A week or so ago, my colleague Scotty Gilbertson, covered a 1957 Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon, and as is usually the case with cars of that nature, the review earned many comments. A two-door station wagon seems such a contradiction in functionality. The Chevrolet Nomad is the scene-stealer in this unusual body-style but there were many others in the ’50s and early ’60s. And for your review, here is a ’56 Chevrolet 210, a notch below a Nomad or the Pontiac alternative known as the Safari. Located in Brookings, California, this Chevy wagon is available, here on craigslist for $19,500. Thanks to Pat L. for this tip!
I am referring to this Chevrolet station wagon as a “210” trim level but it appears as neither the entry-level 150 nor the higher level 210. The trim is more indicative of a 210, minus the diagonal pieces that run mostly in a vertical direction from the existing beltline up to the base of the rear side windows. The seller states that he has “all remaining exterior molding and interior garnish moldings” so that collection may include the missing strip. Total Chevrolet station wagon production in 1956 was 198K units. Of that total, there were about 53K two-door variants spread across the three different trim levels, 150, 210, and BelAir/Nomad. And this is where the “unusual” body-style descriptor arises. It’s 1956, right in the middle of the post-war Baby-Boom, kids are everywhere and the perfect kid-hauler, the station wagon, is as common as bugs on a Texas bumper in July. For the sake of functionality, why a car, like a station wagon, with only two-doors? Some were designed for trade use where a back seat isn’t necessary, as to the rest? Good question.
This Chevy has undergone the typical modifications that are frequently bestowed on tri-five chevies, wagon, or otherwise. The listing is light on details but the seller states that there is a 283 CI, V8 under the hood working through a Powerglide automatic transmission. Being a 283, it’s a year ahead of itself so it’s not the original engine. I spy a Holley carburetor, an open-element air cleaner, an aluminum intake manifold, an alternator in place of a generator, and an electric cooling fan. As to what else may have been bestowed on this 283 engine, mums the word. The seller claims, “This Wagon runs and drives“. While better than silence, it’s hardly a ringing endorsement.
The exterior looks good! The body is nice and straight with no sign of rust and the understatement of a plain, white finish works perfectly with the American Racing wheels. The black painted bumpers aren’t IMHO, ideal, they seem an odd detour considering the overall state of the exterior but it’s a matter of preference and can easily be changed if the next owner so desires.
The interior of this Chevy wagon is a mixed bag. The original steering wheel is still in place and the dash looks to have been painted to match the exterior – they present well. The V-shaped instrument panel, with an aftermarket tachometer, is in place and looks fine but alas! the original radio is no more. The door cards and carpet, however, are missing and the front seat has been treated to a full-on duct tape treatment. While the backseat looks to have fared better than the front, the missing interior panel/card issue continues back into the cargo compartment.
As I have stated before, this is a body-style were not likely to encounter again. While maybe not so functional for people ingress/egress, it does have a totally cool vibe about it. If this were my wagon, I’d deep-six the Powerglide, chrome the bumpers and find an original radio, how about you, what would you do?
There was a time before childproof rear door locks that a 2-door sedan or wagon was considered safer for the little kiddies to ride in because they couldn’t open the doors and fall out.
Good point!
JO
That was my father’s mentality as well.
The selection of a 2 door wagon over one with 4 doors could have been for financial reasons. The 150 series did not have a 4 door wagon. The least expensive 4 door Chevy wagon was in the 210 line with a $92 (MSRP) premium over the 150.
The swept spear-like side trim looks buickish.
Hey hey, lets watch the profanity here. Who are you calling buickish?
Or maybe just that it looks so much better!!
I can smell the new paint. Looks good in the pics but you would want to make sure its not a mud queen. pics of underside also please. Lots of unfinished stuff but if this is a nice solid car it would be a nice one to finish. I’m sure the bumpers are painted because re chroming is expensive. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
If this were mine, I would want to paint a darker color below the trim strip and two-tone this — it would keep it from looking too much like a service vehicle. Since the engine compartment and interior shows some teal, maybe that would be an option, but a dark blue color would look great with the white. And yeah, those bumpers need to be chromed. It’s a nice car to start with, though.
Looks nice. Will need an interior and repaint under the hood, but I love the 2 door wagons..
I agree with previous comment two tone paint would make it pop as will rechroming bumpers. Hope mexhanical and brakes are sound. My chrome guy is 3 months out on jobs so understand.
The Powerglide was/is a great tranny, often seen in use on Dragstrips to this very day. This one will have the cast iron version. The 283 runs? LOL. Bulletproof. If it doesn’t smoke so bad that you can’t stand behind the car or knock so loud you can’t talk beside it, it is good to go. :-) Terry J
The 2-door wagon, of any make or model has become one of the most sought after body styles and the 55 to 57 Chevrolet Handyman, is near the top of the pile. I personally love 2-door wagons and have had one. I would say this one would be a great starting point and the price is about right. If you want to play in that world, when its popular its not cheap.
Looks OK. Trans should be upgraded for better drive ability. Subject to a thorough inspection of course. I always thought that the 55 Chevys were too boxy, the 57 was a little out there but the 56 was just right in the styling department.
Dual feed holley on the 283, tried it back in the 70s (65 Impala SS). Never ran right with it, swapped to a 600 cfm single feed and black mark city.
I think this car looks better than the 45000 dollar 57.
That’s the same thing I was thinking. It may be a solid car with original A/C but that still doesn’t justify that price. I’d rather have a modern Vintage Air servo controlled unit any day over that monster. If it brings that I’ll be surprised. I sold my all original rust free ’57 Aztec Gold Nomad too cheap to a friend about 8 years ago for $20K. It needed a restoration but was pretty nice solid care.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dzRpHhBhB2iu8Mzw2
This looks to be a “Handyman” wagon. I have a 56 Handyman 150 series in my garage now waiting restoration. The Handyman was a 2 door wagon that came in both 150 and 210 series. Handyman had separate tailgate and upper glass hatch where the panel or delivery wagon had a 1 piece tailgate/hatch (and normally no side glass).
Jim, where is Brookings, California?
Brookings is located on the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast six miles north of the California border on U.S. Highway 101.
400 miles North of Sacramento.
This car is NOT listed on any Oregon Craigslist page.
Smell a rat.
Beware…
Beats me, I just linked his listing which stated that it was in the Sacramento metro area.
JO
Owned a ’56 210 4 door, teal and ivory. ALL chrome parts pitted within two years of purchase despite my teenaged best attempts to wash and wax, bumpers very expensive to plate, so that is probably why they are painted. This could have been teal and ivory when new, they made a lot of them. Or, this was a 150. I never saw a 210 in a single color.
I owned a ’57 210 2 door wagon back in circa 1975. One owner, little old lady car, 265 stick and O.D. Faded paint, Canyon Coral w white top that I was anxious to change. But alas when it was time for the repaint I told the shop: Canyon Coral & white. Had to, I guess. But many’s the time that someone said something about my nice Pink wagon. Grrr….. It is NOT PINK. IT IS CANYON CORAL. It is NOT Pink. :-) Terry J
If you’re going to retain the “wrong” 283 and change out the Powerglide for a manual (both of which I agree) what is the logic behind replacing with an original radio?
My favorite Tri-Five is the ’56 210 Handyman Wagon, I guess that’s why I own one. I even sold my ’57 Nomad and bought this one. The original color schemes and the original interiors are some the best looking combinations ever offered by any OEM manufacturer. This one needs the missing piece of chrome installed and repainted the original two tone turquoise/white color. The price is fair if its solid and rust free. Here’s another decent one in that color for a lot less money on the HAMB.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1956-chevy-handyman-wagon-lowered-price-11-500.1172133/#post-13917940
My ’56 Handyman a red/white color combination (the red is non-original but close) with a black/white interior. It still has a 283/Powerglide that I’m replacing with a 400/700R4 or a Turbo 400/Gear Vendors overdrive. I’ve already replaced all the glass, put in a RainGear wiper system and I have a Vintage Air system to install yet in it. Here’s some pics of it.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/J7PkjBTP8RYck6V2A
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sE3838ocUNfRyfTS8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XwX7egA57SAfJ863A
That’s a 56 210 handyman the window crank is in the backseat they only cranks down approximately halfway a 150 has stationary windows.A eight dollar can of black spray paint beats $2000 worth of chrome bumpers
<> Catherwood?
I own a 56 Handyman Wagon that won the PPG Paint Your Ride contest and was made into a Hot Wheels toy. In the three years of Chevy Shoebox Wagons, 55, 56, &57, the 56 is my favorite year.