Purchased new in 1956 at Scott Motor Company in Washington, Pennsylvania, it has remained with the same family ever since.
29,430 original miles. One family ownership from new. Attractive color combination and beautifully preserved interior. Smooth-running 265 cubic inch V8 with automatic transmission. Recently serviced and ready to enjoy!
Survivors are a booming segment of the hobby, but what is a survivor? It can’t be a car that has simply managed to continue existing—it has to be something that has always ben loved. That’s this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door sedan. Purchased new in 1956 at Scott Motor Company in Washington, Pennsylvania, it has remained with the same family ever since. Given the mileage (29,430), it has always been treated as something special and its condition suggests that it was only used for daily driving for a few years early in its life. The two-tone code 717 Crocus Yellow over Laurel Green is an attractive ‘50s combination that works well on the stylish Bel Air and while it shows a few signs of age, we wouldn’t change a thing. We gave it a light buff to bring up a soft shine, but didn’t want to risk cutting through the thin factory enamel with anything aggressive. As a result, it has a wonderful look that is better than the “patina” all the rusty beaters claim to have. The doors fit nicely and close with a reassuring THUNK instead of a hollow whap and both the hood and deck lid snap closed without a heavy slam. All the stainless and chrome trim is original as well, and it shines up nicely with a consistent look that fits the car. Sure, there are a few blemishes and signs of age, but when you talk quality survivors, this is how they should look.
The spectacular code 578 Charcoal and Yellow cloth and vinyl interior remains almost entirely original and it’s in fantastic shape. The textured fabric on the seating surfaces is all-day comfortable without getting sticky or sweaty and the door panels echo the dramatic trim on the exterior. The instrument panel is in excellent shape with all the gauges and lights working correctly, although the clock and radio are sadly off line (no surprise there). We believe even the carpets are original, although they’re almost too nice to be nearly 70 years old. The windows crank up and down easily, the steering wheel isn’t cracked (and more importantly, the horn ring is intact), and the headliner overhead is in excellent shape. There’s an intangible feel of quality to a low-mileage original car and you’ll recognize it the moment you slide behind the wheel and slam the door. The trunk is correctly finished with a rubber mat with no signs of trouble underneath, and it includes a full-sized spare tire assembly.
The engine is the mid-range 265 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and single exhaust. It isn’t a tire-shredder, but it’s smooth, torquey, and confident, starting easily and idling with a surprisingly sophisticated hum from up front. The engine has been detailed and painted at some point with the Chevy Orange finish really popping in the satin black engine bay. It’s still spinning a generator, but recent work includes a rebuilt fuel pump and carburetor, restored gas tank, and water pump so it’s ready to enjoy. It drives through a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission and what feel like 3.55 gears out back, so it’s perfectly happy at today’s highway speeds. Look carefully and you’ll find solid floors and rockers, newer shocks (air shocks in back), and no major issues beyond some surface scale on the frame itself. Even the spare tire well is completely solid—nice! Factory steel wheels are painted Laurel Green and outfitted with full wheel covers and a set of 6.70-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whites of indeterminate age.
Documentation is extensive, including paperwork from the original selling dealership, owner’s manuals, and more.
The best sruvivors are those that have always been loved, and this beautiful Bel Air certainly qualifies. Enjoyed but never abused, it has that handsome look that only time can create. Better yet, nothing drives better than an original car that has been properly maintained and never blown apart for restoration. After all, who’s better at putting one of these together than the factory? Call today!
Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
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