Price :
$47,000.00

1522 Southern Street, Levittown, NY 11756

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Vehicle Description

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

The 1955-1957 year range represented a lot of effort by GM. They

spent a million dollars in 1956 alone because they wanted to make

the Bel Air look like the more expensive Cadillacs. The result was

extravagant body lines, Cadillac-inspired bumper guards, and tail

fins. Although largely a carry-over model, sales soared in 1956,

especially for Bel Air models. This is thanks to the popular V8

introduced in the prior year. 1956 Chevrolets had hidden gas caps

-they were behind the drivers side taillight! The Chevrolet

advertising slogan for 1956 aptly stated, "The Hot One is even

Hotter!"

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

thefront 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 chromeCragar 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, thebody 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.

Location