1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible 'The Hot One is Even Hotter' was the motto that Chevrolet boasted for its 150, 210 and Bel Air series in 1956. With a new Super Turbo Fire V8, the new 1956 promised a friskier, sweeter ride with safer passing. Playing off the success of the previous year redesign, the new 1956 Chevy was met with an appetite of frenzy from the buying public. Minor changes were made to the 1956, including new engine options, a slightly different dash, a newly hidden gas filler cap in the rear fin, and colors, trim and fabrics. The '56 Chevy was a hit as sales continued to climb. OldRide.com For consignment, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible showing 754 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This car now packs a 454ci V8 crate motor that puts out 450 horsepower. It has lots of newer parts on board including the convertible top pump and hoses, fuel tank, Moog steering components, and brake/fuel lines. Exterior This is a silver and white standout augmented by 17-inch American Racing Torque Thrust Special Edition wheels in black, a fantastic offset for the light colored body featuring two stage Inca Silver and India Ivory. The stainless trim forms a spear in front surrounding the white that ends up covering the top of the rear fender and the entire decklid, and the trim meets the chrome bumper wrap around below the ornate tail light nacelles that house jet age influenced lights. Speaking of jet age, don't stand in the street because the bird beaked aircraft that is the hood ornament is a large, leading piece of metal atop a chrome filled face and bumper. Imperfections include some bubbling on lower panels, some typical darkening of the white canvas on the soft top, crackling on the rocker panels, some checking, chips, and scratches throughout. Interior Ivy and charcoal panels alternate on the door panels to include a pleated section and angular inserts over a straight black lower, and both doors are in good condition. White vinyl surrounds charcoal cloth in the typical 50's fashion of triangular uppers and stitched borders below and both the split bench in front and full bench in back present in very nice shape. A beautiful black steering wheel is adorned with a full horn ring and chrome center, a work of art that also steers the car! It leads to an equally stunning design in the restored dash with glossy black over lots of polished metal and a fan shaped Dakota Digital speedometer over a grated metal mid dash. That fan shape is replicated in front of the passenger where Bel Air gold script tops a clock and the center area houses an AM/FM radio and toggle panel that controls the fan, trans bypass, and wipers. Black carpet below appears fresh and the trunk wears a fitted rubber mat. Drivetrain Good things are happening under the hood and it's all accompanied by lots of shiny components. Here we have Five Star Engine Exchange's 454ci V8 with a Howards Cam, (.572i/532e lift), and an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor on top, all good for 450 mighty horses. It's mated to a rebuilt 200R4 4-speed automatic that our consignor states is from a Grand National, built by Lee's Speed Shop with 500hp internals. This sends power to the rebuilt rear axle with 3.36 gears. Coated headers are the obvious choice here and are present on the red painted block surrounded by a bling fest. Undercarriage We're talking spotless underneath with just a wisp of surface rust on the frame and some rust holes on inner panels but the rest is structurally sound. Four wheel power disc brakes are onboard to hold those horses at bay, and Wilwood is the brand of choice. The dual exhaust flows through stock style mufflers before squeezing out of chrome oval tips out back. Suspension includes coil springs up front and newer leaf springs in back and the newer Moog steering components are clear to see while we have her up on the lift. A touch of surface rust colors the door bottoms but has not become invasive. Drive-Ability We t