Some enthusiasts will look at a classic car and have clear and unwavering visions of its future. Others will struggle as they ponder whether preservation, restoration or a custom build is the most appropriate path. That is the decision facing the new owner of this 1956 Chevrolet 210 4-Door Sedan. It is a choice they won’t need to rush because it is a solid driver that allows them time to weigh up their options. It requires a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Waukee, Iowa. They set their price at $9,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this promising project.
The history of this Chevy is unclear, although its overall condition suggests it has never undergone any form of restoration. Its Code 755 combination of Calypso Cream and Onyx Black would have looked stunning when the original owner took delivery, but it shows significant deterioration. Surface corrosion has emerged where the paint has peeled away, but it doesn’t appear much of it has leaped into the world of penetrating rust. Therefore, treating it to prevent further deterioration could be possible if preservation is the name of the game. The car’s underside shows rust in one inner rocker, but the floors and frame have little beyond the expected surface corrosion. The trim looks excellent for a survivor of this vintage, and there are no apparent glass issues.
Chevrolet introduced a V8 into the 210 range in 1955, with this ’56 model featuring the 265ci that sends 170hp and 257 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a two-speed Powerglide transmission. Both figures appear modest but mark a 20% improvement over those produced by the venerable 235ci Blue Flame six. Naturally, acceleration and outright speed benefit from the higher figures, with this car capable of nudging 100mph. The seller claims this beauty has a genuine 84,000 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. However, it runs and drives extremely well, meaning the buyer can slip behind the wheel for some immediate classic motoring fun.
This 210’s interior painted surfaces are in good order, although the upholstered ones aren’t as impressive. The rear seat base is a replacement, with its cover not matching the rest of the trim. A complete refurbishment would seem the obvious choice, but there are options worth considering. It is serviceable, and with good slipcovers over the seats, it could remain unchanged for years. If the buyer is performing a restoration on a tight budget, that approach would allow them to squirrel away the approximately $2,000 it would cost for a complete interior trim kit. If a custom build is the goal, all bets are off, and they could choose upholstery and trim to suit their taste and vision.
Chevrolet produced 737,371 examples of the 1956 210 across all variants, with the 4-Door Sedan’s total of 283,125 confirming that it was easily the most popular among buyers. Although the 2-Door models tend to be considered more desirable among enthusiasts, cars like this are a practical alternative for buyers with a family. Choosing which future path to tread with this gem will not be easy, but its mechanical health and lack of significant rust mean the new owner won’t have to rush their decision. It is a proud survivor, meaning preservation is viable. It would look stunning fully restored but possesses the foundations of a satisfying custom build. Which path would you follow with this affordable classic?
She’s a beauty
You gotta love a quad cab. At first I would prep the Calypso part of the paint and respray that, then weld in a patch for the inner rocker. Like Adam said, you can take your time deciding your final intentions, if anything at all.
Dry ice the bottom, Fluid Film, drive. No stupid expensive paint or LS swap. Simple cars that don’t flash idiot lights at you daily are dinosaurs thanks to a public that demands everything and cries like a screaming baby if they don’t get power everything so they can use a phone instead of actually driving.
This is the only type of Tri-five Chevy I will look at. Unlike the zillions of over-modified Tri-fives out there, this car actually takes you back to 1956.
Beautiful looking car! 1956 has always been my favourite year for the “Tri-Five” Chevys. Assuming everything is solid, with no rust holes anywhere or a bent frame, I don’t mind patina. This would make an awesome resto.
I owned a 56 back in 1974, and it had been housed in a garage by a widow who only kept it because her husband loved it so much. I was a teacher in those days, and I needed a second car to get around in north central Texas. She liked me and sold it to me for $500. I drove it for 3 years before being transferred out of state, and I sold it to a responsible kid whose single mom needed help with the 3 younger kids… same price that I bought it.. $500 (but I had replaced all the belts, new tires, and had the brakes updated.
I miss that old car, I had 2 young daughters at the time, and they absolutely loved that back seat. My coloring was a two-tone tan and white.
I’m a 1956 model with patina & rust also! What a nice car at a nice price. I say make minimal necessary repairs & drive it like it’s 1956, a rarity.
My father bought a ’56 210 4 door new, he died in ’59, I saw to its maintenance until ’68, and possessed it off and on, my mother and sisters using it off and on, beginning way back in ’56 it was the only car my friends’ parents would let them ride in for long distances – to the Langhorne Speedway outside Philly for example, or to the Jersey Shore from Philly -, then much later, in college the only car my friends would trust to drive us to NYC from CT, it always started, always ran smoothly, no issue going 70 mph, and later, my daily transportation, since I did not dare park my Corvette anywhere for a long period of time (like an hour) since it was a target for being stolen – a hubcap did get stolen, I had marked the interior with the VIN, and the guy had the balls to sell it back to me. Since the crooks were running the police department (Waterbury, CT in 1968) I just paid him the $25 and put it back on the wheel. But nobody tried to steal the ’56 Chevy. IF I were to buy this, I would install seat belts, dual master cylinder, and front disc brakes – the brakes were the weak point and it was easy to over do them, radial tires, repaint it, and drive it. No museum will ever want it, so have fun with it. The upholstery is not original, the original was very fragile, and was beyond repair at 4 years, Sears seat covers thereafter. The Powerglide transmission was bullet proof, only one problem, once, in its 140,000 mile life, and that fixed itself.
I was 3 years old in 1956. But it didn’t take me long to know the cars of the day. I lean towards the ’55 more although this ’56 looks to be real nice. I’m not sure about the paint on this one. Would solid black outside be to much for this? Maybe not if it had some small detailing in just the right places. Interior looks nice and would either replace front seat or rebuild it. You can do a lot with a car like this but I hope new owner keeps close to original.
IMHO.
Finally! A picture of the engine with the air cleaner.
Had a ‘55 210. Got in a crash on U.S. 101, and it landed on the roof. Five, walked away with only scratches. These had heavy sheet metal, not like the cars today.
Same for me but in a ’55 Pontiac
Dad had a ‘56 Bel Air Deluxe Convertible. Always got a kick out of the gas cap being hidden behind the left tail light.
My older brother learned to drive on that car, but only in the driveway .Back and forth, back and forth.
Dad traded it in for a ‘58 Olds 88. When the Chev went back to the dealer , my Black Diamond Yo Yo was in the back seat. Never got it back.
Bummer.
My comment on this car is a matter of personal taste. It seems, on occasion , the absolute worst colour combinations are survivors!
If it was mine , I’d have to change that , maybe all black.
Was that a Duncan?
I believe it was!
There used to be a YoYo salesman that would come to our school and put on demonstrations.
Don’t know how he swung that but he kept coming back all through grade school.
Walking the dog, around the world, cat’s cradle, you name it. He was amazing.
Greg Brady had a 56 conv.
He must have had a bunch of fun in it.
I had a ’56 4 door hardtop in canary yellow in 1973. Sold it for I think 250 bucks as I was leaving town. Was I a dope! Love the dashboard.Looking at it makes me feel like I’m 19 all over again.