Chevrolet had a winner on its hands when it came to the 1955 to 1957 Chevies. Later dubbed the “Tri-Fives,” they sold nearly five million copies in just three years. And are pretty collectible more than 65 years later. Perhaps the surge in consumer interest was due to the availability of a V8 engine after being absent for 37 years. We believe this was a one-owner car until last year, it runs great and has plenty of patina to show off its status as a senior citizen. Located in Ocoee, Florida, this vintage Bow-Tie is available here on eBay where you’ll have to do better than $11,312 to break through the seller’s reserve.
After a successful sales drive in ’55, Chevy changed the ‘56s just enough to be noticeable. Such as the front grille area, the taillights, and enlarged rear wheel well openings. This resulted in a sales year almost as strong as the first (1.623M vs. 1.776M). The Bel Air Sport Coupe continued to be one of the biggest sellers, like this two-tone example whose colors are India Ivory over Twilight Turquoise. It’s not 100% original, but close enough to not likely deter it from finding a new home (it’s being offered by a dealer).
No mention is made of the 265 cubic inch V8 being numbers-matching, but it does have the Power Pack option. That brought a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust to the party. The probable 2-speed Powerglide automatic has been replaced by something more modern, a 700R4. The car’s history shows it being first sold in San Jose, California and later migrating to Spokane, Washington. From 1982 to 2022, it was sitting in a shed. We don’t know why that was or what it took to get it back on the road.
The interior has been redone with materials similar to what the car would have been built with some 57,000 miles ago. Other than what’s on the right rear quarter panel, the paint is said to be original (patina and all). Some recent upgrades include one-piece bumpers on both ends, brakes, wheels (the red paint doesn’t add anything, IMO), electric wipers, exhaust, and sway bars. The running condition of the Chevy is described as excellent, so you could drive it home today!
Sorry, but a car with so many possibilities that looks like it spent years parked under a broken sewer pipe just doesn’t hack it with me.
Good example of the “California Rake”.
Body looks very solid, most important. Wheel color is unimportant, a rattle can full of black paint or replace them with what I have in my garage. Awesome car for awesome price. Just my opinion.
Weird that the seller thinks this “patina” would improve it’s sales potential. Or maybe he just likes this sort of rusted look.
Paint it the original colors. Had a ’56 4 door hardtop once…paid 250 bucks for it. For me the ’56’s are the prettiest of the Tri 5’s.
I like patina if it’s authentic. Rims are wrong on many levels but the truck hubcaps are the worst. IMHO. His car is he can do what he wants. The wheels end up dominating the whole vibe though. Ya just can’t look away. Lol
Yeah, those wheels and o-ring tires are really, really wrong and ugly.
Just don’t understand those red wheels…
1970s truck dog dish caps look goofy, at least go with period correct chrome or stainless povert caps with white, black, or silver rims, and it will look alot more old school, especially with that stance.
There’s no way on Earth you could make the tire and wheel combo on this car suck any worse
Why the 58-60 steering wheel thogh it looks better than the original 56 one
I had that steering wheel on all my 55 and 56 Chevys.
Patina? Check. Hideous wheels? Check. Value Craft battery? Check. Likely ridiculous reserve on this flip? Check.
Somebody spent a lot of money on some very ugly wheels.
This car has a lot of potential despite the ugly wheels and low profile tires. Needs work under the hood. I can’t see it being worth more than $10g.
I was going to say something about the wheels but it’s all been said. 🤮
The problem here is you have a vehicle that checks so many boxes and would be receiving much higher praise – but for whatever reason, the owner killed the entire vibe with the wheels and hubcaps. Dude, really?
Why do guys like chopped the springs?
I never thought I would agree that “hideous” was a term that could apply to a tri-Five, but its appropriate for those wheels on this car. And the bow just makes it worse! They are so bad that they will probably stall the bidding. I’ve got a nice set of Tru-Spokes for $400.00 that would add 5K to the top bid. Other than that, I like the car, which might be a value play for me except it is in FL and I’m in OR.,
The wheels and caps were to catch your attention which I see did a very good job of it!
They sure did like an old lady with pink and purple hair.
They actually glow in the light!
obvious engine swap (note welded cross brace in front of rad.) maybe a 283! very expensive patina !!
I can see the weld job on the right side but not on the left!
Frankencar! What did they do, cut front springs?
Clown car wheels gotta go
the wheels…ugh!!!
What is the big deal here? The wheels and tires could be separated from this car in five minutes. As for replacing them? How hard is that?
It makes me wonder what other bad decisions were made.
same car my dad had and same color i loved it would love to have this one
Ugliest FRIGGEN wheels. I have ever seen!!
Wheels aside fellas….Dealer is the seller. No good imo bc it’ll add $$$ to the asking price. Up to 15.5k now. That underside will need to be sprayed clean. Frame off perhaps? Love the interior. Better pics would be nice. Most far off. Couple dark. Nice holiday bow on hood to match wheels. Lmao.
A little patina where you see the primer from where the paint has been polished through is OK, but this car has gone beyond patina and into rust. This car needs a rotisserie restoration. I never understood why someone would leave the covers off of the torque converter but it seems to be common. The car has had some improvements made like Willwood brakes, better transmission, interior, etc. but the heater core is not connected so probably leaks. The rust needs to go, IMO. The color of the wheels and lowered suspension is immaterial to me as all of that would go away with a proper restoration but with the asking price it wouldn’t be worth what you would have in it.
I was hoping i would never see 17 or 18 inch steel wheels, but i guess my luck has run out. Not a great xmas present.
& i was hoping all 4 of those tires were flat, but i was wrong. If i had a car with such tires & no TPMS, i would check the pressure of all 4 with a tire gauge
EVERY time before i used it, including after being parked for just a few hours.
It’s closing in on $17K now. So the wheels are apparently not stopping the TriFive love fest. I’ve never seen so many likes on comments that are panning the clown wheels. Nice interior but the rest of the car has way too much “patina” for my taste. I gotta say that the first person to use the patina reference was a marketing genius. Before that rust was not a selling point.
See I told you those wheels would get everybody’s attention!
Kinda like the wheels.They had done exactly what the seller had intended. Drew attention and created a lot comments.
I really like everything about the car, except the price of admission.
Patina = needs a paint job
Wasn’t this listed before when it was on the west coast ? Without those wheels………
I’m growing patina on a couple 55s in Florida, seems to be going well ;).
Good job, Chuck. Looks like you are working on the undersides too. Creating patina takes time. I admire your dedication.
I love it ,the owner wanted to make a statement and he did!
The statement was “I have no clue”
“$23,600 and reserve not met?” And in this condition? (Love the rattle-can red paint on engine with overspray on trans.) Good grief, Charley Brown!!
Are those forklift wheels?