles.
This car’s VIN decodes as having had a six-cylinder engine when it was built. Somewhere around 2010 (we think), it gained a rebuilt 350 cubic inch V8 with some mods, but nothing over the top. It also has a TH-400 automatic transmission with a 2500 converter. But things didn’t stop there. The brakes were redone, the front and rear ends were rebuilt, the gas tank was replaced, and part of the interior was redone. And then it sat mostly for the next 10 years.
The custom paint job and decals date nearly 40 years, perhaps the early 1980s. That’s when the mag wheels were added. It looks good overall, but the seller says the paint could use refreshing. We’re told it runs fine, but the transmission needs a kickdown and the steering box could use a tune-up. After that, throw in some new carpet and a headliner and you should have a car to enjoy.
If you don’t mind having a Tri-Five that’s been brought out of the 1950s, this one’s located in Raymond, Washington, awaiting a new home. Give it some TLC and off you go to Cars & Coffee. It’s available here on craigslist for $15,000. This could be a fun acquisition. We appreciate Barn Finder Tony Primo for bringing another great tip our way!
Nice car, but the guy who cut the rear wheel openings should have quit after the first beer.
Just something about a ’56. While many of us may not remember a ’56 done to this detail, they were the absolute favorite car to hot rod. Not so much for the strip, but for street racing, the ’56 Chevy was king. The green is a refreshing( pun intended) sight, and the original 6 tells me, this car did an about face, from its humble beginnings as Uncle Freds and Auntie Alices car. It’s not a Barris custom, but then, it doesn’t have to be. A ’56 Chevy 2 door hot rod of any kind speaks volumes, or should.
Engineering student in college had a ’56 four door hardtop with a running gear that pulled the car up to over 150 mph. Engine turned to 10,000, 4 speed trans had an overdrive that he engineered to work on all four gears and there were suspension mods that insured the car was stable at high speed. Sound of that engine was worth all of it. How do l know how fast it went? We got the local Highway Patrol officer (there was only one) to loan us his radar gun on the premise we were going to the drag strip to test the car. What we did was go out to the 3 mile straight road just outside campus at 2 in the morning and drag race him with one of our Olds powered Studebaker coupes. We out drug him but he was faster than us by 3 mph letting it all hang out.
This is not an older restoration and I’m willing to bet this car got the 350 way farther back than 2010. Also those aren’t mag wheels and definitely weren’t on this car 40 years ago. I agree with bobhess whomever cut the rear wells out should have their sawzall taken away.
I third the motion about the wheel wells, lock his toolbox up.
I’m not an anti-flaming guy , but these flames are placed in strange places.
A tasteful resto. If I was in the market, this car would find a home in my driveway.
They may have cut the wheel openings 50 years ago to get rid of rust and make room for big meats out back. Back then these only sold for a couple hundred bucks. This one looks solid otherwise and for 15 grand you don’t get much of tri-5 these days, unless you want a 4-door. I see now you can buy kits to make a 4-door into a 2-door, but they ain’t cheap. A lot to work with here.
The rear wheel openings appear to have been filled behind the wheel. The rear part of the opening should have a long taper like the front fenders. Kind of an odd mod, but it’s a running, driving, not rotted out or dented up car for only $15K. Not bad IMO
The first real rod I owned was a ’56 210 with some mods. Came out one day and it was gone never to be found. Wish I had the room for this one, wierd wheel wells included.
If this is a true Bel-air there should stainless trim around the side windows.