It seems that the Tri-Five Chevies are popular choices when it comes to doing “shorty” conversions – taking out the length between the front door and rear wheel wells. If you do a shorty Chevy search on Google, these pop up a lot. This shorty is based on a 1956 Chevrolet station wagon, likely a 150 or 210 model. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this wagon has the benefit of a modern drivetrain and looks sharp. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $22,500. Our thanks to Channing for this tip!
The Chevies were all new in 1955 and – over three years – more than 4.5 million cars were produced. If you assume that a 2-door wagon was the basis for this transformation, the field narrows to 18,500 150s and 29,500 210s built during 1956. There were no Bel Air wagons offered with two doors except the Nomad, which this surely was not.
We’re not given any details on how the chop job was done, which would be important in learning how competently the work was performed. The paint and bodywork look nice, with the wagon finished in white over yellow with special pinstriping. The rear bumper is body-colored and there is no grille or bumper out front, either by design or they’re simply just not there. We’re told the mileage is 30,000 but we don’t know if that’s before or after all the work.
Whatever drivetrain was present to begin with has been replaced by a 350 V8 paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission. The seller says it runs well and will really haul the mail when you get down on it. He/she adds that it handles good and there would be no trouble driving it anywhere, suggesting that quality workmanship was involved in this project. The seats and steering wheel have been upgraded by at least 20 model years. The seller would entertain a trade but doesn’t specify what he/she might be interested in. If you’re looking for a Tri-Five shorty, is this one in your budget range?
How to turn a $20,000 car into a $10,000 car in one easy hard-learned lesson, and lose 10K in the process!
$10,000 is too generous.
Steve R
This is proof of the old saying, “ Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
With that short wheelbase buyer’s remorse will kick in as soon as the car is driven any appreciable distance.
I know its a personal preference, but I have zero interest in these. To me, its like you have wrecked a perfectly nice car. I just don’t see the benefit of these things. To add insult to injury, they want $22500.00? I just don’t understand their reasoning.
.
These were all built when four door wagons were near worthless. Some were properly engineered but most were hack jobs. I’m sure they perform well in a straight line but I’ll bet the handling is atrocious. Seller is dreaming price wise.
“Stupid is as stupid does”….F. Gump
You would, literally, have to pay ME to take this off of your hands. I would not pay a dime for it and, would immediately list it for auction at NO RESERVE, taking the high bid, regardless.
What a waste. Ruined a perfectly good wagon
..or built from 2, a front end total and a rear end total. In which case it ruined 2 cars that were still better off the way they were.
20 grand too much. I wouldn’t drive it around the block even if it was safe to do so.
Hideous!
There used to be a lot of shoebox “shortys” running around, but the coolest were the chopped 4-doors. They were even shorter than this one and looked better.
Cars for “Short People”