There’s something about Tri-Five Chevrolets that grab the public’s imagination. The styling is crisp and sharp, while the company offered some excellent drivetrain options. They have remained a staple of the custom scene for decades, which becomes apparent when we delve below the surface with this 1956 Bel Air. It has fallen upon hard times but richly deserves a new owner willing to breathe new life into this classic. They may elect a faithful restoration, although its custom upholstery could prove the catalyst for a retro approach. The Bel Air is listed for sale here on eBay in Douglasville, Georgia. Bidding sits at $5,756, although it is yet to hit the reserve.
The seller states that this Bel Air was last driven in 1970 by its original owner before they placed it into hibernation. That means it has remained hidden away for more than five decades. The intervening years haven’t been kind because its Pinecrest Green and India Ivory paint has been almost totally consumed by surface corrosion. However, that is the least of the buyer’s problems because there is rust that needs work. It has impacted the lower body extremities. We receive no information on the state of the floors, but the frame is rock-solid. The buyer will probably elect to strip the car and undertake a rotisserie restoration, as that would be the best option to return the body to a structurally sound state. Thankfully, replacement steel is readily available, and if the buyer is handy with the grinder and welder, that aspect of the build may not break the bank. The glass looks in good order, while the trim condition ranges from pieces that would polish nicely to those that require a trip to the platers.
It isn’t clear whether the Bel Air is numbers-matching, but it features a 265ci V8 and a two-speed Powerglide transmission. The seller includes some significant documentation with this classic. One item is the original Dealer Invoice. This slip of paper is gold, revealing that the car’s original owner added the optional Power Pack to that sweet little V8. That boosted its output from 162hp to 180hp. That’s a worthwhile gain, allowing the Bel Air to cover the ¼ mile in 19.1 seconds before winding its way to 101mph. It is more than fifty years since this classic last fired a shot in anger. Its mechanical condition is unknown, with no indication of whether the motor turns freely. These old Chevy engines are as tough as nails, meaning that if it turns, the new owner may be able to coax it back to life. I will add a note of caution because any prospective buyers should probably factor a rebuild into their budget. It may prove unnecessary, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
We’ve now reached the point where we can discuss what makes this Bel Air stand out in the crowd. The custom interior trim is sure to polarize opinion. Some readers will think it’s pretty cool, while others will argue that it ruins this classic. I’m undecided, but the appearance is distinctive. The seller indicates the work was professionally performed in California in 1964 and hasn’t been touched since. The dash pad shows deterioration, but the front seat and door trims are surprisingly good. Even the back seat has no significant issues, which opens a tantalizing possibility for some to consider. If a deep clean produces positive results, there may be no reason to do anything but replace the dash pad and install a new carpet set. That could make this Bel Air a fantastic candidate for a retro build, using paint colors, techniques, and wheels that would have been appropriate in 1964. It would be the ideal opportunity to pay a fitting tribute to the custom scene’s past glories. That prospect won’t appeal to most of our readers. However, I guarantee that it could tempt a few.
Reviving this 1956 Bel Air will be a labor of love and will take a person with a stout heart. They will almost certainly opt for a rotisserie restoration to achieve the best result, and the ready availability of replacement steel to address the rust will help their cause. Returning it to its factory specifications would command attention. However, while it is unclear whether the custom upholstery is good enough to consider viable, it could prove the perfect motivation for a retro approach. I’m surprised it has only received twelve bids, although plenty of time remains for the situation to change. Do you think the next owner will retain the custom interior, or will they opt for a factory appearance?
Might as well keep the upholstery as it is. The money and time to fix this one is going to be large. Save a few bucks wherever you can.