Tri-five Chevrolets have been consistent performers in the classic market for decades, and pristine examples often attract eye-watering prices. However, there are also cars at the other end of the spectrum demanding attention, and this 1956 Bel Air is such a vehicle. Life hasn’t treated it kindly, and I’m sure I’m not the only enthusiast who finds its current condition distressing. That begs the question of whether anyone can save it from a fate worse than death. If you feel you could make a difference, the Bel Air is listed here on Craigslist in Chesterfield, Virginia. The asking price of $3,500 makes it affordable, but has it reached the point of no return? Regardless of how you answer that question, the missing parts mean the new owner requires a trailer to get this Chevy home. Barn Finder T.J. has been on the hunt for classics, and I must say a big thank you for spotting this dilapidated Chevy.
Cars like this Bel Air cause genuine enthusiasts to whimper because it seems its glory days are behind it. We catch glimpses of its original Code 702 combination of Sherwood Green and Pinecrest Green, but most of the paint has made way for surface corrosion and penetrating rust. The abundance of rust will be cause for concern because it impacts virtually every body panel. What is visible of the floors shows heavy surface corrosion, so potential buyers need to brace for the cost and effort of replacing them and the trunk pan. The frame is an unknown quantity, but if it has penetrating rust, it could be the end of the line for this classic. If we assume it’s sound, it will still require media blasting and painting to ensure it doesn’t deteriorate further. Some glass pieces are broken, and most of the trim is missing. If someone tackles this project, their shopping list will be as long as their arm, my arm, and the arms of several other people!
The seller indicates that what you see is what you get with this Bel Air, meaning the interior is incomplete. The seat frames have gone, and items like the radio weren’t far behind. Anything remaining requires restoration or replacement, meaning this build will impact every vehicle component. We receive no engine photos, but we know the car’s original 265ci V8 and two-speed Powerglide transmission are intact. The engine’s specifications are unclear, but the original owner had at least 170hp at their disposal. They’re a robust powerplant, so if it turns, coaxing it back to life might be possible. Otherwise, an engine rebuild will be another cost associated with this restoration.
We’ve all seen some pretty sad cars brought back to life, but classics like this 1956 Bel Air raise a question worth pondering. Revival is possible because reproduction parts remain readily available. However, by the time the new owner strips this car to the last nut and bolt, it appears they can salvage the frame, cowl, roof, inner body steel, some of the glass, and most of the drivetrain. If they rebuild this car to its original specifications, is it really a restoration, or does it become a faithful refurbishment? It will be fascinating to gauge reader feedback and to see how many would be willing to rise to the considerable challenge this old Chevy offers.
Save what??? Pretty far gone.
It’s already on a trailer …. take it to the junk yard.
$3,500 hahaha Yeah, right ! What are you smoking ?
That Wacky Tobaccy can really go to some people’s heads!!! This Kat must be a buddy of Willie Nelson’s! I Own a ’56 B.A. 2 Dr. Hdtp & would offer $200 as a parts car. If anyone buys this car to Restore, I hope they have some DEEEEEEEP pockets!!!!! Sheeesh!
Enough there to make cool dirt track car.
Yeah, all you would need is a 95% donor car to complete that project.
This car may not even be worth $50.
Even the rust has fallen off.
I would never ask someone for money for a car in this shape.What is this world coming to. pray for this person
Seriously, give/donate to someone. Make them promise to take you cruising a few times in the very unlikely event they ever make a functioning car out of this.
Well, I can’t top any of the above comments, but with them, I concur.
$3500? Let me start the bidding at $10 and that includes throwing in the trailer.
Restomod it by all means! At least the car will still be on the road. It doesn’t need to be a 100 point show
car if you’re the one that’s gonna keep
it quite awhile. Any good hometown
metal bender can do the metalwork
for you without breaking the bank.
Same thing for the interior too. Your
local upholstery shop could stitch you
up a really nice interior for half the cost of an authentic by the book resto
that some hobbyists crave today. For
power, you use a 350 crate motor mated to a T350 or T400 tranny and
all the trappings that go with it. And
brakes? Discs upfront and drums out
back win out most every time. Add
Vintage Air and heat, and you’ve got
yourself an honest daily driver that you can REALLY drive without getting
Freaked out when other drivers get
too close. Anyhoo, that’s how we did
it in the ’70s.
Pulled out of a swamp?
“Trailer Needed: 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air”
I dare say more than a trailer is needed.
Too pricey but would make a cool gasser stripped interior with single bucket straight front axle all that lack of metal would make it lighter LOL 😂
Greatly over priced that is depending as to what you get crossing the scales. I don’t have great hopes that the scrap scale price will compete.
Me. Honey see what I got.
Wife , oh dear don’t worry let me call little Joey to help you pushing it next to the curb because tomorrow is the Bulk Trash Pickup day.
Had to come to the comments to get my laughs and see if other people agree with what I see. :)
I had to check twice. Am I reading Bring-A-Trailer or Bring-A-Dumpster.
Check a 3rd time John you are reading Barn finds rust week special LOL
Thanks for the clarification Rmac! But it still feels like Bring-A-Dumpster. LOL
Wow I looked at that car last week it looked ok then what happened
There are a bunch of homeless chickens looking for some shelter!!!
$3500 sure is a lot for a $250 “parts” car.
I think the seller should drag it to the local Tech School and donate it, I bet the students would love tearing into this
$35, maybe. And then you could stick a random Ford engine in it to irk the purists*.
*A musical reference; Half Man Half Biscuit.
While no seller should be shamed for taking what an informed, willing purchaser is willing to pay, shenanigans like this are deplorable. George LeBay (of S. King’s Christine notoriety) was supposed to be a sheister, an instantly recognizable caricature of scoundrel. Since when did LeBay become a role model for so many sellers?
The recent ‘29 Nash listing lamented the uncertain future for the old car hobby, citing, shall we say, ‘aging out’ of older generations and lack of interest in younger generations.
Certainly, Packards and points distributors don’t make most thirty-something’s’ shortlists, trimming a rope rear main is a lost art to most techs turning wrenches today, and most seventeen year olds probably think setting the choke is something in the fetish section on adult websites.
That is not to say there is no interest. The dealbreaker? Interest alone isn’t enough in this market where the mentality has shifted from ‘hobby car’ to ‘investment vehicle.’ Maybe the fates will allow some of this old tin to survive until the market ‘corrects.’
Drag this poor thing to a local car club and let them rescue anything of utility still clinging to the carcass. Scrap the rest, cry when it leaves, and stick a dog turd in the seller’s mailbox.
Rant over.
Amen, Brother.
The decimal point is in the wrong place, it should be $3.50. What a p.o.s
Looked several times and still don’t see what the seller is offering for that asking price. There is nothing here to justify it. In fact the more I looked, the more it would appear that this is a picked through parts car headed for the scrapper that was intercepted and offered for sale..
Dilapidated is an accurate description for this one. Only I didn’t know dilapidated was a new description for overpriced cars ready for the scrap yard.
Another October “you’ve got to be kidding” list maker.