I seen the 1956 Chevy pictured below for sale in the back of a magazine and contacted the seller. The car was built and shown in the sixties and stored when the builder got married. The engine and trans has been removed and doesn't go with the sale. I was told the car has been stored inside and although the paint is peeling the car is rust free. What do you think it is worth? Not that it should matter but the car is located on the east coast. The seller is asking 15K
That seems high but a few months ago I seen an unrestored & rough '55 Chevy hardtop needing a complete resto sell for $14,500 at a small town public auction! Tri-5 prices are getting crazy, 15 may not be out of line anymore.
Car seems slightly confused one part custom (taillignts, interior) another part Gasser (straight axle, hood scoops) and all show car. I'd want it if I could afford it, but I would make it all match as a decked out gasser like the Swindler A Stone Woods, and Cook Willys.
For a 56 hard top? Hell yeah, that sounds like a good price. Nevermind that it's so unique with a killer interior.
Nothing wrong with it that money and time won't cure. It is a little confused right now but I suspect it wouldn't be too big a job to head it any direction you desired. Around here the big question would be RUST? If there was none the price isn't out of line. If it's a plastic car with a steel liner (rust bucket) look elsewhere. Frank
The wierd part is that the straight axle mixed with mild customizing was pretty common on "show cars" back in the late 60s.
The original idea of a custom was well underway when the owner got a ride home in his buddy's 2 AFB equipped 301 4 speed '56 Del Ray one day ... things were never the same after that.
Tri fives are hot again- $15K for something that appears to be fairly OK is a good starting point. Youll probably need a lot of sheet metal- most rot out now a dayw in the rocker panel area(We have a 56 Chevy ). The stance in sort of nasty though- hope you'll decide to making it a bit more upto date while keeping the cool factor.Looks like it isnt selling either- the pics you show were taken a month apart according to the date at the bottom..Hmmmmm- the interior looks like it sin decent shape too -maybe just a good cleaning and the pics of the dash look clean too. The center console looks like its seen better days and came out of some rat pack muscle car too- looks like the guy was starting a custom and didnt know what to do so he bought the oarts that would put the thing together instead of making it look good at the same time. We probably have parts too- but you will have to pry them away from Lenny- he wants to just keep them around 'in case',,,LOL WE on the East Coast in Boston- if its near us we'd be glad to look at it for ya and maybe take some more pics. Let me know.Its a decent price if its in decent shape-running or not.
I think its killer. If it truly is rust free and don't need floors/braces and rockers like most of em' its a damn good starting point. Somebody spent a barrel of money on that interior and metal flake paint back in the day. If somebody restores it back to its former glory without changin' it too much its gonna be one cool lookin gasser. Even if its a little hokey lookin with the buick tailights, it is unusual.
I would think for 15K that you would at least get somekind of driveline! Sucks,that they won't cough up the original. Too rich for my blood,but whadda I know,I'm still puttin floors,braces,and rockers on my 57...
Much as I hate to say it, I'd grab it if i could. The interior is worth decent $ as is and I love the bar grille. Damn. Back in '72 I was offered a cherry turquoise/white granny-mobile with fresh straight axel and fresh 327 4-speed for $2000. That was like $25,000 today. Grab this thing if you can.
I think it went the same way my dad's 51 gasser did. It started life as a show car and when the show car scene got to crazy and racing got popular, it was converted to the drag look.. all the show stuff was kept and more was added (like the chrome front susp). the car has some neat stuff.. to me $15k is to much for it with no motor or tranny. $10k max and to me more like $8000...
Exactly, check out some of the old magazines or photos of these show cars from the mid-to-late 60's. Plenty of drag looking machines with elements of customizing. The best era for any type of car in my opinion. I love the interior on the car, and I actually do like the Buick tail-light treatment. The hood, wheels all fit the bill perfectly. I would go for it.
Boo-hoo, it needs a $500 small block Chevy and transmission. Some of you guys whine like 10yr old skint knee little girls. It's worth every dime of $15k if it's rust free. I really dig the custom tail lights, interior, tube grille, and hood. It's what happened to the cars on the show scene in '62 when the owners got bored in '65. That headliner is awesome! You don't see a lot of 2dr HTs for sale anymore, especially ones with character.
After discussing this car with my other half, I am going to pass on it. If any of you are interested here is the contact information-Tad Fred Bear Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina 252-480-5424 http://www.nitrogeezers.com/S &S Team.htm