1956 Chevrolet 210 Post

Description

There are times when you just don't need to reinvent the wheel. Take this 1956 Chevrolet 210 for example: do you really think you can make it look better than this? Period-perfect colors, a great stance, reliable horsepower, and plenty of 1950s style make this a blueprint for the right way to build a Shoebox.

You probably can't paint anything but a 1950s car turquoise, and in particular the '56 Chevys with their wonderful two-tone look are ideal for having some fun. This is a 210, so it's not over-dressed, and for guys who appreciate performance, the 2-door post coupe is the one to own. There's plenty of effort tied up in the clean, straight bodywork, so it shows off that pastel paint quite well and you'll be proud to be the guy climbing out of the driver's seat at a show. As I said, trying to beat the original stylists at their own game is usually a futile effort, so the guys who restored this car focused instead on getting all the details right, including the brilliant chrome trim, massive bumpers, and polished stainless pieces along the flanks. The '56 Chevy taillights are miniature pieces of art, so intricate that you'd almost swear they were some kind of modern aftermarket invention, but that's what I'm talking about: it just doesn't get better than this.

A custom cloth interior was stitched up to contrast nicely with the bodywork and offers a more subdued look than the original. They kept the original bench seats, wrapping them in soft fabric that's comfortable and definitely not sweaty when you're out cruising. Matching door panels capture a bit of the 1950s charm and the original dash is highlighted by very neatly integrated vents for the A/C system. There's also a lovely rosewood steering wheel on a late-model GM tilt column as well as modern AM/FM/CD stereo sounds for cruising. The factory instrument panel looks so good it would be a crime to alter it, so they added vintage-looking Stewart-Warner auxiliary gauges underneath. Workmanship is quite good and you always know you're dealing with a perfectionist when even the clock works. By today's standards, the trunk is simply massive, and is upholstered in gray carpets and includes a spare with its own matching cover.

Bright orange paint means that there's a small block Chevy under the hood, with this one displacing 350 cubic inches and inhaling through a big Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and intake manifold. Finned aluminum valve covers and a matching air cleaner offer a retro look, while the chrome alternator brightens things up. All the modern accoutrements are here, including power front disc brakes with a dual master cylinder for safety, power steering, and a brand new Optima battery to crank it over. Long-tube headers build torque and sound great, especially with the rather tame dual exhaust system that keeps it from being obnoxious on long highway drives. A 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive helps a great deal, too, making this an effortless cruiser that pulls down decent fuel economy even with the A/C cranking. The original rear end hangs out back, and the underside has been painted black for a low profile but isn't detailed for show. Polished Torque Thrust wheels are period accessories and wear modern 245/60/15 radials that fill the wheel wells.

So don't try to do it better yourself, buy a car that gets it right and start cruising immediately. Call now!