Nice 2 Tone Paint/Rebuilt 283ci V8/CPP Power Steering/Rebuilt Rear/AC/Frame Off

For consignment, a beautifully frame off restored 1956 Bel Air with a magenta metallic, (almost a faint fuchsia tinge), and white painted exterior, a built 283ci motor, power steering, front disc brakes and air conditioning all wrapped within a dual fan style dash.  This beauty is ready to go or show, just turn the key!

Exterior
The 1957 version is always the talk of the town, but this writer feels that the 1956 version offers up a simplified cleaner design all around.  The shiny mirror like grille with its big bumper below an egg crate silver grille and single headlights framed by fenders with the beginnings of a trim spear above, it just does not get any better.  Nice use of chrome on the wheel well in front that ends at the front of the wheel arch and above there is the ever-widening spear that takes over the rear quarter panel.  Deep end of the pool magenta metallic coats the front 2/3rds of the car while resplendent in pearl white which covers the roof, trunk lid, and tail of this snappy design ride.  Rocket-like taillights frame the trunk and still hide the gas fill cap to boot!  A shout out to the lightly tinted windows and 15-inch chrome Cragar wheels which frame this throwback to the era of Bill Haley and the Comets car.

Interior
Swinging the doors open we shake hands with black and white vinyl paneled door coverings that have kept their pristine original cranks, handles and chrome trimmings.  Stretching from door to door in front is a bench seat with a split back which is covered in black broadcloth for the inserts with white vinyl bolsters.  The rear bench follows suit in design with the front, and floats on black clean carpeting. The dual fan style dash, (another feature which will sadly go away in '57),  fronts the seats and is very clean and sporting original gauges and knobs along with an aftermarket  AM/FM radio and the controller for the AC and heater neatly tucked into the dash and lots of shiny chrome mixes with black metal paint for this attractive dash.  Fronting this beautiful dash is a tilt steering column with a 1959 Impala steering wheel perched atop.  Up high is a tight ivory vinyl headliner and a shout out to the trunk with its clean white side panels and black rubber mat.

Drivetrain
A top-notch restoration under the hood, with all parts gleaming on this circa 1959 283ci V8.  This mighty mill has been bored .030 over, had a L79 camshaft added and had 327ci V8 heads installed with 2.02" intake valves.  It is topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and backed up by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission.  Way back is a fully rebuilt rear axle with 3.55 gearing.  Keeping things cool is an aluminum radiator with a built in condenser for the AC and dual electric cooling fans.

Undercarriage
As with any frame off restoration, the body was removed from the frame and has allowed power coating to be performed to the frame.  All is nicely restored, with nary a spec of surface rust erupting, just solid pale red painted flooring and rockers with all remaining structurally sound and all clean underneath.  A like new exhaust system with headers and stainless steel mufflers makes its way to the back of the car where it ends well in polished straight cut tips.  Disc brakes are on front along with an all new independent coil spring suspension, and leaf springs with drums have been mounted to the rear.  We note the addition of CPP power steering for easy handling of tight turns.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and overall good runner.  It has great acceleration from the 283 cuber, nice handling and the disc brakes and power steering are a benefit and work flawlessly.  All controls worked successfully for our test thanks to all new wiring throughout the car but we did note the AC was blowing warm.

A very nice restoration and upgrade to the original.  Great color scheme, nicely preserved chrome, and beautiful original looking dash.  One of the top-notch examples of a Tri Five Chevrolet to have here at Classic Auto Mall.

VC56K105610

V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
56-1956
K-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant
105610-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

STYLE 56 1037D-1956 Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop
BODY K8066-Kansas City Body #
TRIM 581-Blue Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT 707D-India Ivory & Nassau Blue