Some classics are so stunning that identifying a single outstanding point is seemingly impossible. Such is the case with this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. From its sparkling paint to its striking interior, this Bow-Tie icon has much to offer its new owner. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Bel Air listed here on Craigslist in Oregon City, Oregon. The seller set their price at $41,000 for this turnkey classic.
Chevrolet’s Tri-Five model range has become a staple of the classic scene. The ’57 Bel Air set the trend, with those produced in the two previous years joining the desirability party. This 1956 example makes a bold visual statement, with the American Racing Torq Thrust wheels the only obvious modification. The seller confirms that the car received a repaint in its original Code 700 combination of Adobe Beige and Sierra Gold. The mirror finish and lack of panel imperfections suggest that the work was performed to a very high standard, a belief supported by the tight and consistent panel gaps. There is no evidence or mention of rust, and the bright trim shines as impressively as the paint. With crystal clear glass, there is little doubt that this Bel Air will turn heads wherever it goes.
The listing text suggests that this Bel Air isn’t numbers-matching. However, the engine bay houses what the seller describes as a period-correct 265ci V8, teamed with a two-speed Powerglide transmission. It is unclear which version of the 265 this is, or whether it has received any upgrades. I suspect that it may be unmodified, with the engine bay wearing a distinct “factory” appearance. Therefore, if it is an unmodified base V8, it should deliver at least 170hp. It is disappointing that the seller supplies no specific information regarding this Chevrolet’s mechanical health, but their assessment that the car is “like new” suggests that it should run and drive perfectly.
The seller indicates that most of this Bel Air’s refurbishment has been faithful, with the interior receiving a retrim in the correct combination of Copper and Gray. The painted surfaces and the wheel sport the same Sierra Gold found on the exterior, with the dash’s bright trim looking exceptional. You must look pretty hard to find anything inside this Bel Air to fault, although a close inspection reveals some wear to the seat piping on the driver’s side. It isn’t bad enough to prompt another retrim, and a competent upholsterer might be able to stop further deterioration in its tracks. Otherwise, this interior is sure to grab plenty of positive comments. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, with the car featuring a factory clock and a pushbutton radio.
Some classics possess an undeniable “wow” factor, a characteristic well demonstrated by this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. The minor interior wear is the only thing that can be criticized, but the flaw is so insignificant that it could be easily ignored. If I were a gambling man, I would wager that it has generated plenty of interest among enthusiasts, and I suspect that with the competitive price, a successful sale will follow pretty quickly. Are you tempted to reach out to the seller to make it happen? I will hardly blame you if you do.
Beautiful! I never will understand nit picking engine numbers on cars this old just because they have been replaced somewhere along the almost 70 years this car has survived. I agree with the majority of the folks on this forum that believe the ’56s were the best looking of the “tri five”.
I always though the ’55 was plain, the ’56 was less plain and the ’57 was perfect! But that is just me.
Nice car, big price with disappearing buyers…
I’ve always used the “3 Bears” analogy when it comes to the Tri-Fives. The ’55, too plain, the ’57, too gawdy, but the ’56,,,was just right. I couldn’t even imagine what it must have taken to get this car to where it is. I realize I’m horribly out of the loop money-wise, although I get a taste of that every week at Wallworld, but are people really going to pay $40grand, for a car that wasn’t really supposed to be that, it was a basic Chevy people paid $2grand for. That, 70 years later, obviously translates into alleged big( to me) bucks, and quite frankly, I just don’t see it. I’m sure they have at least $50 grand in this restoration, so a loss no matter what. Is $20 grand( I think this car could sell for $20 grand), really an acceptable loss today? Was $20 grand worth the build? I guess we’ll never know. Beautiful car regardless.
And yes, I’m human, and honestly, being a member, we shouldn’t have to be subjected to that. Welcome to the 20s,,,
What were you subjected to? You are about as human as you can get.
Hi bobhess, oh, I don’t know, I feel being a member of anything should give some shred of credibility, we pay to be here, and believe me, on a fixed income and $700 hospital bills and $200/mo. cable, it’s not easy. I suppose subjected is the wrong word, perhaps, underappreciated. I’m sure our membership fees help the site, but we have little to say about the site itself. I obviously have a tough time with password this, and verify that, and thought of this site as an oasis of sorts, from that. I suppose it’s tolerable to see stuff like this again, and to shoot the breeze with great folks like you, not unlike sitting around the shop after hours on 5 gallon buckets, like we used to,,,,
Going along with what Howard said. I lean towards the ’56 because it was the first Chevy my Grandpa bought with a V8. 2 door hardtop like this in the beautiful color combination of turquoise and white. I actually got to see an old color photo taken of it when it was fairly new. I remember my Mom telling me the story of her and Grandma and Grandpa going Upstate NY to visit relatives all the time. Grandpa would plank it when he felt confident that no one was looking. Grandma would grab the dashboard and scream SLOW DOWN in horror, and my Mom would be in the back seat going… FASTER!!! FASTER!!! FASTER!!! This one is just simply drop dead gorgeous. And as I’ve said in the past, I can only imagine the amount of labor hours in this one. But wow is it beautiful.
Back in the 50’s the New York State thruway was fairly new and in great condition and you’d be able to get stretches of open road with no one around. ( Sorry, meant to explain that better.)
Funny you nention the kids in the back seat yelling faster, faster. My kids wrote a little song a out Mom cringing and them singing faster, faster. (Maxed out, as in higher compression and higher boost Volvo and twin turbo A6 6 speed Audi with euro chip) They got their wish many times. And the Mother cheering that I was going to get a ticket when getting stopped. And then fuming when I didn’t. And the kids cheering the cop for not giving me a ticket. The kids absolutely going insane with joy, when I turned the Volvo around to take a faster run at a jump. Good times back then. I also remember standing up in the back seat of our new 1957 Plymouth 2 Dr hard top with the 4 barrel carb. and dual exhaust on a trip to grandmother’s house. (300 miles away) at night and peering into the darkness for more tail lights so I could say “look Daddy, another one”. And Dad would stand on the loud pedal to catch and pass every car on the road. (I was 4 at the time.) So I guess I come by it honestly. But just those times with the kids really brightens my memories. Don’t get me wrong, camping, crawing around the tidal pools, being there when the kids were competing in hockey and figure skating, teaching them how to ski, and ride a motorcycle are great memories also.
Howard, I think it is all a matter of perspective. If I were to spend 50k to restore a car that I can flip for only 20k, then that investment doesn’t make sense.
However, if I spend 50k on a car that I have no intention on selling ever, then that is a different matter. Like a car that your parents bought you home in when you were born. The first car you had fun in and wished you were old enough to drive. A car that may not be the actual car that your dad had but has a special place in your heart. A car that is more a heirloom that you want to leave to your family after you are gone. Then in such a case the investment is well worth it. As I said it is all a matter of perspective.
This 56 seems about as nice as you are going to find. Everyone has opinions of what they like, I like the stock interior, the original color combination. I think the engine color is red and should be more orange. As for the price it is certainly in the ball park, although it is a major league park.
Joe i was really surprised years ago to lean that the 56 chevy engines in the cars were painted red
I thought someone had painted mine red back in the sixties but it came that color
In 56 the engine was more red than the traditional orange we all know on later models.
In 56 the engine was more red than the Chevy orange we all know now. This looks correct to me.
Love that color combination.
All that’s left to do is ditch the AR wheels for a more original OEM-style set-up with some radial WWs and it’s complete.
Just thank heavens it doesn’t have any ridiculous ‘custom’ 22″ billet rims to deal with.
If you don’t know where to put the fuel in, then you can’t buy it. Haha
I worked at a gas station while in high school in the ’60’s when theses cars were still on the road. I remember well the embarrassment of needing to ask where the fuel fill was located. On many cars it was behind the license but these Chevys were a mystery!
This is a lot of car for the money, great colors and excellent condition. Try building one as nice for the money.
Ahhh yes, a 56 Chevy, I made a couple of bucks from one of these when people bet me they could find the gas filler and couldn’t ! Nice car.
hmm? No mention of the vacuum wipers(terrible) and the “power fix” (power glide) terrible transmission.
I owned two 1958 Chevy’s. This is a pretty car, but not for me.
hmm? No mention of the vacuum wipers(terrible) and the “power fix” (power glide) terrible transmission.
I owned two 1958 Chevy’s. This is a pretty car, but not for me. I have not commented on this car before.
That air cleaner, as well as what can be gleaned from the engine pics, would make this motivator the 205hp 265-power pack, i.e., 4bl. & dual exhaust.
Absolutely, my thought, the 4 barrel carb. and the dual exhaust IF ORIGINALITY WAS THE GOAL make this a power pack car.
My parent’s car exactly, back in the 60’s.
56 is IMHO by far the best looking of the trio. I had both 55 and 56s back in the day. In fact I once owed two 56 convertibles at the same time and both were the same colors as the one featured here. One with a black top the other a white top.
This one just needs a better motor as the 265s are too underpowered. Oh and it needs air conditioning.
The tri-five beauty contest is of course subjective. Analogous to the old Blond, Brunette or Redhead preference. Apologies to the PC police. This color combination really works well with this car and was the first thing that caught my eye. Still keeping mum on price. It’s become mostly irrelevant to me if I’m not buying. I honestly do believe that the market for the cars we geezers love is inevitably going to head downhill over the next decade. Time to get the 40K while the getting is still good. GLWTS.
Funny you nention the kids in the back seat yelling faster, faster. My kids wrote a little song a out Mom cringing and them singing faster, faster. (Maxed out, as in higher compression and higher boost Volvo and twin turbo A6 6 speed Audi with euro chip) They got their wish many times. And the Mother cheering that I was going to get a ticket when getting stopped. And then fuming when I didn’t. And the kids cheering the cop for not giving me a ticket. The kids absolutely going insane with joy, when I turned the Volvo around to take a faster run at a jump. Good times back then. I also remember standing up in the back seat of our new 1957 Plymouth 2 Dr hard top with the 4 barrel carb. and dual exhaust on a trip to grandmother’s house. (300 miles away) at night and peering into the darkness for more tail lights so I could say “look Daddy, another one”. And Dad would stand on the loud pedal to catch and pass every car on the road. (I was 4 at the time.) So I guess I come by it honestly. But just those times with the kids really brightens my memories. Don’t get me wrong, camping, crawing around the tidal pools, being there when the kids were competing in hockey and figure skating, teaching them how to ski, and ride a motorcycle are great memories also.
For that kind of dough, at least set the front bumper on straight! Oh, and lose the grotty wheels and kick-a$$ stance; this is a sophisticated and classy design, best of the Tri-fives and these two items detract.
Just a designer sayin’…
Most Tri Five fans like the 55 or 57, the 56 was always the red headed step child. I even had a couple 56s, one was a 2 door hardtop with 4bbl powerpak, and power windows. The 55 is my favorite, I have a Bel AIr wagon and hardtop waiting for me in Florida.
This one doesn’t have factory interior door panels, and the mag wheels don’t look better than the factory wheelcovers, especially with wide whitewalls. Hard pass at that price.
1956, the best!