1956 Chevrolet BelAir

The owner of this sharp-looking 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door sedan purchased it in 2009. Soon afterward, he began a complete frame-off restoration that transformed it into its present condition as a multiple award-winning showpiece that draws straight from the factory for its pronounced hot rod vibe. When decked in this car’s full optional stainless trim, the ’56 Bel Air benefits most from one of several two-tone paint schemes offered by Chevrolet, in this case a bright combination of Code 792D Laurel Green and Crocus Yellow. That’s matched with interior trim Code 578 Black and Yellow. The snappy exterior treatment gives way to a more Spartan approach inside, where occupants are transported to the Good Old Days with such features as full tinted glass, heater delete, a cigarette lighter and front and rear passenger ashtrays, dash-mounted traffic light viewer, remote side mirror and Red emergency brake indicator light, the last two items from the NOS parts bin. Another blast from the past is found under the hood in the form of a built FG-suffix 1956 Corvette small block V-8 engine displacing 307 CI, whose dual-quad carburetors were restored by noted Chevrolet expert Chuck Smith of Valley Center, California. The finished powerplant uses an original-style generator/power steering unit; it is equipped with a stainless steel dual exhaust system and backed by a new 2-speed Powerglide automatic. This impressive restoration has been rewarded with numerous first place and best-in-show awards, as well as earning Second Place in the Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance and Third Place in the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance.