One reason you still see a lot of “Tri-Five” 1955-57 Chevrolets around is because nearly five million of them were produced. The Bel Air was the top trim level and nearly 42,000 of them built in 1956 were convertibles like this one. The seller acknowledges this one is a project, needing new paint and a new interior – and maybe more. But for now, you could drive it to Cars & Coffee until you were ready to pull the trigger on a restoration.
Not everything about this ’56 Bel Air is original. For example, we’re told it has a 283 cubic inch V8, but that didn’t come along until 1957 so a 265 would have been in the car from the start. And the front bench seat looks to have been lifted from another car as the upholstery is not period-correct nor matches the vinyl on the rear seat. An automatic transmission is present, and we assume it’s the 2-speed Powerglide.
The Chevy is said to be a runner, but the seller is unsure if you should tackle a road trip just yet. The body and frame are solid (the right rear quarter panel is a little suspect), so prepping the automobile for new paint should be easier. The convertible top will also need replacing as it looks worn and out of shape in the photos. If you’re a fan of these Tri-Fives, this one resides in Assonet, Massachusetts, and is available here on eBay. $22,600 is the latest bid with no reserve in sight. Got room in your garage?
From all outward appearances this looks like a great prospect. Of course one would need to examine the bowels of the car to ascertain that.
Looks like a fun driver that you can just get it safe and enjoy a few years before total restoration
No room at the inn for this one. This car gives me a bad feelings and when that happens, I listen.
I wonder if engine OG with those blue valve covers, check the numbers. Sourcing a correct block & having re-built is thousands spent. Right rear quarter at bottom back looks like wrong angle, & other areas of amateur body work that I would want to re-do. I agree with Frog, go look underneath etc with this one.
Boy you’re talking about a special Chevy when finished. I wished I could see the it when finished.
Amateur work and not good work. Looks to me like this got a quickie paint and sloppy body work and not much else. Car is filthy, top is shot and probably so,is the rest of this car. Trunk looks scary and no pics of chassis? Way over priced on top of it all. Run Forest, run!
Seems like a lot of 1956 Bel Airs are gracing the Barn Finds pages lately.
As are the nomads.
is it my eyes or does that front end seems like it’s sagging. not even to mefront fender chrome looks like
jr year in high school I had a 1956 Chevy belaire convertible two tone blue had 1959 caddy tail lights and white pin strips in and out problem with it was it was a powergilde 6 cly it was a hand me down was my sister’s collage car nice car though traded for a 1958 Impala 348 factory 3 speed hardtop that was in 1963 sold convertible for $350
Odd….seller has one sale which looks like someone used the buyers card ? The other feedback is as a buyer…..
The script on the rear quarter is for a 210. The way the top sits tells me this may be a chop job- scary one- looks like it sold.