Our next car hit the road just two years before one of the most iconic series of cars ever produced in America, the Tri-Five Chevys. As it is, this 1953 Chevrolet 210 offered here on eBay does have its strong points, and one of those is a claimed 800 miles from new. At least a few folks appreciate this possibility, because 21 bids have been placed, bringing the price to $2850 in a no-reserve auction. The Chevys of ’53 and ’54 were modest derivatives of Chevy’s immediate post-war designs – which is to say, not much changed. Still, the models offered something for everyone, from the 150 base trim level through the 210 Deluxe, to the top-shelf Bel Air, all in a myriad of body styles. This example is the most pedestrian of these styles – a four-door sedan. Still, sales were strong, helping to establish Chevy as a winner post-war.
Our seller is remarkably chintzy with photos; this shot is from the five-second video he posted along with three nearly identical views of the car. The 235 cu. in. in-line Thrift-King six makes 108 hp and was offered with the manual gearbox; if buyers ordered a Powerglide automatic, the motor was a Blue Flame with identical displacement but 115 hp. This Chevy’s carburetor, distributor, and fuel lines have been replaced. Brake work includes the master cylinder and lines. The seller notes that this car does run and drive, though the brakes do need more attention.
The styling revolution that occurred just two years later brought fins, a much-improved grille, and a sleek hood hiding a brand-new V8 to the Chevy line-up. The three trim levels were further distinguished, with the Bel Air replete with chrome. The gulf in values is almost as great as the styling break: even the desirable ’53/’54 club coupe body style in excellent condition can be had for around $25k. A nice Tri Five will cost almost twice that much. If you’re thinking of pulling that six in favor of a V8, the swap isn’t a simple job.
Here’s a nice ’53 210 with an asking price of $24,500. No, it’s not completely original with almost no miles, but its older restoration looks great and it can be enjoyed for years to come. If I had to choose, I know which one I would pick; how about you?
Being the night owl I am, thanks to 35 years of working at these hours, watching 1960s sitcoms, when I’m not bellyaching here, I just saw, Wally Cleavers 1st car, was a 1953 Chevy 210 convertible. Oh, the seats were torn, needed a paint job, but according to Ward, it was worth the $150. What’s fun, is looking in the background at the other cars at the dealer, a ’57 Lincoln, $795, and a ’55 Chevy 2 door, $295,,sigh, one of my block friends, his dad worked at Schlitz, and drove a car just like this. It was exactly the market GM was going for. And with Dinah Shore belting out “See the USA”, well, let’s just say GM sold a lot of Chevies. It’s not bringing in much, and the usual suspect, it’s a stick.
They should check a little closer , this is a 216 NOT a 235 engine under the hood!!
What did Eddy Haskell drive?
Just saw an episode where he is driving a 63 Polara 4 door hardtop. Probably “borrowed.”
I recall seeing that one too Howard.
How ’bout that ’50 Fleetline they looked at too! A lot of great old cars
in that episode. My Mom had a ’54
210 DeLuxe sedan when I was 8 ur 9
years old. Glossy black paint, nice
interior with a WORKING RADIO, white
wall tires, and those flipper hubcaps
all ’round. It ran a 235/3 on the tree.
Would really love to own this one but
I’d have to teach my SIL Suze how to
shift a 3 on the tree though. Great car!
I just watched the same Leave it to Beaver show !
Wasn’t Eddie( Ken Osmond) annoying? Did you know he became a L.A. police officer? Can you imagine being stopped by Eddie Haskell?
HoA- As the BF keeper of our collective cultural and vehicular memories I really appreciate your reference to Leave It To Beaver. Ken Osmond is dead now I think, but I remember! when it was revealed that he had joined LAPD.
On a related side note, Hugh Beaumont had a career long before LITB as a film noir bad guy and as a good guy. Google him…some of the movies are good.
My girlfriend had a ’53 Chevy 2 door hardtop in high school…….of course California was a different place in the Sixties.
And as he was writing a ticket to hear some real nitwit driver say “Can’t you just give me a break?” he could’ve come back with “Give you a break!?!? June Cleaver wouldn’t give you a break!”
Eddie Haskell was the very definition of obsequious.
From a purely monetary standpoint, buy the finished car. You would be beyond the $24,500 after the purchase price plus what it would take to get it condition of this finished car.
If you want a project then it is not a bad start. However, when you are done it is still a ’53 Chevy 210 4 door.
And if a 210 4 door is what someone wants, then they’re happy. Not everyone restores for profit.
Yes Tim, you are right. I wasn’t thinking of restoring for profit, just not going deep into a hole. If that is the car you really want,then money is no object.
My main point was you are usually better off to buy the finished car, than to pour money into a project. Unless of course you really want to do a project for the enjoyment of it.
So true, some due it for the challenge and the feeling that you get when you did it your self when done. That’s something you can’t buy.
I would like to know the story on this car. Why wasn’t it driven? In the early seventies I inherited a 1951 Pontiac two door that had been my wife’s grand father’s car. No one in the family wanted it so I took it to keep it out of a crusher. I got it running and driving but it had been sitting outside and most of the chrome was rusty like this car. Re-chroming would have cost much more than it would have been worth so I sold it to some one who wanted it.
You were blessed with the crappy Korean War era chrome plating when the consumption of strategic metals like nickel, copper and chrome were regulated by the government. This resulted in lowered quality chrome plating that was quick to rust and peel off in razor sharp sheets. I slashed the hell out of my right hand a few years ago handling a front bumper from a 53 Olds with a hidden blade of peeling chrome. The Korean war is still producing casualties many years after the cease fire.
I did not think the 235 6 cyl was available in ’53 with manual transmission. I think in ’53 only powerglide cars had the 235.
In my never humble opinion, fix only what is necessary and keep the rust sources at bay. Happy motoring on your couches with no shoulder restraints.
I had a ‘53 BelAir convertible. That thing would sing with those twin glass pack mufflers! Adorned it with ‘54 tail lights, and Oldsmobile “flipper” hubcaps.
Just went to ebay….ad showed ended.
Auction ended already
Lovely looking car. If only more pictures were posted on ebay. Given its condition, I’d pay between $1000 and $5000. There’d still be enough money for restoration.
Not a lot of pictures, auction already ended but looks like it didn’t sell you can still reach out to the seller and work a deal video shows it running I think it would just be a fun cruiser no need to restore it just drive it and have fun.
This year was the first car I can remember my Dad having.
Ours was a convertible, powder blue with white top.
I have a photo with the top down and the family all on board for an outing.
Mom, Dad, older brother and two older sisters.
Dad traded cars in fairly frequently back the.. Next was a ‘56 Chev Belair Deluxe convertible. Black with a white top.
He always said Chevies were the best value , but he went for a ‘58 Olds 88 after that.
All that chrome must have drawn him in.
Boy, those were The days!
Ended due to an error in the listing. Maybe it will be relisted with the error corrected. I’d still like to know the story on this car and why such low miles. I’m not doubting the mileage claim as I know that these situations do exist, I just like to hear the story.
Maybe the error in the listing is the 800 miles from new. I don’t like to doubt the mileage either, but I would also like to know the story on this car. 800 miles from new makes everyone think of showroom conditions. If the mileage is correct, then the story is a sad one of gross neglect and abandonment in the old barn. How could someone forget about a car with 800 miles on it?
My recollection of my dad’s 53 was a split windshield and a rounded rear fender… This looks like a 54…. Curved windshield and straight vertical taillights…
???
Mark the 53 did have a one piece curved windshield Google it and then check the 52. My dad’s 49 was a two piece windshield.
I beg to differ, but the ’46 Chevies were warmed over ’41s, as were the ’47s & ’48s. A new design debuted in ’49 which was sleek and rounded and modern. That carried over to the ’50, ’51 & ’52. Buy ’53 it was a dramatic change. They went from flowing rounded sleek design to big, square & boxy. That lasted through 1957.
This, of course, is JMO, but my parents bought a brand new ’53 Chevy in late ’52. Typically black, base model, 2 door 150, 3 on the tree with two options, a AM radio
and heater.
I remember when he retired it, around 1958 but don’t remember what happened to it.
Wow, I had a ’54 Belair 2 Dr hardtop that I had purchased in 1978…for $125…and 1 year out of high school. Neighbor towed it home for me …the cost of tow ..A case of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer .Had it running that same night…Fun car.!!
My dad also had a 53 light blue 4 door. He needed a work car as he wouldn’t let his new 61 Buick convertible set at the factory parking lot. I thought it was the ugliest car I ever saw. Reminded me of a big pig so I called it the pig car. Loved riding in it tho because I could stand up in the back seat and my head never touched the liner!