Given that nearly five million of the “Tri-Five” Chevrolets were built in 1955-57, quite a few are still out there today. In the middle year, 1956, the 210 2-door sedan was the third most popular model/body style at more than 206,000 copies. That includes the seller’s edition which he/she purchased from the original owner’s family not long ago. But other projects prevent a restoration from getting started, so it will be up to the next owner to do it. Located near Davenport, Iowa, this project is available here on craigslist for $9,500 (and cash talks). Thanks for the tip, T.J.!
When this car was ordered new, not a lot of options were specified. It has the basic 235 cubic-inch inline-6 which is not running, even when a battery is installed. The seller thinks the engine is free but says that a new wiring harness will be required. Also basic was the “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. Other than a radio and two-tone paint, the MSRP sticker may have been pretty lean.
This Chevy has been off the road for quite some time and has collected some surface rust, but nothing that the seller says affects it structurally. The interesting two-tone paint combination was redone about 40 years ago and you could leave it as-is or take it down to metal and redo it again.
A while back, covers were put over the original seats, but they’re getting worn and we don’t know the condition of what’s below. Also, there are no floor coverings, exposing floors that have light surface rust but nothing more. So, the bones of this 68-year-old Chevy appear to be quite good. The odometer has turned over, suggesting that the drivetrain may be tired even if you get it running again. So, the decision becomes one to fix it up and drive it or go for a complete restoration. What would you do?
Geez, still coming out of the woodwork. Just when you think we’ve seen the last of these original cars, yet another pops up. Makes you wonder how many are still out there. I enjoy looking up cost and options new and this had, as mentioned, very few options. This car cost $2065 new. The automatic was $188, P/S $94, the V8, a paltry $32 extra,( 4 barrel another $59, TWO 4 barrels, a whopping $257 more) and A/C $560 bucks, so it added up fast. All they got, it seems, was a radio, about $100 and a heater, $72, and maybe some trim, but that was good enough, mom said. Didn’t even get the PCV, $12.95, when was the last time you saw a draft tube?( a what, grandpa?) Electric wipers, $11.35, nope, P/B, $37.70, nope, O/D, $107, nope, they did get the oil filter, $5.65, but the salesperson, and dealer, who make their money on options, didn’t get much past mom.
Again, it’s hard to imagine a world without 6 lane interstates and jellybean cars scurrying to who knows where, this was a simple mode of transportation, work, store, and yep, church and the nursing home on Sundays. This was good enough. How it escaped the ravages of youth is anyones guess. What a find, hey?
draft tube we always called it a stink pipe had a 1956 Chevy bel aire convertible in high school 6 power glide had a stink pipe I don’t remember ever seeing one with a pcv value think they where much later in early 60s can’t remember if first one I had was in my 1958 348 or a later 327
$32 for the optional V8! Wow!
I remember our neighbors 3 houses down used to have this same car in blue and white. Every time they past the house they left a blue smoke trail. In 1962 they finally traded it in for a new Falcon.
Wow, the styling of the Tri Fives is a very much an acquired taste. This one pushes those limits even further.
My post college and 6 month Air Force school waiting period was blessed with and old but good condition ’57 Ford 2 door, 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, and radio.. period. Wasn’t purple like this guy but pea green with a white top. To this day I’ve never owned such a basic vehicle. Got me where I needed to go and after my AF school was replaced with an MG Midget. Went uphill from there. Nice old Chevy but I’d be pretty much tempted to repaint it in a more exciting color or colors.
….and as Rw said, a V8.
Wow, still available!
This car is begging for a V8,and you don’t have to chop it up to do so.
I could live with the 235 (if it ran good) but yes I’d prefer a simple new crate 350 left stock. Arthritis demands I drive an automatic with P/S and safety says more upgraded modern-ish P/B. The main reason a good running straight 6 would work for is because the car would never see more than 40 miles at a time. For distance and highway/freeway driving I’ve got a late model Charger. This old boy (or girl) would be for enjoyable town cruising. 😀
I’m getting more and more into these tri 5 Chevys. I think thats a good price for this car! What would I do with it? Well probably a really nice repaint, restore the interior and keep it stock. Id more than likely swap out to a crate 350 but I’d keep the original. Id get it mechanically ready to use as a fun driver. The 3 speed column shift set-up would stay because it’s just something that I liked back in the day. Tires, brakes, etc and use her for some fun cruising, shows, cruise ins. I hope the new owner really gives this car the love it deserves and enjoys it.
Talk about bathtub-styling! Wheels instead of claw feet.
Beauty, is in the eye of the behoser!
My favorite Tri-Five!
My favorite tri five, a 56 150 two door! If I hadn’t bought my last Corvette I would be seriously interested in this 56. I’ve got a 350/350 turbo sitting in the shop that would fit in there like it came that way. Get factory style replacement interior pieces, outside would get new blue and white paint split at the chrome strip. A set of torque thrusts and black wall 15” tires to finish it off. Why do these cars always show up after I’ve bought something else?
Neat car. I’ve got the same exact one but 57 model. This car needs A LOT of rust repair. There’s a ton of rot along the rockers and lower door skins. Take this down to bare metal and get ready for an awful surprise. Drop it off at your local restoration shop and be prepared to spend a lot of money! Or learn how to cut and splice sheetmetal and save yourself a lot of cash. Either way, this is a project car in need of lots of love. Potential buyer might be better off looking for something else. Just my 2 cents.
I own a 56 210 4 door post. My parents bought it brand new in 1956. Completed a full resto mod last year with a roadster shop chassis, LS3, 4 speed automatic (shifter on the floor), 4 wheel disc brakes, AC, all new leather interior with bucket seats in the front and back, two tone white and midnight blue. The car is so fun to drive in this configuration. Much more fun than the stock version. My wife and I put 19,500 miles on it in 2023 after the build.
There appears to be a lot of rust coming through previous repairs low on the body. If the frame has any issues this is car is hardly a bargain. The pictures telegraph to any serious potential buyers that they need to do a thorough in person inspection prior to making an offer. It may turn out to be a decent deal, but the pictures in the ad are a definitely a warning sign that would be foolish to ignore.
Steve R
Has it been rear ended? The bumper appears to be angling downward & the trunk lid has a gap at the seam. And why does the manufacturer’s logo never come off after 68 yrs? Like Zenith, “the quality goes in be4 the name goes on.” 😂
As an older body man, I agree with Steve R. Completely rotted out along the bottom.
I would fix all that needs fixing& move that 3 on tree & cut it down to the floor lol 3 on tree is just weird shifting !? And drive & fix up as You drive keeping car original keeps the value up $ As long as there’s no major rust cancer eating thru metal corners fenders & floor paint it up w some good H D paint & move on & good tune up / rebuild the 6 & good to go