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Formidable Fruit: 1956 Chevy Bel Air

This overripe ride certainly evokes an aggressive presence. It looks just as described on the side, a bad apple indeed. Are you interested in taking a bite out of this 1956 Chevy Bel Air that is stated to be a period correct drag racer, located in Springfield, Ohio? The price is listed as a buy it now for $27,000, but also has the ability to place a bid, and it has a reserve which is unknown. You can view more on eBay.

It is bad apple in many ways. The 409 cubic inch engine has no serial number on it, so it was more than likely a crate motor put in some time ago. It has recently been rebuilt and has 1,000 miles on it. Power is supposed to be at 425 horses and is connected to a Muncie 4 speed transmission with a 410 Positraction rear end. Hopefully the motor adds furry to the car and doesn’t leave you with just a sour looking apple.

Surprisingly, the interior is quite nice. The black, probably faux leather and red accents look menacing and fit the overall attitude of the car. There is some rust and age to the floors and in the trunk, but nothing that seems like it needs to be fixed immediately. The back seats are in just as good of condition as the front. That means you can take your seeds with you, so they don’t fall far from the tree.

The seller has made note that the tires are not included with the price of the car. They will be sold extra if you so choose. Also indicated is that if the car does not sell or meet reserve, they might just sell the motor. However it ends up, this car certainly would be intimidating if met at a stop light. Just make sure to control yourself and don’t let this bad apple get you into trouble. Be safe and take it to the track.

Comments

  1. Barzini

    I love the stance, hand painted lettering, slot wheels, and so much more about this car. I wonder what it will sell for.

    Like 4
  2. Jay E.

    If I lived where a car like this was even remotely practical I would bid on this. It would fit right in with the old guy driving it. The only thing I would change would be to remove the shiny chrome bumpers. Price seems in line too. I even have an old set of vintage American slots that would mount right up!

    Like 3
  3. mlm

    The’56 is my favorite of the Tri-Fives and this baby looks sweet but it is forbidden fruit for me.

    Like 7
  4. Andre

    Sorry but no way that’s an SS/C speed car. I smell a phony (although don’t get me wrong a 409 powered tri-five is cool regardless).

    Like 12
    • Steve R

      It’s a street car with lettering. The seller never even tries to suggests it was a race car. Nothing other than the painted lettering would even hint it that it was a race car, but the class designation is wrong and as a whole looks artificially aged.

      Unless the 409 is worth in excess of $15,000 the BIN is not realistic.

      Steve R

      Like 16
      • Maltese Falcon

        At the very top of the Ebay ad:

        “1956 CHEVROLET BELAIR POST PERIOD CORRECT DRAG RACE CAR 409 425 hp 4 SPEED POSI”

        I think he’s **sorta** suggesting it was a ‘drag race’ car…

        Like 6
  5. jw454

    If you combine the weight of that engine with the size of the steering wheel along with the lack of power steering….. well, good luck getting around corners at low speeds. I had a 1957 model with that same combination and at times, in the middle of a parallel parking attempt, I had to stop and let the blood run back into my arms.
    I’ve seen this car in person. The pictures tell the story of it’s condition pretty well. It’s been for sale off and on for a couple of years.

    Like 11
  6. John

    I largely doubt that this car was ever built as a race car in the 60’s. The sellers willingness to split it up, no remarks about the history of the build-etc… neat-but no thanks especially at that price you don’t get the car as it’s pictured.. bogus man..

    Like 1
  7. Retired Stig

    I go along with Steve R. Fauxtina car. No roll bar, no radiused wheel wells, etc. As such it’s a cool motor in a crappy body, with some repo trim and bumpers. Love the ’56 out all the tri-fives, this could very cool with proper body and paint, updated charging system and brakes.

    Like 6
    • nojuan

      I would agree Fauxtina car, with a quick internet search Mick Lockhart appears still to be hand painting signs in Ohio

      Like 1
  8. Lawyer George

    $27000.00 for at best a $4000 dollar car? Insane. That car is at least 20K away in restoration work from being worth that much. Move over Rip Van Winkle as I need to go back to bed.Maybe when I wake up 20 years hence, I will find that I only dreamt that I saw this ad.

    Like 1
    • mlm

      LOL. Yes this seller is dreaming.

      Like 0
  9. Madmatt

    For 27G I can’t even have the tires/wheels..??
    For that kind of scratch,it should need very little,
    and come with documentation of a racing past.
    This looks like a lot will be required to make
    it “show n go n whoa”,but would certainly look great.
    The 56’s are really sweet,and a fave of mine,
    while I always get tired of seeing tri 5’s,
    ones that are different,I always love seeing..LOL.

    Like 12
  10. Paul Grumsha

    Everyone here would take that car in a New York Minute! And you know it too! You know cars did race back in the 60’s & 70’s with the biggest tire /wheel combo that they could run without carving up their street car ride up. I’d put in a Hone o.d. unit in it and have a riot!

    Like 3
  11. Steve A

    Tires not included??? SERIOUSLY???? For the money he’s asking, he should include the tires and a whole lot more!!!! Wow.
    LOL

    Like 13
  12. Classic Steel

    Well I guess it’s true that Ohio is tight on their wallet but this priced vehicle is where one should get a pole barn erected to store it… lol (not a big one but some car unit)

    Come on seller throw the wheels in and drop ten grand
    too….

    Like 3
  13. Brian Gould

    More like fermented fruit.

    Like 4
  14. Gaspumpchas

    You guys said it all…if you do the buy it now for 27 large he will throw in the hallibrands?? Same old song, thinks it worth a fortune. I do like the car but out of range for a bogus drag car!!

    Good luck to the new owner, you could have fun with this cool 56

    Like 4
  15. Rayz

    No wheels and tires is a deal breaker

    Like 2
  16. skibum2

    Here ya go, this is the fake one that I built.. police would pull me over all the time.. Straight axle, large tires with custom paint.. Hahahaha… had a 283 and powerglide.. so quiet that the police wouldn’t even know it was running.. loved it..

    Like 8
    • Steve R

      It’s not a fake, it’s a street machine. It becomes fake when lettering and class designation is added to a street car to try and pass it off as a race car.

      Steve R

      Like 4
  17. Joseph

    Cool looking car. It was actually posted for sale about a year ago:
    https://barnfinds.com/409-powered-1956-chevrolet-drag-car/

    Like 0

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