The “Tri-Five” Chevies of the 1950s were some of the most popular cars when new – and that still holds true today. There was no shortage of them as nearly five million copies were produced between 1955 and 1957. This is a ’56 Bel Air, the top-of-the-line model in those days, a 4-door sedan with the then-new 265 cubic inch V8 engine. If this one doesn’t have too many doors for you, it’s in Seattle, Washington, and available here on eBay ($7,450 is the bid to beat).
New for 1955 was Chevrolet’s first V8 since 1918. The one in the seller’s car is said to be original, but it has been freshly rebuilt and comes with your choice of 2 and 4-barrel carburetors (manifolds, too). The motor is paired with Chevy’s venerable Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission (which may need rebuilding and a kit will be provided). A prior owner may have been going for the low-rider looks as the seller believes the auto has been lowered by up to two inches.
The seller makes a point of saying this vehicle is not a garage queen. It has lived outside for some of its life in Washington State, where it’s known to rain a fair amount. As a result, there is some surface rust that is trying to turn into more. As such, the interesting paint combination of Crocus Yellow and Laurel Green has probably run its course. One of the rear doors is slightly out of alignment.
We assume the seller has owned this Bel Air for a good while and has put on a fair number of its 137,000 miles. In addition to the engine, the seller has also worked on or replaced the generator, fuel pump, battery, and some ignition parts, and given it a full tune-up. It sports aftermarket wheels, but the original steel donuts will go with the car, too. The interior will need some help as one door panel is trying to fall off and the seats have lost their feel (need new foam). All-in-all, this Chevy is a runner that needs plenty of TLC.
Nice cruiser for a car enthusiast with a family. Do the paint and interior and you have a fun driver.
Indeed, the body looks pretty solid. 4-door Bel Airs are starting to get respect and if you restore this car to original specs (including the colors which I like), you’ll get a cruiser that’s still a fraction of the price of a comparable 2-dr hardtop.
And look at all that spare space under the hood!
This is the car I learned to drive with, down to the color, engine, tranny etc. A great car in all ways. Just wish I was in the position to take it on. Thanks for the trip down memory lanr
Wow! not often you see an original unrestored tri-five with almost no rust! body is very straight except for the scrape on the right side. The front bumper being “twicked” on the left side is from someone using the bumper jack in the wrong spot, easy fixed. If it weren’t a couple thousand miles from me I’d be a player on this ol’ girl.
Had one, even if you used the bumper jack in the right spot the bumper bent up over time. And it got used a lot before tubeless radials came along. Tire life was about 22,000 miles, and if no puncture before that, they blew out. Handling a blow out was a part of driver ed in those days. Have only had two in the past 20 years, both due to sidewall damage, once from a high curb, once from a rock that looked like a lump of snow.
“Twas in the darkest depths of More Door. I met a girl so fair….”
Unless your making it a 2 door it’s way too much
Wow great buy at 7,800.
Hell the parts are worth 12K.