Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a great example of this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 Door Hardtop in its original 'India Ivory over Nassau Blue' (color code 707) on a very straight body and with its original and matching 'Blue' (trim code 581) interior with a 350 V8 engine with power brakes which was recently acquired from its long term southern California owner.
The car had a body off restoration some 8 years ago and the replacement 350 c. i. V8 engine was fully rebuilt with new bushings, wiring system, painted frame, 350 turbo transmission, electric ignition, 4 Barrel Edelbrock carb, new correct color factory paint and interior, White Wall Coker tires, power front disc brakes.
The car has some 1700 miles on it since the rebuild and was owned by the same southern California family since 1956 from whom we recently purchased the car! Always garaged, purchased by the sellers parents in Merced, CA from 'John Roth Chevrolet' in 1956 and never in an accident, all original bumpers which have been rechromed, side moldings and original hubcaps and wheels.
One of the USA's most recognized classic cars ever, the top-of-the-line Bel Air series, introduced for the 1953 model year, replaced the Styleline DeLuxe series. It was to become the most desirable Chevrolet model of the 1950's, offering a balance of style and luxury appointments unavailable in the base 150 & 210 series and offered in a wide range of body styles, including a convertible, Sport Coupe hardtop, two- and four-door sedans and four-door station wagons.
As the American public began to prefer posh to economy, the Bel Air began to outsell the lesser series, including both 150 and 210 models. As a partial answer to this, Chevrolet re-introduced the Two-Ten Sport Coupe hardtop in the middle of the 1955 model year, and also added a four-door Two-Ten hardtop Sport Sedan for 1956. Neither achieved the sales of their Bel Air counterparts, however, even though they were only about $100 cheaper than the Bel Airs, which provided some more luxury and premium exterior trim. Today, the Bel Air series of Chevrolets from 1953 to 1957 are considered the most desirable models for collectors and well maintained and preserved models such as this particular example have the ultimate appeal. Indeed there's no better example of GM's styling and engineering prowess in the fifties than these Chevrolet's.
The Chevrolet Bel Air was introduced as a sporting 2 door Hardtop Coupe powered by a 6 cylinder engine and using a smooth Powerglide transmission. The Bel Air range was expanded in 1953 to sedans and a very desirable convertible and by 1954, a station wagon, the Nomad was added to the range of models. By 1955 a comprehensive restyling arrived at its definitive classic shape and the Bel Air was the flagship model of the entire Chevrolet division.
This particular 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 Door Hardtop example is a very fine surviving example with one repaint in its original factory color and with no rust and its original 265 V8 engine - a wonderful example of America's favorite 1950's classic car and a wonderful driver for any American classic car enthusiast!
