265 V8 Barn Find: 1956 Chevrolet 210
Who remembers the TV commercials with Dinah Shore crooning, “See the USA in Your Chevrolet”? While that jingle was first used to promote the 1953 Chevies, it may have been better suited to the all-new 1955-57 “Tri Fives” that went on to sell almost five million copies. The 210 was the middle-of-the-road model, a step up from the basic 150 but a notch below the snazzier Bel Air. Yet they were the same cars under the skin. This 1956 2-door sedan, believed to be a 210 (the seller doesn’t say), is a true find with its original drivetrain intact, but it hasn’t run in some time. Located in Mecosta, Michigan, it will need some cosmetic attention as well and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for the nice round sum of $10,000.
Chevrolet had a big hit when the more modern-looking 1955s rolled out, outselling the 1954s by a wide margin. It didn’t hurt that a 265 cubic inch V8 engine was now available, which the original owner of this 1956 edition ordered along with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Chevrolet built more than 1.6 automobiles in 1956, where the cars were little changed except for the taillights. Of those, more than 206,000 2-door 210 sedans were assembled, which should include the seller’s car. It has more exterior chrome trim than the 150 had and not enough for the Bel Air, so we default to the 210 (also called the Two-Ten).
We don’t know how long this Chevy was tucked away in the barn but given the amount of dirt and grime and discoloration of the paint, we’re guessing longer than just last month. In later photos, the seller shows where the car has been cleaned up, helping to determine some of its issues. For example, the lower portions of the rear quarter panels have been nibbled on as well as the rockers. That suggests a thorough inspection of the undercarriage is in order.
At first, the Chevy looks like a two-tone car, but when cleaned up, it’s a single-color, which looks like Twilight Turquoise to me (in the “blue” family). The beige interior needs a good cleaning with the back seat looking surprisingly good. There’s a big wear spot where the driver sits, so that will have to be attended to. The seller admits not trying to get the car going again but does say the motor turns over (by hand?). There’s no battery present, so one has to wonder what would happen with one connected, along with a source of fresh gasoline?
Comments
If you expect top dollar for a car you could at least hose it off
Price isn’t really bad depending on the rust and if it can be made to run.
Why would that matter?
Edit: I see they later cleaned it up. Maybe they will get their 10K.
What do you run this on, unleaded gasoline? Does it need additives?
All it needs is hardened valve seats.
Sounds like a lot of work. Isn’t there just a bottle of something you could ass in when you fill up?
Lead substitute, you can buy it at AutoZone, WalMart.
Rodentis Infestis.
The back window is missing. I would be very hesitant to buy a Michigan car without a personal inspection for rust.
Yes, sir, Russ, this ’56 Chevrolet is a 210. I can tell that several ways:
1-Side trim on body is for a 210
2-Steering wheel is for a 210.
3-Instrument panel has the plainer looking finish
4-Seat pattern is for a 210
color may be Bahama blue, I had a 210 that was Bahama with a White roof
Is it the old 265V-8?
And to think I once bought a 4 door 56 hardtop for 250 bucks. OK Boomer.
And I bought an orange ’55 two-door hardtop with straight front axle and bubble hood for $15, a tray of eggs, and a half-used turtle wax can … it had a 409 with cracked heads, Edelbrock 2-4bbl intake and other “goodies” … my grandfather sold it for $25 for a loan payment after I moved to Chicago in 1971 – he was a very practical man …
It has been cleaned up as shown on Face Book. Not to bad. I wonder what happened to the rear window.
Back glass can be found for around $200. I’m surprised it’s still listed given the intrinsic value for an all original V-8 tri-five. I’ll bet the floor pans aren’t too far gone by looking at the under hood pics. This would be a good buy for someone wanting a classic to have on the road quickly.
It always amazes me how much disposable money people have to buy a car that is going to need so much more money to be fixed up just to be road worthy. We used to guesstimate how much it was going to cost us in repairs and restoration and subtract that OFF of the price of the car. Smh. I am glad some people have deep pockets. Not that long ago this would have to be maybe a $600 because of all of the repairs needed. Heck, I’ve paid far less than that for cars that I drove home.
It always amazes me how much disposable money people have to buy a car that is going to need so much more money to be fixed up just to be road worthy. We used to guesstimate how much it was going to cost us in repairs and restoration and subtract that OFF of the price of the car. Smh. I am glad some people have deep pockets. Not that long ago this would have to be maybe $600 because of all of the repairs needed. Heck, I’ve paid far less than that for cars that I drove home.
This is a joke right? Better to just buy a car that is not a northern rust bucket at 20-25k any buyer would be ahead on money spent. At least 20-25 grand to fix this heap.