This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible is powered by a 283ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The second owner of the vehicle reportedly acquired it in 1966 and commissioned a refurbishment that was completed in 2011, shortly after which the car was purchased by the current owner. Refurbishment work is said to have included exterior and interior color changes, an engine rebuild, and the additions of power steering, electronic ignition, front disc brakes, and 20″ wheels. Maintenance performed within the past year included replacements of the clutch, driveshaft, and battery as well as fluid changes, servicing of the convertible top, and updates to the ignition system. This Bel Air is offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner with service records since 2019 and a clean Wisconsin title.
The body was originally Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige (700) according to the cowl tag, and it was repainted with a color change in its current two-tone red and white during the refurbishment according to the seller, who notes the frame was finished separately. The convertible-top cylinder rams were replaced in preparation for the sale.
Staggered-width American Racing wheels measure 20″ and wear Nitto tires in sizes 245/35 up front and 275/35 at the rear. Close-up images of the wheels are provided in the gallery below. Braking is handled by Wilwood front discs and rear drums, and the car is equipped with power steering.
Trimmed from the factory in Copper and Beige (621), the interior now features replacement red and white upholstery and door panels. Roll-up windows are said to be equipped with rebuilt regulators, and further additions include a Hurst shifter mated to replacement linkage and a billet multi-spoke steering wheel.
The red-painted dashboard features brushed-aluminum trim, and sweeping instrumentation includes a speedometer along with coolant-temperature and fuel-level gauges. The five-digit odometer displays approximately 80k miles, with actual mileage unknown. Approximately 500 miles have been added during current ownership.
The 283ci V8 was reportedly rebuilt under prior ownership and is said to have been updated with a high-performance camshaft, an aluminum radiator, and an electronic ignition. Servicing completed within the past year included replacement of the driveshaft fitted with a Corvette yoke, fluid changes, and replacements of the fuel tank, battery, ignition switch, and wiring. Service records since 2019 are viewable in the photo gallery.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission that was recently serviced with a new clutch, resurfaced flywheel, and mounts. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery below.
A narrated in-car driving demonstration is presented in the video above, and additional videos are featured below.
