210 2-door post, 350, 700R4, 4-wheel disc, leather, A/C, tilt, gorgeous paint

The Tri-Five Chevys are as popular now as ever, ut you just don't see that many 1956s, o you? While we don't have a good explanation for that, e have to admit that they are arguably the most attractive of the bunch, ith restrained styling like the '55s but a more substantial look like the '57s. So whatever the reason for their relative scarcity, here's no denying that cars like this 1956 210 2-door sedan are handsome machines. And thanks to some modern upgrades under the skin, his awesome shoebox runs and drives more like a modern car and offers all the creature comforts to which you've become accustomed in the decades since 1956. Add in the gorgeous two-tone paint job and the perfect stance and you get a Chevy that is both timeless and modern, car you drive cross-country and show with equal confidence. Not many cars get to make that claim.

We'll admit that the cream-over-orange paint job is a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, ut we do ask that you give it a chance before making a decision, ecause it looks fantastic in person. Myself, really like the orange creamcicle look and thanks to the pros at Boitnott's Custom the finish is both classic and striking. The cream areas are non-metallic, o it looks straight out of the 1956 Chevrolet color charts, ut the orange areas offer a bit of metallic and a hint of pearl, o they simply glow when the sunlight hits the car just right. The contrast between the two is insanely appealing and gives this car the ability to fit in just about anywhere. The bodywork is extremely well done with super-straight sheetmetal that reflects beautifully and a deep shine that only comes from two-stage urethane paint that's been given a color sand and buff to really sparkle. Door fit is very good, articularly for a mid-50s Chevy, nd everything opens and closes without a heavy slam. All of the original trim was retained to give it a classic look and if you want to stand out, sing the 210 trim instead of the upscale Bel Air look will certainly do it. The chrome bumpers are in excellent condition without any dings or pitting, he stainless has all been polished to match, nd they took no liberties with the exterior look that worked so well in 1956.

The beautifully finished interior mirrors the exterior's intentions: stock with a twist. That's the original Chevy front seat, ow wrapped in lovely two-tone suede and glove-soft ultraleather, nd with period-looking stitching it doesn't seem out of place in the 1956's interior. Matching door panels mirror the factory design but use the modern materials for a consistent look, nd reproduction carpets offer an OEM texture. Matching floor mats were custom made and use tan ultraleather binding for a bit of an upscale twist, ut it all works so harmoniously that most folks never even think twice. The original steering wheel was painted to match the body and dashboard, nd is fitted to a tilt steering column that is such a neat fit that it blends into the background, s it should. The original instrument panel has been supplanted with a custom insert from Classic Instruments, nd includes all the engine's vitals in a trick white-faced format. There's also a new billet trim panel stretching across the center of the dash to brighten things up. You may also note the discreetly mounted A/C vents under the dash, hich are controlled by a Vintage Air system whose control panel is down low and mostly out of sight. And hidden inside the center glove box, ou'll not only find an AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo system but also additional A/C vents that help keep the interior comfortable all summer. That entertainment system uses speakers stashed throughout the interior, nd when combined with ample sound-deadening materials, t sounds better than anything should in a 60-year-old box. There's a bit of discoloration on the driver's door panel and seat, ut it is only noticeable in the right light, nd the back seat looks brand new. Other upgrades include tinted windows all around, Lokar floor-mounted shifter, nd a manual switch for the lockup torque converter in the 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The spacious trunk is likewise beautifully upholstered in matching materials, ith removable interior panels that hide the battery and stereo equipment.

The upgrades are familiar and make this Chevy a fantastic choice for cross-country cruises. You want reliability, ell, t's hard to beat a small block Chevy V8, n this case a 350 cubic inch unit rebuilt by the pros at Performance Engineering and ready to rumble. There's nothing radical here, ut thanks to a Weiand intake and new Demon 4-barrel carburetor, t starts easily, dles well even when cold, nd feels powerful around town. A lot of polished aluminum dress-up, ncluding the serpentine belt driven accessories and a billet air cleaner make it sparkle, nd you can tell that a lot of time was invested in the inner fenders and firewall to make it look neat. There's a big aluminum radiator up front, modern dual master cylinder with power assist for the 4-wheel disc brakes, nd power steering to make it easy to wheel around town. With just over 19,000 miles on the build, t does show a few signs of use that would be easy enough to erase if you want to start earning trophies, ut as it sits, t's a nicely maintained cruiser that will run all day at modern highway speeds without complaint.

Part of that cruising ability comes from a freshly installed 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, hich snaps down a gear or two for great acceleration but offers a tall overdrive gear that just loafs along at highway speeds. There's a brand new driveshaft feed a Ford 8-inch rear end with 3.73 gears inside, o it's punchy around town. Long-tube headers feed a custom Flowmaster exhaust system that sounds fantastic and uses polished tips under the rear bumper for effect. The underside isn't detailed for show, ut uses tried-and-true parts to ensure comfort and reliability. There are one or two modest floor patches, s you'd expect from any ancient automobile, ut this was never a rust bucket that needed major surgery and all of the mechanicals are in excellent condition and fully functional. Staggered Boyd Coddington wheels make a dramatic statement and carry fresh 225/40/18 front and 255/35/20 rear performance radials.

This car would be impossible to duplicate for the asking price and in return you get a fully sorted runner with rock star looks and a sumptuous interior. Sure, here are plenty of them that are cheaper, ut compare the interior, he hardware, nd the finish quality, nd you'll quickly figure out that you really do get what you pay for in Tri-Five Chevrolets. Call today!