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Restored 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan

This is a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan in Imperial Ivory and Inca Silver, with Charcoal cloth and Ivory vinyl upholstered complemented by silver and chrome elsewhere in the interior – colours are decoded from the trim tag, which appears in our gallery.  The car has been used only for cruise nights and car shows while in the custodianship of the current owner, who has maintained it comprehensively in his eight years with the car.  He relays that it retains its original 265 cubic-inch V8 engine and its original two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.  Ontario buyers, please note:  this ’56 Chevy comes with an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate.  As shown in the VIN decoding toward the end of this listing, this Bel Air is authenticated and not a tribute from a 150 or a 210.

The 1955 through 1957 Chevrolets were knows as “Tri-Five” Chevys.  This pillarless four-door was new for the 1956 model year and it has been kept original for the most part.  Notable updates relate to both drivability and modernization.  On the mechanical side, the front brakes have been converted to a power disc set-up while two aftermarket gauges have been installed below the dash, a volt meter and an oil pressure gauge.  On the creature comforts side, the original AM tube radio has been converted to an AM/FM solid state unit, maintaining the original look with AM readings in dominant font, FM readings much smaller.  Also, the clock under a Bel Air emblem on the passenger’s side has been replaced by an analog quartz item.  Seller notes that the radio pre-set buttons are known to rattle at times, adding that the manufacturer offers a kit to address this.

The taillights for the 1956 Bel Air are specific to this model year only.  The fuel filler door is hidden behind the driver’s side taillight assembly, hinged at the base.  A dual exhaust set-up with chrome exits is in place, another update from stock.

The interior features patterned black seats with white borders, decorative buttons and silver piping.  The black dashboard remains intact and a set of four Bel Air floor mats with proper font is in place at all four corners.  The mats are two-tone black and white as are all four door cards, for a consistent theme through the interior.  The odometer reads under 40,000 miles, though true mileage is unknown.  The seller has assembled an owner’s manual from online research, included in the sale.  See it in our photo gallery.

The powerplant of this 1956 Chevy remains the original 265 cubic-inch V8, still twinned to the original two-speed Powerglide transmission.  This combination drives the rear wheels.  An advancement at the time, Chevrolet converted from a 6-volt to a 12-volt electrical system with the 1955 models so this car runs a 12-volt alternator.  The most recent maintenance was an oil change and chassis lubrication just before the Ontario safety check was secured.  Other recent maintenance includes a new starter in 2022, new hangers for the exhaust system in 2020 and a four-barrel carburetor rebuild in 2019.  Installed in 2018, the Dunlop SP SP40 A/S white wall tires measure 215/75R15 and are complemented by a matching set of Chevrolet wheel covers.  The owner estimates the tires have been driven approximately 3,000 miles.

The owner is including many miscellaneous parts with the sale.  An incomplete list is comprised of:  a matching set of fender skirts, rear brake shoes, 6 spare hubcaps, 2 spare wheels, mirrors, door handles and many small miscellaneous parts.

This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan comes with two sets of keys, service records for work performed under current ownership, spare parts as listed, a reproduction owner’s manual and two sets of keys from the owner in Haliburton, Ontario.

This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan VIN, VC56N125137, decodes as follows:
V – V8 engine
C – 2400 Series, Bel Air model
56 – 1956 model year
N – assembled at Norwood, Ohio plant
125137 – serial number

This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan Trim Tag decodes as follows:
Style No. – 56 for 1956 model year;
1039 – 210 and Bel Air 4-Door Hardtop;
Body No. – N for the Norwood, OH plant;
7406 for plant sequence number;
Trim – 579 for Charcoal Cloth/Ivory Vinyl;
Paint – 757 for Imperial Ivory and Inca Silver; and 
Acc. – EZ for tinted glass, CP for padded dash

More videos and Photo Gallery appear below. 

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