1956 Chevrolet 210

Description

Great rods that are also affordable are getting hard to find. Sure, you could always find someone else's unfinished project or buy something that needs significant re-work, or you could simply buy this two-tone 1956 Chevy 210 that has a traditional look and plenty of performance and cut straight to the driving part.

A lot of shoebox Chevy fans prefer the '56 models with their clean, almost understated styling, and with all its original trim intact, this handsome 210 2-door sedan makes an excellent choice for this summer's cruise night cruiser. The white-over-purple combination isn't quite what the factory would have specified, but it follows the original recipe for the split, giving it a great 1950s look with a bit of a twist. Finish quality is quite good, and keeping all the stock sheetmetal intact means that the beautiful work of the restrained '56 Chevrolet stylists is still on display. The high-gloss paint is certain to draw admirers from across the show field and once it was all buffed and polished, all the factory trim was reinstalled. The 210 is a little less flashy than the Bel Air, and with just a single strip of chrome running form nose tail, but nobody can argue that this isn't a great-looking car. Chevrolet script on the quarter panel, those delightfully intricate taillight housings, and wrap around glass are all factory elements that made the transition completely intact.

Tastefully updated, the tan interior works on a number of levels. Most noticeable are the late-model buckets with lots of adjustment, so it's easy to get comfortable in this vintage Chevy. You'll note that they went to extra lengths to get all the upholstery just right, from the matching back seat to the door panels which use the original garnish moldings and hardware. The factory instrument panel is still one of the best-looking designs of the period and it keeps its bright trim strip and twin cockpit design, while adding such upgrades as a set of Stewart-Warner gauges underneath and a Sony AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit in the center. The 3-spoke steering wheel looks right and frames the gauges perfectly and having a Hurst cue ball atop your 4-speed is never a mistake. There's plenty of room in the trunk, which carries a matching Cragar wheel and tire assembly plus a jack.

The powerplant is what you'd expect, and if you want reliable power, it's hard to beat a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8. The formula was perfected decades ago, leaving you to the business of hitting the road and having fun with the confidence that when you turn the key, it will spring to life. A Holley double-pumper and a Street Dominator intake manifold make impressive torque and it has an old-school hot rod look thanks to the chrome valve covers and painted engine block. The electrical system features a powerful Optima battery and with power front disc brakes, it's safe and confident on the road. The aforementioned 4-speed gearbox feeds what appears to be the original rear end and it exhales through a set of ceramic-coated long-tube headers and Flowmaster mufflers with chrome tips. Classic Cragar mags complete the old-school look and carry 245/60/15 Goodyear radials.

There's something to be said for simplicity and not reinventing the wheel, and at this price, you can have one heck of a nice rod to enjoy this summer without breaking the bank. Call today!