The last 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air we had sold shockingly quickly and it was a plain old 4-door sedan. This time, it's a gorgeous Bel Air convertible complete with a correct 265 cubic inch V8, beautiful paint, and a very appealing interior. This one surely won't last long, either!For many collectors, the '56 Chevys are the most attractive of the shoebox triplets, with clean lines that are more modern than the '55 and not nearly as outrageous as the '57, striking just the right balance between flash and substance. You can't argue with the results, and following a high-quality restoration a few years ago, this car still shows quite well. Gaps are tight, the long, flat panels were sanded smooth before the paint went on, and someone put in some overtime getting all that bright trim to line up just right. The two-tone color combination is code 711 Matador Red and India Ivory, which is this car's original color, and gives the Chevy a sporty look that's practically the poster child for 1956 Bel Airs. The sweeping spear of contrasting paint that wraps into the rear deck is a styling triumph and the split was expertly rendered with no signs of tape lines or careless masking. It goes without saying that a small fortune was spent on the chrome, and all of it looks extremely crisp and clear with a great shine on the polished stainless pieces.The two-tone interior is new and looks just the way Chevy would have done it back in '56. Combining the colors gives it a wonderful '50s pastel look with high style that's all out of line with the car's factory sticker price, and it's been expertly re-created here. There are a few minor signs of having been driven, but save for some light discoloration on the white areas of the upholstery, it's still very presentable. No resto-mod tricks here, just original gauges, some shiny trim, and the original AM radio in the dash. Seat belts were added, which is always a good idea in today's traffic, and there are bright red rubber floor mats to keep the carpets looking their best. The trunk is fitted with a reproduction rubber mat, full-sized spare, and a jack assembly for a factory look. The convertible top was probably replaced when the car was restored a few years ago, and features a plastic rear window and color-matched white boot for a tidy look when it's stowed.The legendary Chevy small block V8 is as wonderful today as it was when it was first introduced, and with dual quads up top, it makes a fine travelling partner. From the big "batwing" air cleaner to the original generator with integral power steering pump, this one goes by the original recipe, which also ensures reliability. On the other hand, cracking open the secondaries makes this shoebox Chevy feel like a muscle car, and it's always impressive to show off that intake setup. New wiring, a big radiator up front, and a 3-speed manual transmission are all the way the factory intended, although the bubbly dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers is an upgrade that you'll appreciate on the road. The suspension is correctly detailed with red oxide primer on the floors and rebuilt brakes and suspension, along with a new gas tank out back. Color-matched steel wheels wear gorgeous original wheel covers and G78-15 wide whitewall tires.So the last one was here about a week. Will this one last even that long? Why take a chance, call today!
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