To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Fort Lauderdale event, April 1-3, 2016.

Chassis No.
VC56T154255

Estimate:
$ 50,000 - $ 60,000 US

The debate as to which of the classic mid-fifties Chevy Bel Air models is the best looking will go on forever. Some prefer the subtlety of the 1955, while others thrive on the flamboyance of the finned 1957 models; many enthusiasts opine the 1956 embodies the perfect balance of the other two.

The subtle changes to the Chevy’s body design in 1956 gave it a fresh, new, lighter appearance. Chevrolet promoted bold new “Motoramic” styling that ranged from handsomely recessed headlights to rakish rear fender cutouts and many new colors and combinations. An innovation for the 1956 Chevrolet line was utilizing the left taillight as a fuel filler door. Inside, the dash retained the dual cowl look, but now the mesh matched that of the front grille. Chevy also proved to the world that their full-size cars were not just rolling sculptures by setting new speed records and winning races. The tradition of Chevrolet quality is evident in every detail.

The example being offered is seen with many accessories that only add to the luster of this fine car. It is powered by a 265-cid V-8 engine that features a four-barrel carb and dual exhaust and is paired with an Powerglide automatic transmission Other features include a Continental kit (there is also a matching spare onboard the trunk), wire wheel hubcaps, dual sideview mirrors, exhaust extensions, front bumper guards, radio, fender skirts, whitewall tires and power steering. There is also a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue passenger car inspection sticker from 1956. The Chevy was professionally judged at the Chevy International Winter Nationals where it scored 923 of the 1,000 available points. This is reported as a very straight and solid car that has also received new chromed and stainless elements, tinted glass and rubber weatherstripping. The interior is new and the top is a fresh cloth top from Haartz.

The Bel Air is presented in Crocus Yellow over Onyx Black (Code 696) and uses similarly toned materials in the two-tone interior trim (Code 578). One of the Chevrolet brochures from 1956 illustrated a car in these handsome colors within its pages. The data tag indicates that this car has at some point experienced a color change for both exterior and interior. The data tag codes show the car came from the factory with paint Code 706 (India Ivory over Sherwood Green) with trim Code 606 (Green).

In 1956 Chevrolet produced 669,053 Bel Air models in seven different body styles; of these, 41,268 (approximately six-percent) were the popular convertible that is still widely admired in automotive circles to this day.
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible