1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
For consignment, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, showing 77,258 miles that are unverifiable. Originally a Florida car, it arrived in Pennsylvania in the 90's where it has been garaged and driven in dry weather only.
Exterior
Two tone paint jobs are said by some to embody the joy of living, and it certainly does add an element of pizazz to this 1956, with Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige interacting on the body. The beige spears forward from coverage on the decklid and is accompanied by stainless trim the whole way to the front. From the back, it looks like you're following a beige car, but in profile, the dynamic combination of the colors gives movement and depth, augmented by detailed stainless accents behind the front wheel, rising to the shoulder line, and just above the wraparound front bumper. It's almost too much for the senses, like a fine piece of abstract art that just keeps revealing itself. Even the wheels are a complex combination of body colors and textures, the covers cut like a gear wheel and embossed with the bowtie around the center. The tan canvas top is in good condition, showing a bit of discoloration and housing a clear, plastic window. Get closer, and we detect a handful of touched up chips and scratches in the gold paint, and a small tear in the canvas. Beyond that, the paint and brightwork are very nice.
Interior
The partnership of color continues on the beautifully designed door panels which pick up on the spear-like protrusion of tan through a copper vinyl background, showing just a touch of patina but show worthy as is. It's a wonderful color combination which continues on the split bench front seat where tan V-shaped panels spill down over smooth copper, only to return on the lowers as stitched borders. This is all copied on the back bench, and all are in very nice condition. Sierra Gold makes a comeback on the shiny steering wheel with a contrasting and integrated horn ring. The dash is glossy with a classic jukebox-like appearance with an arched dash over a fan shaped speedometer surrounded by polished metal and robust chrome knobs. The grated mid panel of the dash houses an AM/FM radio, then intersects with another arched panel where Bel Air is scripted over a handsome clock. Copper loop carpet covers the floor with quality and copper visors are mounted to the polished window frame.
Drivetrain
A very clean, orange blocked 265ci V8 engine is under the hood, producing 205 horsepower with a single, 4-barrel carburetor on top. A Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission sets this beauty into motion and sends power to the 3.36 gears in back while drum brakes on all four slow it down.
Undercarriage
Clean underneath as well with minimal surface rust and very little grease build up at the knuckles. We note some residual oil on the rear differential and some sling by the U-joint, as well as a drop on the oil pan drain plug and residual on the transmission pan. The rest of the underside is clean and dry and devoid of any major imperfections. The dual exhaust flows cleanly into a pair of stock style mufflers, then find their way to the outside via chrome oval tips that resemble oversized USB-C plugs. Suspension consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Just sitting idly in this car is enough for us, but it doesn't tell us whether it will run. The interior is a very nice place to be with colors and materials that are both exciting and comfortable. But okay, we'll start it up, and when we did, we were not disappointed by the smooth running engine, the pleasant tone of the dual exhaust, and the soft ride on 70 series tires. Blind spots are slightly compromised by the canvas top but realistically, aren't you going to drive this with the top down anyway? That being said, we found the power top to be inoperable and speed will have to be by the seat of your pants because the speedometer is also not functioning. All other workable items, however, operated as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Despite some sizable production numbers, we haven't seen many convertible Tri-Fives at the mall, so we're excited to have this beautiful example in our Hallowed Halls. Can you imagine streets filled with two tone cars with chrome and polished accents in the '50s? They could not have known how iconic and classic these rolling bits of art would be, and this 1956 is a living example of the ornate daily drivers of the 1950's. We can say with some confidence that this one will attract attention, so register your interest as soon as you can.
VC56T021367
V-V8
C-2400 Series
56-1956
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
021367-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 56 1067DXT-1956 Bel Air Convertible
BODY NO L3323-Lansing Body #
TRIM NO 621-Copper & Tan Vinyl
PAINT NO 700-Adobe Beige, Sierra Gold
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
