Original Paint: 1956 Chevrolet 210
When it comes to tri-five Chevrolets, the Bel Airs tend to get all the glory. With a fancier trim package and deluxe paint colors, the Bel Air certainly has a lot going for it. At the other end of the spectrum is the base model 150, with limited trim and option packages. Sandwiched between the two is the 210, with more trim than the 150 but not so extravagant as the Bel Air. Possibly making the 210 the sweet spot of tri-fives is the fact that they were available with the same drivetrain options as the Bel Air, at a lower overall price. This meant that a buyer could have a car that looked like middle-of-the-road family transportation, but with a 265ci Turbo-Fire V8 under the hood. Our feature car, located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and found here on eBay, was originally a six-cylinder model with a three-on-the-tree. However, that situation has been remedied with the installation of a correct-year V8 with the Power Pack option, along with a Muncie four-speed.
The vehicle is described as currently running and driving, with the engine having had the carburetor recently rebuilt and a new gas tank installed. The PowerPack option included a four-barrel carburetor and could have had some other upgrades including a hotter cam, depending on which version it is. The seller also notes that the car has dual exhaust with glass pack mufflers, which are sure to amplify the V8 rumble. The engine bay would look great with a little cleaning and paint, and maybe the addition of some vintage speed parts in the process.
The listing’s pictures of the interior are limited, but what we can see looks good. The dash appears to have all its buttons and knobs, and the original steering wheel and trim ring are still in place. The floorpans are described as being rock-solid, along with the trunk floor, minimizing any bodywork that the new owner may wish to perform.
However, that work may be minimal, as the exterior looks solid too, with straight panels and only light surface rust. The trim tag denotes that the car was manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri, with Charcoal cloth interior and Onyx Black paint. This provides proof that the vehicle is still highly original, but with a desirable period-correct engine upgrade that helps maintain its authenticity. It’s not hard to picture this car with a slightly lower stance, a set of dog-dish hubcaps, and a bit wider tires in the rear, making it the ultimate cruiser with a perfect patina. What modifications, if any, would you would make if you were this car’s next caretaker?
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Comments
Very similar to my 56 210. It started life as a 6/3sp. The options are many. My plan included 350/700R4, 3:42 10 bolt, bigger blackwall tires with powdercoated wheels and dog dish caps, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt, power windows, front disc brakes, power door locks and trunk, stereo, cruise control………and on and on. Mine came with a solid body, too, being a Tucson, AZ car. It’s a hoot to drive.
Awesome car! If only I had an empty stall for it …
But I have doubts about the original paint claim. On the top of the driver’s quarter you can see factory primer, then factory black, then gray (almost white) primer on top of that, then the top coat of black on top of that. And that gray/white primer is heavy on the passenger side. You can also see cracking UNDER the paint over one of the headlights, suggesting a prior repair there. All that seems to suggest body work for a minor scrape on the passenger side, and minor rust over the headlight (a bad area on 55-56’s), followed by the gray/white primer then a full repaint.
Thumps up to you Tyson Wheeler for not calling this a Bel-Air.
283/ 4bbl, glass packs and a 4 speed! A perfect recipe for too much fun, especially if it can be had for under 20k.
Whoever did the engine swap took the time to also relocate the radiator to the correct V-8 position, an effort not always accomplished.
56 has always been my favorite of the tri fives, & the 150 or 210 post cars appealed to me more than the Bel Air. This car pushes all the right buttons for me, & I wish I didn’t have other products that need finishing, or I would be a bidder. A little interior work, leave the body alone, add Vintage Air, transplant a Ram Jet 350 fuel injected crate motor along with a T5 or T56 & drive it.
Almost $19,000 with a day left. I’m watching to see what the final price will be.
A neat feature of the ’56 210 is the trim allows for a four color paint theme.
My uncle’s parents had one in black, cream, coral and grey. They couldn’t take it out without someone pestering them to sell it.