For drivers who liked things sort of middle-of-the-road, the Chevrolet 210 was the ideal choice for Tri-Five buyers, as it was a step up from the base 150 yet less expensive than the slightly more luxurious Bel Air. Fortunately, the overall condition of this 1956 Chevrolet 210 here on Facebook Marketplace might be slightly better than middle-of-the-road, at least for an unrestored example that appears to remain mostly original outside. This one’s a non-running project located in Charleston, Illinois, but there are several positives to get excited about here. It’s priced at $17,000, and we’d like to thank reader T.J. for spotting this cool Chevy and sending us the tip!
The seller calls this one a barn find, and while he’s on the right track, it’s more of a garage dweller, as it’s said to have been sitting on a concrete floor inside a shop since 1995. The number 90 has been assigned to represent the percentage of originality here, with the paint stated to still be the factory finish. The exterior has accumulated some dust and dirt, but the body appears to be pretty solid for the most part, although the owner mentions that a few areas are showing surface rust. Fortunately, this one seems mostly complete on the outside, with the bumpers, trim, and even the windshield wipers still in place.
Some sections of the interior are said to have been reupholstered in the nineties, and like the exterior, there’s grime built up on the seats. After a thorough cleaning, the vinyl might still be OK, as I’m not seeing any tears on the front bench. The one door panel we get to view appears quite good, with the instrument panel and dash not looking all that bad either. A non-original item inside is the steering column, with the wheel appearing like it could be from a Chevy truck, so it might be worth considering swapping this for the appropriate unit.
The seller doesn’t know if the V8 engine is original to the car, and despite having a three-carb setup on top, the motor isn’t running. He’s also uncertain if the 4-speed transmission is the born-with component, so the buyer will have to decide whether to work with what’s there or if sourcing a different combo would be a wiser choice. Even though this Chevy is a project with a lot of work in front of the next owner, I’m feeling it’s probably at a fairly decent starting point, and $17k might be in the ballpark here. Is restoring this 1956 Chevrolet 210 how you’d enjoy spending your winter?
Mornin’ all, hope you made it through the night, something in my eye, dang it, not literally, but if this car doesn’t generate some priceless memories, well, I guess I’m older than I think. A good friend in the early 70s, his name was Bill, we did a lot together, most of which can’t be mentioned here. He was one of the few guys I knew that went to Vietnam. Before I knew him, his pride and joy was a ,,yep, ’56 Chevy 2 door. Not sure if 150 or 210, but V8, 4 speed. The ’56 2 door was the absolute #1 car to hot rod. They were plentiful and cheap. I read, something like 400,000 of these were sold( plus another almost 300,000 BelAir 2 doors), and for good reason. The ’55 was too plain, the ’57 too glitzy, the ’56 was just right.
Naturally, I speculate a lot, and not sure what happened to Bills car. I heard before he left for Vietnam, he felt his life was over, like many, and crashed the car. He made it back, and bought a ’69 Bug,,,that’s when I met him. If this car was stored since ’95, it very well could have been someone like Bill, and died in ’95, and the car sat.
I’m not sure what the motor is, almost looks like a Pontiac 389 tri power(?) and I think it’s just a different steering wheel, but the stories THIS car could tell would be book worthy. Great find.
Oh, one more thing, don’t put the tissues away just yet. I saw once, someone was displaying a ’56 Chevy. It was their late sons car who DIDN’T come back, and on the hood ornament, they had a teddy bear. It was the kids 1st toy sitting on his last toy. I thought that was pretty powerful.
Howard, as a Dad, I couldn’t even begin to imagine the anguish parents go though losing their child. That is one very sad and sweet picture you have in my head of the Teddy Bear on the hood of his car.
As a kid we knew an older woman who was a widow. She had ( had) two sons, one alive, one who had passed away back in the late 50’s in an accident. He had an Olds Super 88 convertible. We were in her house, and on a small table there was an Olds Rocket emblem. Naturally as a car crazy young kid I asked about it ( it was out of place with all the other typical old lady type things around). It was off her dead sons car. She actually went to see the car after he was killed in it and asked to have the emblem removed, she had it right next to her chair until she died.
Hi Dave, once at a yard sale in the 80s, I noticed a car in the garage covered up, but the shape was unmistakably a Corvette. When I asked what that was, the person in charge of the sale, said it was the mothers car of a son that didn’t come home, she never uncovered the car. America,,,freedom, can’t forget that,,
“And we don’t need the ladies, cryin’ cause the story’s sad”,,, I read Joe Walsh wrote that in response to all the young men going off to war.
Probably sell better if it was rolled out and cleaned up. The short video shows rust in the rockers so I can’t see the asking price being that high. Comments correct, lot of street rods morphed out of the ’56s.
This looks more like something you’d see built in the 1970’s with the 3×2 intake, gold valve covers and diamond pattern upholstery than a 1990’s build. The position of the radiator is that for a 6 cylinder equipped car, who knows what size small block Chevy is in it now, but 327’s were pretty popular at that time. As for original paint, how can the seller tell with all the dirt and dust covering the car. I’d be surprised if it hasn’t had prior rust repair and a repaint.
It will be interesting to know what it sells for, but any potential buyer would be wise to give it a thorough in person inspection.
Steve R
Yes may have original paint…in the door jambs…looks to me at least passenger side has had work done
I can’t tell about the engine, but the 4 speed can’t be original. This could have left the factory as a 6 cylinder, 3 speed car. My 56 210 2 door post car did. By the time I got it, that 6 and 3 speed were long gone. The 6 cylinder radiator position gives more room in front for accessories on the V8, like my dual electric fans.
Looks to have been a 6 cylinder car. No chrome “V” on the hood or trunk. This could be a real beauty if it is done right.
If I’m not mistaken, those wheels came off a late-60s or early-70s Nova. I get a kick out of seeing a modification become dated like that. While I prize originality, a change like that adds a layer of time that adds depth in a very particular way.
More likely mid-1970’s Malibu, Monte Carlo or El Camino and were all 15×7 inches. They were plentiful and cheap in the wrecking yards during the 1980’s, they were considered steel wheels at the Pick N Pull so they charged $6.95. At the swapmeets you’d get $150 for a set of 4 without trim rings or center caps. Me and my buddies made a lot of money selling them for years.
Steve R
Never really cared for the 56, or the styling in the back or squared front signal lights….Not sure how many were sold…. I had only one 56, and sold it immediately…Had numerous 55 and 57s,Most people seem to have the 55 or 57s…see many more of those 2 years
I always get a kick out of claims using a percentage about a car’s originality, or how much it has been restored. The number here: 90% original. So, upholstery, engine, transmission, wheels, steering wheel, etc equals 10%. OK lets start with your asking price of $17k, I would offer you 10% less than that, let’s say $12k? ….What’s that you say? That’s more than 10%?… My point exactly.
Great find. I don’t think this one will be listed to long. Love the fact that it was stored indoors.
As a 16 y old weasel passenger, a pal got to drive his mom’s 210, V8. We were impressed that it would peel out from a stop, just by mashing the throttle! Good looking car, that ‘56 210 post.
Good looking, from what we can see. BUT, very non-original. Bent front bumper, non-original wheels, floor shift conversion, custom interior. The engine is no way original. No oil filler/breather cap at the front of the intake manifold. (Most likely has an adapter at the back of the intake manifold for PCV hose connection. Has been upgraded with an alternator. And I have never seen a rectangular breather/oil filler cap that this one appears to be on the valve cover. It looks to me like the original steering column with original “tree” shifter removed. Just a different steering wheel. Actually, a newer steering column and steering wheel is a huge plus. These had a solid “non-collapsing” steering shaft with an arrowhead cast metal style horn. Just waiting to impale your chest in a serious accident. It always caused me pause when looking at the one in my ’55 Chev. Convertible. But! I was young and invincible, so it didn’t cause me pause for very long, and not enough to make me slow down. (High-school kids are just carzy!)
With all the power house cinders used back then I have to believe thats not original paint. Even so it looks to be in decent condition but without inspection its hard do decide a price worth the risk.
Having had a 56 Bel Air with 4 gear it was a fun car to have the boys ride around in drinking suds. Which is why most floor boards did not last or old street signs. The fit was perfect. And finding a numbers matching 4 speed to any late 50’s car is a miracle.
After looking at the video I can see that it has buckets of fiberglass stuck to it. And was a 3 on the tree by looking at the column.