1956 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible

This is a car looking for its second owner: a 1956 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible that spent almost 60 years with the same family. We purchased the car from the estate of the original owner from Ohio. Previous OH title reading actual miles at 80,050 in 2018.

Made in General Motors' Flint, Michigan factory (VIN code F), this car was delivered to the original owner on and customized in the mid 60's. It was refreshed at some point during the 2010s. The black vinyl soft-top is manual operation and shows some age, but no tears.

Finished in red, the car's paint and trim are in overall very good order. The bodywork is straight and solid, the engine bay is very tidy while the chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body. The stock grille has been replaced with Buick “teeth” along with rear taillights, custom interior, four-speed transmission and front disc brake conversion.

This car rolls on BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, size 225/70R14 at every corner. Each one is mounted on an Appliance wire wheel. The wheels and tires are all in very good order. Speedo/Odo is inop. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a real mild custom Chevrolet Bel Air that can be enjoyed and driven as is or restored and build to your own taste.

Under the hood is a rebuilt 283 CID V-8 engine (engine code DH) with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, a MSD ignition and an aluminum radiator. This motor is backed by a four-speed manual transmission.

Inside, the diamond switch period black vinyl interior is in overall satisfactory condition, including the black front buckets and rear bench with quilted upholstery. The seats are older and stuffing is worn. There's a black carpet and an aftermarket, three-spoke steering wheel. The dashboard with Stewart Warner gauges and inner door panels are in satisfactory order. A floor shifter and an AM radio round out the interior.

The 1956 Bel Air received a face-lift with a more conventional full-width grille, pleasing those customers who didn't favor the Ferrari-inspired '55 front end. Two-tone bodyside treatments and front and rear wheel openings completed the “speedline” restyling. Single housings incorporated the taillight, stoplight and backup light, and the left one held the gas filler – an idea popularized on Cadillacs.

Documentation included original 1963 Ohio registration and a folder of invoices and receipts showing ownership and care.

Convertible competition to this Bel-Air in 1956 included Dodge's Coronet Red Ram, Ford's Fairlane Sunliner, Plymouth's Belvedere and Pontiac's Star Chief.

VIN: VC56F028319

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 89,000 actual miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title.

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