“Almost” is such a relative term. Absolutes, such as “none”, are a lot easier to comprehend because these words don’t leave any wiggle room for the mind to have to think about. The seller of this Chevrolet Bel Air says that this car is almost rust-free, and has even written part of his sentence in all caps: “This car is almost RUST FREE”. Perhaps if you take surface rust out of the equation entirely, and change the almost rust-free connotation to something like, “The car has only minimal rust” or “The car has no major rust issues”, it might be a more accurate depiction. The car is what it is, and from a glass-half-full standpoint, it really does look like a good candidate for restoration. If you’ve been looking for a mid-fifties Chevy to take on as a project, this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air might be a good car for you. It’s located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and can be seen here on eBay with a current bid of $7,600 and the reserve not met. Barn Finds would like to again thank reader Larry D. for another great tip on this one.
In all fairness, the seller does do an overall good job describing his ’56, and the photos he included seem to give potential buyers a pretty good idea of what they’re getting here. Once you get past the patina and the surface, this really does seem to be a pretty solid car, and we’ve seen quite a few ’55 through ’57s that are in far worse condition. While it’s not exactly attractive, inside the trunk is looking like a rigid compartment, and the seller claims that the floors are “insanely solid” so there may not be much work to be done in either area. There is some rust behind the rear bumper, which the seller points out, as well as some pinholes on the passenger side rocker panel.
Inside, the dash is looking complete but the driver’s door panel is missing, and the remaining panels and seats are going to need some extensive repairs or replacement. And if that Western Auto steering wheel stays, I hope the next owner calls up J.C. Whitney and orders a pair of fuzzy dice for the mirror!
The original 265 cubic inch V8 is still in place, although it is said to be stuck, probably from sitting for 40 years as the vehicle was last registered and licensed in 1982. The car also retains its original Powerglide transmission, but no mention of whether it is functioning or not. The car is said to roll around freely, and although the brakes aren’t stuck they are also not working properly either. The good news from under the hood is that the fender wells and firewall are looking decent and solid.
While there is quite a bit of surface rust underneath, a lot of it doesn’t appear to go below the skin, although there are a couple of other photos that do reveal a few holes. What are your thoughts on this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air?
Headlight eyebrows are always suspect on these tri-fives.
Notice it has one piece bumpers,I have own 55,56,&57,mine all had 3 piece,was always told one piece are California, don’t know if this is true.
The one piece bumper is a California thing, they had a law back in the day that said the front bumper had to be one piece. The one on my 57 is going to need re-chromed one of these days. I’m not looking forward to the bill on that one.
“Almost rust free”..meaning it has no rust except where it does.
Almost? I almost won the lottery once.
“almost rust free” means you still have to pay for the rust, just not so much.
This car needs everything! How is it already at $8,400 with the reserve not being met? After whatever the final price is, you put $35K-$50K into it, is it worth it?
Not worth it unless you just have to have this particular car. You are much better off to find a restored one and enjoy it today instead of a few years down the road. Like Camaro Joe said the one piece bumpers alone are very expensive to replate and will most likely set you back one large each at today’s prices.
Dana Point John…. MY answer to your question Is H…….No!!!!!! I’ve bought Parts Cars in way better condition than this Rust Bucket Basket Case for 3, 4 & $500. I can’t believe the Insane prices people are asking for these Cars that need EVERYTHING!!!!!
My brother has a 56. Paid to have it restored. Full frame off and absolutely everything done to a very high level. Even got the power pack heads and dual quad set up. He spent over 80k plus original purchase. Now it is a show car but .maybe worth 45k
Rbiig18, It’s worth More than that IF it is a 2 Dr. Hdtp B.A., But I don’t think it’s worth quite what he has into it.. + lessor models are worth less!
57Chevy, it is indeed a Bel-Air, 2dr hardtop. As kids our dad restored a 56 Bel-Air 2dr Post car and that really drives our love of the 56.
Nobody likes the grammar police, but I think he meant to write “the rust’s free”.
How would he know if the transmission works if the engine’s locked up?
You know, there was a time,,( oh, here we go again, no listen, yeah, I’m bored) when the ’56 Chevy 2 door 210( I think it’s a 210) was the standard car to hot rod. I think it may qualify as the VERY 1st for many. Let’s go back, shall we, before that #*%@Xin’ war, early 60’s, these cars were $100 beaters, their owners trading up to more modern cars, the ’56, once the epitome of modern, suddenly was a beater and adorned many a “back row”. Couple that to guys graduating HS in 1962, pump jockey job and a V8 ’56 Chevy, it was the basis for many a gearhead. It didn’t get any better. Not ’55, even though 2 Lane Blacktop hailed it, not ’57, too glitzy, the ’56 was just right.
Is this worth it? The eternal question,,yes and no. Seems today, all these “Tri-5’s” are dressed up with “clown wheels” today, interiors they never dreamed of, and motors,,well, it totally detracts from the coolness factor of a stock ’56, I think.
As a sidebar to a ’56 Chevy, on an episode of Adam-12 ( I forget which one) the men are called to a disturbance at a car dealer. Upon arriving, they find a young man arguing that he wanted his money back on a 2 door ’56 Chevy like this he didn’t like. Naturally the car lot owner refused, but eventually gave the guy his money back. Price on the window? $495.00,,,
It’s a BelAir. Actually there are fewer 56s on the road today because everyone wanted the 55 and 57 back in the day. Many 56s went to the crusher or donated parts to the others.
I think a lot of “would be” classic cars were in the car lot $250 back-row category. The ones mention in this article, the ’60’s models Chevies and Ford’s and then the Mopars. After five or six years, people wanted new, more fuel-efficient cars. I owned several of these and when the gas crunch of the ’70’s began, I unloaded and went economy.
Thanks, Mike.
I always find it frustrating when they post their cars for sale and let you waste your time submitting A bid only to be told Reserve not met. Post it with a buy it now so we kinda get a idea what you want for your rust bucket. Or start your bidding at your reserve price
Nit Pick…. Likely not an original 265 engine… I say that because the exhaust manifold shown, is definitely not a 1956 passenger manifold.
I always liked the 56 better than the 55, better styling
Hats off to Howard A . I just don’t get the “clown Wheel” thing makes it seem like no tire? Who came up with that anyway some wheel manufacturing co. A good old American tourque thrust or Keystone light gray 5 spoke . If really cool 14” frt and 15” rears. Just the way I grew up in the late 60s.
Got my 56 two door post by trading moms 57 Ford con.even up. .My friend want something running as his dad rebuilt the 265 in it and never got it running. .Pulled it home and and my dad told me to put in 3rd gear and let the clutch out when we got going, engine turned over but spit and popped but didn’t start. Got home dad pulled the distributor out turned it 180 and dropped it back in. Started up and he set the timing, ran great and drove last 3 years in high school.