With its lowered suspension and Cragar S/S wheels, this 1956 Chevrolet 210 Handyman Wagon doesn’t exactly qualify as a sleeper, although it does pack a decent surprise under the hood! And while the outside patina screams all-business, there are some unexpected niceties too once you get inside, so this one’s kind of got a Jekyll and Hyde personality, albeit mostly the latter. The wagon is located in Ocoee, Florida, with bidding here on eBay sitting at $35,100, but that’s still not enough for it to be yours as the reserve has not been met.
The seller says this one has spent most of its previous days in the high desert climate of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and describes it as just the opposite of a barn find, as it’s been outside nearly every day of its entire life. I realize opinions vary, but that body has got the kind of mean look that money can’t buy, and I’d have to leave every piece and panel just the way it is! The wagon is said to have mostly new glass installed and a few new chrome pieces, but most of the chrome is old.
Here’s that surprise I was telling you about. Under the hood is a 1998 Chevrolet 5.7 liter Vortec V8, which in stock configuration produced 225 horsepower, and seems like plenty to get this 210 from point A to point B quickly. It’s got some nice aftermarket dress-up components on it as well, and things inside the engine compartment look tidy and raring to go. More good news is that the number 350 stops with the motor, as the automatic transmission is a Turbo 400, which should be able to hold up nicely with just about any workout that Vortec can give it.
I really wasn’t at all prepared for how much attention has been given to the interior. It looks downright beautiful in there! Those custom-sewn power bucket seats seem like their comfort would last for hours, and the back seat isn’t too shabby either. There’s a tilt-steering column and even air conditioning, so only inside is the one place in the car where the Jekyll mindset really shines through, except for the Hyde shifter. I’m really liking the contrasting personality of this one and thinking the next owner is going to have a really fun and unique ride here. What are your thoughts on this 1956 Chevrolet 210 Handyman Wagon?
My thoughts are that I hope the buyer has money left to put a good coat of paint on this car after he/she buys it. No changes, just paint.
You set yourself up for trouble without a bumper!
These engines are called Vortec, not Vortex LOL.
No link to the auction?
The link has been added! Sorry about that.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about the front bumper, it and the luggage tack and the Cragers, it is all a part of the build and the vibe. It works! If you buy it’s easy to change it up. I have had Patina cars, painted almost show cars and everything in between, and that makes it all interesting.
I would leave like it is what a nice car
As Tim Allen said…”Need more power” I would leave “all is” except for the 5.7 Vortec. Pull that out, cam it and build it up or go the next step and LS it. That 400 Turbo tranny is begging to be punished…with this look you need to leave cars & coffee in a cloud of tire smoke!
I’d leave it as is except for one thing, a cam. The Vortec heads have a super efficient combustion chamber, and the block already has a roller cam, it just needs more lift and duration.
Love it I would put the shine juice on it and leave it be https://www.pinterest.com/pin/204702745551497104/
Whatever sinks your battleship. If I was stuck in drab and disorderly, at least a novelty makeover. Maybe neopolitan or leopard print. Anything but that hideous junkyard patina
Put a bumper on it , ditch the patina for some color .
Leave it or love it 😀
I’ll LEAVE it, thanks!
I really, really like this. I would leave leave the old chrome, but would Faux patina the bumper and wheels to match. Love the stance. Years ago, someone put a lot of sanding effort into the car before giving up and leaving it outside and the look is now interesting. But I would definitely put a flat clearcoat ( and perhaps scotchbrite that) to preserve the look.
“Attack of the Patina Monster” soon to be at a theater near you.
what did they do for BRAKES.
How much?
Nothing is more fun than pulling up beside kids laughing and then just blowing the doors off them. Love this sleeper car!
That’s a lot of money for a car that needs a lot of rust repair and a paint job
I despise the Patina look on any car. This should be Clear Coated. Love the interior and colors.
Myself I’d leave the finish alone and with the exception of upgrading to a built overdrive trans I’d drive it.
There is something to be said about an old car that you can drive around and not worry about scratching the paint. You can sit on the Fender if you want to and not be concerned about damaging the finish. And not have to worry about cleaning and waxing the It every time you take it out.
Just looking at the rust on the driver side windshield post, doesn’t look like surface rust. More must be lurking, kind of scary.
What a wiring nightmare. How many unfused leads do you need coming off the battery? What was the guy thinking when he took a hammer to the oil pan? Was he afraid it would scrape the ground? The builder should know better. Fix issues and don’t spend another dime. Great car.
Nice car. Absolutely love the interior. All it needs is to come apart for a paint and be reassembled.
That’s what I was thinking. I realize it is an antique but the left front fender looks like it has rust through holes in it. So, that makes you wonder about the floor boards and other areas underneath. You can spend a lot of money and never get to the paint. $35,000 and reserve not met??? The vortex makes it an eye brow raiser but you could have $50 grand in it or more. I am really hesitant about this one.
’55 was a better looker in my book.
35 Grand for this Rust Bucket & Reserve Not met??? Are you kidding Me? Take off a 0 & still over priced. Take off 2 0’s & that would be more in the ball park! Sheeeeesh!
Just my opinion of course, but …
Everything is wrong about this car, except for the fact that it is a handyman special.
It’s trying way too hard to be something it’ll never be, which cost the seller a whole lot of money.
35,000? My guess owner is trying to recoup money spent? We all know that doesn’t work well.
Wow, A 1956 Chevy 210 that looks like it’s seen better days, “I know” let’s put a nice motor in it and some updated frontend parts, nice interior and some nice wheels and sell it for 40k +. The ad on ebay refers to this as a muscle car, I think they should have called it a ratrod
I think they should have called it what is IS…..a Rust bucket! Even if someone got it for what the high bid is Now, by the time they do All the body work, prepping, replacing all the parts that need to be replaced, they will have well over 50 grand in this car. Geez, it’s a 210 Station Wagon folks, Not a convertible or Nomad!