Modified 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

1956 marked an important milestone for Chevrolet, representing the second year of the company’s modern small‑block V8 and the continued refinement of postwar styling that defined the Tri‑Five era. The Bel Air sat at the top of Chevrolet’s lineup, and well‑optioned examples like this one showcased some of the most advanced features available at the time, including factory air conditioning, power accessories, and upgraded performance options.

This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4‑Door Sedan is finished in two-tone Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige over a Copper and Beige interior, which was reportedly replaced with original-style upholstery in 2020. Power comes from a 265ci “Super Turbo‑Fire” small‑block V8 with an FD engine code signifying the factory-optioned Power Pack, plus air conditioning and a Powerglide automatic transmission.

The Power Pack added a four‑barrel carburetor, a unique intake manifold, and dual exhaust, giving the small‑block a noticeable bump in performance. 1956 was the only year Chevrolet painted its passenger‑car V8 engines red. This engine has been enhanced with period‑correct 327ci cylinder heads and a Carter WCFB four‑barrel carburetor reportedly sourced from a ‘57 Chevy, blending originality with subtle, period-correct upgrades.

This modified 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan is now offered at no reserve with factory literature, shop manuals, spare parts, and a clean Texas title in the seller’s name.

Highlights

• Powered by an "FD" Power Pack-stamped 265ci Super Turbo‑Fire V8

• Two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission

• Finished in two-tone Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige paint

• Copper and Beige reproduction interior

• Extensive factory options and original components retained

• Factory Power Pack-equipped example

Factory Equipment

• The trim tag decodes as:

  • 56‑1019D – 1956 Bel Air 2‑door Sport Coupe V8

  • K21578 – Kansas City assembly plant, Fisher Body sequence number

  • 617 – Copper & Beige (interior)

  • 700 – Adobe Beige and Sierra Gold (paint)

  • EZ – E‑Z‑Eye factory tinted glass

• Factory Frigidaire air conditioning

• Day/night inside rearview mirror

• Deluxe heater and defroster

• Electric windshield wipers

• Outside rearview mirror

• Pushbutton AM radio

• Reverse lights

• Padded dash

• Power Pack

Modifications

• Powertrain & Drivetrain:

  • 327ci cylinder heads

  • Carter WCFB four‑barrel carburetor

  • Aluminum radiator

  • Four‑blade cooling fan

  • 1957‑style vacuum tank upgrade

  • Oil bath air cleaner modified for paper filter

  • Late‑1955 Powerglide automatic transmission

• Suspension, Steering, & Brakes:

  • Manual steering conversion (power steering pump retained with internals removed)

  • Treadle‑Vac power brake hydraulic section upgraded to 1957 C3 design

  • Rear suspension lowered approximately 1”

• Interior & Convenience:

  • Two‑speed heater fan with auxiliary dash‑mounted control

  • Two‑speed replacement windshield wiper motor

  • Upgraded 35‑amp voltage regulator

  • Three replacement side windows

  • Rubber floor mats

Servicing

According to the seller, the following work and updates have been performed:

• Reproduction interior installed in 2020

• Rebuilt original starter (uninstalled)

Known Imperfections

• Back‑up lights function only when shifter is held firmly to the right

• Cosmetic paint imperfections consistent with older respray

• Original Frigidaire A/C and heater control panel inoperable

• Persistent rear rubbing noise audible at 30–40 mph

• Springs and shocks may benefit from attention

• Oil seepage suspected from rear main seal

• Tinted windows exhibit age‑related issues

• Original radio and clock are inoperable

• Fuel seepage at filler‑neck connection

• Transmission seepage

• Weak parking brake

Ownership History

The seller acquired this Bel Air in 2020 and has reportedly only driven approximately 1,000 miles during ownership. The car is believed to retain its original mileage, though no documentation is available to confirm.

Included

• Rear fender skirts

• Factory literature

• Shop manuals

• Rebuilt starter

• Spare radiator

• Spare tire

• Jack

Additional Information

From the seller: "This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air is powered by its original 265‑ci engine block (casting No. 3720991) with FD engine code, denoting the desirable Power Pack option. The Power Pack included a four‑barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, large oil‑bath air cleaner, .365‑inch lift camshaft, and 9.25:1 compression. The engine has been thoughtfully upgraded with 327‑ci cylinder heads dated to the 1962 model year.

Factory air conditioning is present, with several original components still intact, including the dash vents, control panel, evaporator, and pulley. A reproduction of the factory copper and beige interior was installed in 2020, while the exterior is finished in colors that closely match the original two‑tone Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige. When new, this Bel Air was fully loaded with the Power Pack, dual exhaust, automatic transmission, factory A/C, Deluxe Heater, power brakes and steering, electric windshield wipers, 30‑amp generator, E‑Z‑Eye tinted glass, padded dash, pushbutton radio, back‑up lights, outside mirror, and a day/night inside rearview mirror."