Why are there so few 1956 Chevys on the market compared to their 1955 and 1957 siblings? This 1956 Bel Air hardtop makes a compelling argument for the beauty of the middle child in the Tri-Five lineup offering a wonderful period color scheme V8 power and a quality restoration that's only a few steps removed from the show field.The trim tag says this car was originally white over blue but we much prefer the sophisticated India Ivory over taupe metallic finish on the car today. It's not directly from the Chevrolet color books but it does have a proper 1950s look about it and the unusual combination will most certainly stand out at a show. Only the experts will know for sure and I bet they'll love it too! Finish quality is superb and the '56 Chevys in particular don't leave much room for misaligned panels or wavy bodywork so they worked overtime to get everything super straight before it was painted. Modern paints offer a superior shine and durability but the overall look is very vintage which speaks volumes about both the quality and the color selection. And as with any '50s car the bright trim makes the car sparkle with nicely polished Bel Air stainless exceptionally nice chrome and those remarkable taillights that are little works of art all by themselves.The sumptuous interior has the same kind of Chevrolet sensibility with an upscale flair. The seats and door panels are stitched like the originals with light-colored fabric and vinyl with silver piping creating a very authentic look. A few body-colored details like the steering wheel and dash add contrast and the dark brown carpets certainly help. It's in first-rate condition with very few signs of use. The steering wheel is one of the more attractive designs of the aircraft-inspired 1950s and the gauges look great inside their rounded panel. The factory AM radio is right above a fairly spacious glove compartment in the center of the dash which seems like the best place for such a thing. The trunk is correctly finished with a reproduction rubber mat and a full-sized spare with jack assembly.The engine is a 283 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor which is plenty for spirited performance around town and effortless cruising on the highway. It decodes as a slightly later block but it looks right in the beautifully detailed engine bay. The big air cleaner and Chevy Orange paint are a familiar sight and useful upgrades such as a modern alternator help make it a reliable partner for road trips. Ram's horn exhaust manifolds control noise and heat better than headers and look right too yet still allow a pleasing V8 burble from the new dual exhaust system. The original PowerGlide was dumped in favor of a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission which spins the original rear end so the car's just a joy to drive in town or on the highway. Correct red oxide primer on the floors provides a wonderful background for the detailed frame components and thanks to a frame-off restoration everything is new or rebuilt. Stock steel wheels wear handsome factory wheel covers and a set of 6.70-15 BFGoodrich wide whitewall tires.Pretty reliable and comfortable this Bel Air captures the best of what an old car can be. If you like the look you're going to love how it feels from behind the wheel. Call today!