1956 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210

Convertible

N/A

VC56K 114020

Clear

Found preserved in the high desert, the real thing -- a solid and rolling 1956 Chevy BelAir Convertible with a trunk and interior filled with original parts. The 265 CI engine and three speed transmission are gone, but here is a prime example of a BelAir restorer's dream -- a scarce and authentic 56 droptop with very minimal rust and enough factory trim and components to put this car back together. As many who rebuild this vintage of Chevy have proven, the factory engine and transmission are eminently replaceable for something more powerful, but if originality is your goal, a period correct 265 V8 and three speed manual transmission are available from us. Just as it stands, this BelAir still shows off the tight, strong lines that made it a smash sales hit in 1956, when Chevrolet's newly restyled V8 sport convertible was launched with the slogan "Hot is even hotter". Discovered in the dusty shadows of an outbuilding in Eastern Washington, this BelAir appears to have not been on the road since 1969, when, according to the title, the registration fee at Motor Vehicles in American Falls, Idaho was $1.50. The sheltered, dry climate was very good to this Chevy, in all these years rust never had a real shot at it. The photos tell the story -- mostly solid floors (some small perforations), solid trunk (even the spare tire well), doors, solid firewall, inner fenders, frame, suspension, both rear quarters, and most remarkably, the convertible top well is not corroded. What other rust there is, is limited to a few square inches of the rocker panels on each side (see photo). It would be hard to find a more rust-free project BelAir convertible from the mid-fifties on which to begin a showroom-quality restoration. Outfitted at the factory with the 265 and column three speed, judging by the cut in the trans tunnel, this BelAir, like so many others, was later converted a four-speed on the floor. At some later point, it was converted again, to a column-shift automatic. For an American car of this era, or any other, really, this Chevy is a relative lightweight at 3300 lbs. Whatever motive power you choose, this convertible will never be a slow car. The VIN tag on the A pillar is VC56K114020. It matches the VIN on the title and documents that we have an original 1956 BelAir V8 manufactured at the Kansas City plant. Production figures say 41,268 1956 convertibles were built. We discovered that the body tag on the cowl was not original, it was replaced at some point with a tag from a 1958 convertible and can't be used for build documentation. This convertible is a power roof car. It looks like the interior was Chevy's Red/Ivory imitation leather. Paint was... what? Many colors to choose from here, it's your guess. Check the photo with the all the parts on the lawn. A large variety of trim, dash, seat, and mechanical pieces, some in duplicate, (we saw an upgraded "BelAir" dash piece with a clock in it) and probably mostly belonging to this car or this year and model of car. With a replacement engine and transmission, we believe this Chevy comes with enough parts to largely resurrect it. We're opening the bidding at $12,000, and expect this amazing BelAir Barn Find will soon find its next home -- a garage where this winter it will begin to come back to life.