Almost a Bel Air: 1956 Chevrolet 210
Middle of the road. In between. Smack dab in the middle. In a sense, that’s sort of the role the 210 played for Chevrolet when it was introduced in 1953. The 210 was a step above Chevy’s entry-level 150 model but a step below the more glamorous Bel Air, even though the 210 could be optionally fitted with many of the same components as a Bel Air. As the fifties decade went on, sales of the Bel Air were increasing while the 210 sales were declining, and 1957 marked the end of the road for the 210. If you’ve been in the market for a well-preserved unrestored example, this 1956 Chevrolet 210 just might fit the bill. Located in Brooklyn, New York, it can be seen here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $16,000.
The seller says that the body is in great shape and has no rust issues, and if the floor pans and the rest of the car look as good as inside the trunk, then this really does appear to be a good solid vehicle. The car is said to still have its original paint, and judging from the photos it looks like the only visible body rust is a handful of small areas on the quarter panels around the wheel openings, and they appear to be minor in nature. The bumpers look like they have a bit of surface rust, but it doesn’t look like anything major.
Things inside are overall nicely preserved as well, and assuming that’s the original interior it’s looking far better than what you’d find in most 65-year-old vehicles. The car is listed as having been driven only 31,524 miles, and while there is no documentation mentioned about this claim I’d think the interior would be in far worse shape if the odometer had rolled over. The seller says that the headlights, signals, windshield wipers, and fuel gauge all work great.
Under the hood is a 283 cubic inch V8 engine, with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor on top. The car is also equipped with a manual transmission, including a steering column 3-on-the-tree shifter. The seller says that this 210 starts right up, that it runs and drives great, and claims that you can get in and drive it home! The car is also looking nice and solid with the hood opened, with what appears to be just a small amount of light surface rust on the firewall.
This 210 really does have a look of good points, and I’m guessing that it won’t take long before it finds a new home. What are your thoughts on this 1956 Chevrolet 210? Do you think it’s best just to leave as-is and enjoy driving it, or do you think a restoration is in order?
Comments
Maybe I’m wrong but I thought the 283 came out in 1957, not in 1956. The V8 in this ’56 should be a 265 ci. If it is a 283 under the hood, it’s a transplant. Still, it looks like a nice solid car and probably worth the ask.
You are right FordGuy. Not only that, but Nothing under the hood is original except maybe the radiator, which is mounted Outside the crossbar, which is one of several indications that this was an original 235 6 banger + the V8’s had a chrome V under the Hood & Trunk emblems. Also, the interior is Not a 56 Chevy interior! Except MAYBE the door panels, can’t get a close up view to tell for sure! Nevertheless, still a nice project car that I think is overpriced for all that it needs, However, it seems that nearly All the cars on the site are overpriced. Even still, Someone Will grab this one!!!! If it were mine, I would restore it back to ALL Original. Nice Color combination!!!!!
Can someone tell me a guesstimate on what a 58 Chevy Belaire 4 door with a good body with little to no rust with automatic and small block that has set in a dry garage for about 18 to 25 years is worth? My neighbor has decided to let me get it if the offer is liked. It was the car he and his sweetheart had in high school. It.s now about 46 years, guessing.
I could never afford a 2 door and really once I get it running all it.ll need is some simple tlc, and even I can do that.
Any help appreciated.
Robert
Maybe a Thousand bucks Robert! Sorry but 58 4 doors have Very Little demand. Might be a nice car for a daily driver!
Cool cars. Like the v8 and manual combo here.
Correct. No way it’s a 283 and original. 283 was introduced in 1957 as the top engine. This car came with a 265 if it is an original V8 car.
From the photos I would say that it is a Delray Coupe. Vinyl seats and carpet. Also, it probably was born with a 235 six. No V emblem under the Chevy badge.
I agree,originally a six.
No V’s and radiator ahead of radiator support,would be behind it for a V8 car.
I agree with everybody and I think it was a Del Ray, which also indicates the interior has been re done and not as it would have been. I love this year and model, but even at 16 K this will be an expensive build, no matter what you want to do wit it.
Original 6 cylinder, radiator in front of core support,V8 was behind
6 cyl hood emblem, 6 cyl radiator support. very likely original 6 cyl car (283 wasn’t around in 56)
Not a Del Ray, that had a black and white interior. Door panels look original, but the seat covers are not an original pattern.
dual master cylinder not stock (but good driver upgrade)
I’d worry about rust where you can’t see, but otherwise this looks like a catch.
Looks great overall. I’d lose those rims and go with something
that better suits the car. 31K car? No more like 131K. The 283
swap was probably done in the ’60s, but is a natural choice for
these cars. If the price were lower, my new GF and I would fly
in and drive it back to FL. Once there, it would grace our carport
for a long time to come.
My ’54 210 was this same exact color with the same color interior. Interior fabric almost felt like leather and extremely good looking. Was about to put an Olds V8 running gear in it when it got shortened considerably by an old 4 door Plymouth sedan. Some of those old cars really had some kind of heavy metal in them. The 210 never had a chance. Don’t know what it is but I agree with those who think the ’56 was a great looking car and possibly the best looking of the 3.
Looks like it’s been lowered. Had a 56 6cyl I used to drag race. Not an “original” car.
‘55’s, a little boxy. ‘57’s, a little showy. ‘56’s, just right!
Judging from the looks of the bumpers I’d be very wary about significant rust elsewhere.
Ditto here Denny! Did you notice how rusty the left fender extension is? And being a N.Y. Car? I would be very skeptical!!!!!
Back in about 1968 a very good friend had one of these 210 model 56 and his originally had a 6 cyl. 3 on tree. He took the car to his HS auto shop and did a v8 transplant w/auto trans. from a ’58 Caddy, it was a work of art after it was finished. Had the power no small 265 or 283 could give it. He called the car his Chevrolac.
I like the ’56 best of the tri five lineup, my younger brother has a nice original ’56 Nomad, blue & white 265 auto set up.
An Aunt of my Dad bought s 56 210 coupe new. It had the 265 powerpack motor with an automatic trans. Other that very plain inside and out. It did have vinyl seats and carpet. Very neat car which I drove few times. Unfortunately, she didn’t quit driving soon enough and before we knew it she was in a bad wreck and the car was totaled
and ended up as a parts car.
I agree with the 6 cylinder being original motor. Did they even make Holley carbs in 1956? I don’t know. I was born in 1955.
The cool thing about the 210 is you can paint it in four colors. My uncle’s parents had one in black, grey, coral and white. People were always trying to buy it. The combo could be seen on Dodges and Hudsons, but didn’t work nearly as well.
Clever calls on radiator ahead of lateral brace
Thanks Tony. When you’ve owned Tri-Fives for 47 years, ya Do learn a few things about them. I’ve had both……6 bangers & V8’s. A ’56 210 I had for 14 years had a 235, 3 on the tree with Overdrive. It got Over 20 MPG on the Hwy. & drove it across the country to Classic Chevy Conventions many times! Sold it to a guy in Hawaii.!!! Wish I had it back Now! But my 57 B.A. & my ’56 B,A, keep me busy!
Thanks to 57Chevy!
Hey all, I checked out this ’56. It was a 6 banger car. It rained the day before and there was water collected in several areas under carpets and in trunk. Repaint with worn out custom pinstriping all around barely noticeable. There’s a lot of work to do for this overpriced unit. Right front fender is banged up and the eyebrow is rotted, interior trim is gone for the dash and windshield and very pricy to get back. The guy flips cars all the time. Nothing wrong with that, but he denies any work he did. It literally has new 4″ drop blocks on the rear, cut to the frame front springs, new shocks all around, copper brake lines, leaking brakes, master upgrade but 4 wheel drums, rides like the frame hits the ground everywhere and front end is falling out. Wiring is no good and the alternator is ready to fly off the engine and I don’t think it’s charging. It’ll cost a lot to make right and he won’t move on his price. Its clean, but not that clean. Has a lot of road grime under it and hidden surprises as well. It’s got potential, but it will cost ya
Hey Tri5 Trent, just want to Thank You for checking out this car & informing all us viewers. I have always said: Pictures Do NOT tell the condition of a car + I even found that out for myself one time on a trip to Texas to Potentially buy a ’57 B.A. 2 Dr. Hdtp. I ended up taking the bus back home again! A Total Wasted Trip. I also know several people who have bought cars sight unseen except for photos on line. One guy bought a ’56 Nomad & traveled from N. Idaho to Saskatoon, Canada only to get home & discovered that the Inner rockers were Totally rusted out + the floorboards! He was extremely disappointed as he paid a Lot for it. + his expensive trip. My motto is: Never buy a car without checking it out IN PERSON!!!!!!