Tri-Five Chevrolets will always generate interest in the classic market, whether original or customized. This rust-free 1956 Bel Air is no exception. It could benefit from a fresh coat of paint, but its upgraded drivetrain and immaculate interior make the effort worthwhile. If that isn’t enough to tempt you, the seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The Bel Air is listed here on eBay in Enumclaw, Washington. Bidding has raced to $15,200, and with No Reserve in play, a new home is only days away for this classic.
The new owner of this Bel Air has choices to make, and none of them seem bad. Its original Code 703 combination of Nassau Blue and Harbor Blue is tired and worn, and a cosmetic refresh would seem a no-brainer. However, with other aspects of this classic presenting superbly, following the preservation route to provide a striking contrast would be a viable alternative. This is made more tempting because this car isn’t riddled with rust or Bondo. The seller confirms the car resided for most of its life in Texas, with its climate renowned for preserving classic steel. It is a rock-solid project where the buyer can leave the grinder and welder in the cupboard. Applying a clearcoat to prevent deterioration is possible, and this Chevy would turn heads in either form. The chrome and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the aftermarket wheels add a sense of purpose. They won’t appeal to some readers but are period-appropriate to this Bel Air.
The seller hasn’t been afraid to splash their cash on this build, and the interior graphically demonstrates that. Its presentation is virtually flawless, and for good reason. The good folks at Ciadella Interiors in Tempe, Arizona, weaved their brand of magic inside this car. The process cost the seller a cool $8,000, but the results speak for themselves. The upholstered surfaces look beautiful, with no evidence of wear or physical damage. I doubt the back seat has ever been occupied, and the carpet is spotless. I noticed loose wiring hanging below the immaculate dash, but quick work with a few zip ties should hide that from view. I’m not sold on the wheel, but that is personal taste. I feel this interior deserves something more period-correct. The dash is spotless, and a collection of aftermarket gauges and a column-mounted tach monitor the health of the powerhouse under the hood.
Customizing the drivetrain of a Tri-Five Chevrolet opens a world of possibilities. Still, this seller followed a tried-and-true path that should provide a reliable and low-maintenance motoring experience for the new owner. Lifting the hood reveals a 350ci V8, while the remaining mechanical components include a four-speed M21 manual transmission, a 3.73 Posi rear end, and a front disc brake conversion. The specifications of the small-block are unknown, but it is safe to assume the driver will have more than the 225hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque provided by the 1956 range-topping 265ci V8 at their disposal. The transmission was recently rebuilt, with the seller installing a new clutch as part of that process. They confirm the car never gets hot, and the steering and suspension feel tight. They claim they would confidently drive it anywhere, suggesting the winning bidder could fly in and drive this baby home.
This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air leaves me feeling torn. It would undoubtedly turn heads with a fresh coat of paint, but it would still do that in its current form. I struggle to decide whether I would choose preservation or restoration. One advantage it offers is that the new owner doesn’t need to make an immediate decision. The car’s solid nature and lack of rust means they can enjoy it in its current form while contemplating their options. I don’t know what I would do, but do you?
Don’t send it to paint prison. Drive as is and go kill some bugs. IMHO.
No repaint for me either. If the wife’s next husband wants it painted, more power to him.
Nice. First picture tells you this seller knows how to sell a two door hard top. Repaint in the original colors and hit the streets.
Bob, I couldn’t agree more. I’m also a 56 model & could use a paint job. Lol
Not a Chevy fan, but an original car in two tone, divided to look like a three tone I like.
The styles and colors from the fifties are the best, ever.
As I had 2 of the 55 Chevies as a teen, both Turquoise and White, that combo I liked. It was soooo common too.
I have been traveling and buying restored cars the last 6 weeks.
Now to enjoy.
Hey Adam Clarke ; I have to Agree w You on most of this well preserved classic 56 Bel Air I like the powertrain up-grade but also torn on the paint issue ?? I too have a long time decision to make?; my car (1970 Chevelle) has 30 +?! year base paint ;( Light blue / black vinyl roof & stripes w chips in paint from road gravel / & my oopsies) Preservation or repaint & we all know how expensive that venture is nowadays!$$! And also torn between repaint to original color or close to original color metallic respray ?? diff’rent year blue ? I love most of the cars You & your B F guys find ; mostly G M A body cars ;ie; Chevys ( all models) ; Buicks & Oldsmobile’s! especially convertibles !!
This is very clean and nice. The interior and the chrome plus trunk is nice for a trip-five. A no post is a fave of mine. I had a 55 no post in HS. It had a C2 327 340 horse engine with a M21 and a 12 bolt rear end.
I would get the paint redone. I am not into the patina look. This car even with the Cragars would really shine with the original color.
I had a 55 in high school also. 327 .030 over. Muncie 4 speed. Original automatic transmission car. Put in the third petal, installed a cross member to go along with the bell housing mounts. 12 bolt posi with 4:56 gears. The car had the Vs under the taillights for a factory V8 car.
The wheels gotta go.Black steelies with beefier sized blackwalls and poverty caps.I’d leave the paint.Wash lightly with an sos pad let it dry and wipe down with a light coat of atf for protection.It’ll soak into the old paint and primer.Refresh as needed. Cool car.Good upgrades.Glwts.
Add A/C and enjoy.
In the 90’s when I was a teenager my father restored a 56 the same as this. Even went with the same Nassau and Harbor blue colors. He rebuilt the 265 but with the Dual quad set-up to get the 245HP they were rated for. To me the 56 Chev has the nicest dash of all cars. I am trying hard to understand why they would put that hideous pad over it. Other than that I love the car.
Lookit how much better this ‘56 looks compared to that bulbous 58 above! Tri-five guys must have retired, and GM, hired laid-off Hyundai fellows.
well with 4 days left hard to say what the final bid will be but if the car is as nice as is seems to be it would be great if someone could get into this car for under 30k and in my opinion to just leave it as is and drive the worry free crap outa it, that’s what I would do, their only original once and this car is pretty awesome as is, good luck
I thi nk if it were me Id paint it the same two tone colors. Theyre very nice together. Also, not a fan of the 70s Chevy steering wheel, Id like to have an original steering wheel i there. My Grandpa had a turquoise and white 56 belair 2 door hardtop. Really sharp looking car.
Hey Driveinstile brought back some great
memories I’m not your Grandpa but got
Married in 1962, and the 1st car my wife and purchased together was a 1956 Chevy Belair 2dr Ht Turquoise & White
265 PP stick shift with 36,270 Miles on it
We paid $ 437.00 Dollars for it had monthly payments of course
payments of course
Thanks. Grandpa bought it new, they also bought their first color camera and there are color photos of it when it was new in 56.
Easy! I would drive it. And when I was driving it I would enjoy it and then if I discovered little things I wanted to fix I would. What I really like about it is the interior.
Looks very clean, nice interior and updated engine, I’m thinking add A/C and drive it. Someday new paint but for now it just looks like too much fun not to enjoy right away.
At least with the paint the way it is you dont have to worry as much about taking it out and it getting scratched. You can just clean it up and use and enjoy it the way it is. But still, it would look beautiful repainted in its original colors.
Now this is the way you advertise your car for sale. Plenty of quality pictures and informative description. Light years ahead of the 1958 Chevy also in today’s BF. If I woke up and found this nice’56 in my driveway I would hop in and enjoy the ride! IMO it’s just about perfect as it sits. Sorry Maggy but I like the Cragar wheels. These were a typical add on back in my youth when I began lusting over Tri-Fives. I would change the steering wheel back to stock and that’s about it. Seller says he has one to include with a tilt column for additional $. Be interesting to see what the final bid is. As I write this it’s past 20K and I bet it will be closer to 30K at the hammer. I wanted one of these really bad 50-55 years ago and I still fantasize about it. Couldn’t swing it then and would be a stretch now. Kind of hard to see the window of opportunity slowly shutting on me. Where did all those years go? I’d be thinking long and hard before reaching a decision on the paint. I find it somewhat conflicting as either way has merit. One last observation; it isn’t lost on me that a big portion of nice original rust free vehicles come from the west coast. I’m planning on being out there next year. I’m looking forward to seeing some of this iron for myself. Anyway thanks BF for as usual coming up with a vehicle that has lots of interest for me. You writers do a great job.
Could be a great canidate for a Gasser! Leave the paint as is .
I’m not into the patina look. I would paint in original colors,install a vintage ac unit and drive it
I am not a patina guy either , as in I hate rust .There is no rust here,so I love it as is ! I would get my guy , who is a master at blending and color matching to swap the extra color of white on the trunk to match the primer,and drive /show as is. In any reasonably sized show there will be a dozen shiny tri-fives and this ONE ! This will get more attention ,even from the owner’s of the trailer queens .I have a few cars that are too nice to drive , and am gravitating to these types of survivor vibe cars .I am not alone , and this one is at 21k now headed into the 30’s.
Re Maggy:
That is an old school combo right for this car. That would take you back.
great interior. Always liked the 56s. Had a 210 post with a 265. Love em…
that is the steelies with the blackwalls…