Good Evening, I'm looking at a 1956 2 door chevy wagon for purchase. How can I tell what model I'm looking at? I'm told its a 210 Handyman wagon. Thanks for any direction and help.
They all had different side chrome. The more expensive the more chrome. It was shaped different too. Do a web search, I think there were 4 models, 150 210 BelAir and Nomad. Once you see them you will know at a glance.
All Nomads are Bel-Airs. The 4 dr Bel-Air wagon was the Beauville. Here's a 210 Handyman http://www.collectorcarads.com/Picture5/120703e.jpg Here's a 150 Handyman http://www.americandreamcars.com/1956chevy2drwagon121405.jpg For comparison, here is the Bel-Air Beauville 4 dr wagon http://www.carnut.com/show/03/skat/kat173.jpg And a Nomad (mine) http://image.popularhotrodding.com/...0+h338+cr0+re1+ar1/1956-chevrolet-nomad-3.jpg
Vin number would b a B either 1 letter, or VB, if it were a V8, 210....Handyman is a 2 door.....STRIPO, A is a 150, and C, is a Bel-air....bodies other than Nomad Firewall back, are the same.....
look at the cowl tag, it should say STYLE 56-**** where the **** is a 4 digit body style number. http://www.bestintexas.com/cars/56codes.htm 1063F is a 210 handyman
Right and the only other 2-door was the 150 with very little stainless. The 210 had stainless around the side windows and more along each side. Then there was the Nomad also called the Bel Air Nomad by some. They have the raised ribs on the rear section of the roof, hard top type door windows, stainless ribs on the more slanted tailgate and a totally different look to the lift gate.
Just look at the door post. If it's straight up/down, it's a handyman. Nomads were forward-leaning. That's what I've always done. Maybe I'm wrong?
Well I got her home, Over all pretty good shape, needs some floor repair, but the quarters are very nice.
Be sure to post the trim tag numbers (there on the cowl, right side). Doe's that Wagon have a dash pad? and can we get a closeup on that core support.
Sorry, I thought the OP was asking if its a nomad or handyman.... After reading it again I see you're just asking what trim package. Looks like a 210 to me. Cool wagon! I dig wagons.
I don't wish to alarm you, but if that is a true 210 wagon, then the VIN should start with either VB56... (v8) or B56... (I6). If it were a 150 wagon with 210 trim, the VIN would be VA56... (v8) or A56... (I6). A VC56... is for a v8 Belair. The only Belair 2dr wagon is the Nomad, and (sorry) that is not a Nomad. I suggest you look carefully at your VIN tag to see if it has been tampered with. Scott/Gotta56forme
1badbaker, I can think of one other way that could be a VC56, but seems like a longshot... If that were a Belair 4dr wagon that someone converted to a 2dr wagon. I don't know what the history of that car is, but if it still has it's original frame, the VIN is stamped twice on the frame (almost side by side), on the top of the frame rail, basically underneath the driver's seat. Very hard to see when the body is off the car, let alone trying to verify it with the body on the car. If the body still has it's original cowl tag, then the style number should be 1063F for a 210 Handyman wagon; or 1263F for a 150 Handyman wagon. Sorry, it wasn't my intention to rain on your (new to you car) parade... Scott/Gotta56forme
Thanks for all the great feed back, here's a picture of the cowl tag. The body number is 1063F. Looks like I have a little more diggin to do.
1bb, Those appear to be the original rivets on the cowl tag, so the tag is likely original to the car. How is the VIN tag mounted? One that is original to a car should still have factory spot welds on it. Scott/Gotta56forme
Nice lookin 1956 210 Chevy handyman wagon. Don't believe we mentioned but on a Nomad the windshield and door windows are different. The headlights have a stainless brow with a stainless spear swept back from them. Rear side view is slanted forward at top with a different type lift gate. Plus the normal Nomad differences. Since the 210 2-doors were used and abused, raced and hotrodded, there are less of them than Nomads left.
I see it has AC on it. That's why I wanted to see the core support a lil better. I can't tell if someone added forward mounting off some sort of if it's the factory condenser mounting. Interesting wagon you have there. Hold the presses!, is that AC or ACC?. I can't make it out.
Nomads used same windshields as hardtops and convertibles. Only the '55 Nomads had a headlight brow and corresponding fender and door spears, which were cast, not stainless. They are very hard to find and very expensive when a set comes up for sale. '56 Nomads had regular Bel-Air trim. Nomad tailgate bars were also cast, not stainless, and the ribs in the roof were recessed, not raised.
You are correct. I am usually trying to explain why my 55 handyman wagon is not a Nomad. Just why were those roof ribs there anyway? And what was the original name to be for the first Nomads ?
http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/1954_Chevrolet_Corvette_Nomad_Concept Yeah, and people tell me all the time my Nomad is NOT a Nomad because it says Bel-Air right there on the side! Another link http://www.corvettes.nl/gm_prototypes/nomad/index.html
Interesting... I'm trying to remember if on a sedan, is the VIN tag is in on the door section of the cowl, or on the windshield pillar of the cowl? Whichever, does any part of that metal look like it's ever been replaced on your car? Also in regards to the spot welds, however the factory did them, there is just the slightest indication of the spot weld visible. If the spots on yours are ugly/noticeable that could be evidence of someone attaching a VIN tag. Here is the photo example of a tri-five vin tag from a '57 chev I found on the web Scott/Gotta56forme
Nomads are also hard tops. And they made a windowed delivery. It has a "barn door" on the back instead of the tailgate. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Sedan's or post models it's in the A-Pillar portion of the jamb and Hard Tops it's in the door jamb by the dome light switch.
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