1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten

Chevrolet's succession of popular models throughout its long history has continued to form the backbone of modern classic-car culture, and the Tri-Five Chevrolets of 1955 through 1957 had an enormous and lasting effect on the American automobile industry. The handsomely designed 'Shoebox' models peaked in regards to flamboyancy in 1957 with towering tailfins and generous amounts of chrome trim, while the 1956 Chevys were more restrained.

The Chevy 210 line was situated between the entry-level 150 and upscale Bel Air, and was available with the most body styles, trim options, engine and transmission combinations, and color combinations. It could be ordered with every power amenity available from the Bowtie brand, or none, depending on customer preferences. Performance fans liked the 210 for the potentially lightweight body and powerful engine and transmission combinations. Thrifty customers adored the 210 because of its minimalistic potential. In spite of the flexibility of the 210, by 1956, sales of the Bel Air were beginning to outpace the lesser-priced models, thanks to close pricing and an abundance of extra luxury and styling features inherent to Bel Air. Production of the Two-Ten, introduced in 1953, would come to an end in 1957 and replaced by the Biscayne.

In addition to their increased handling and performance improvements, several new safety features, including 'crash proof' door locks, a padded dash, and optional seatbelts were welcome improvements.

While the One-Fifty was offered in four body styles with prices that ranged from $1,735 to $2,170 (with six-cylinder power), the Two-Ten had eight body styles with prices that ranged from $1,210 to $2,350 (with six-cylinder power). The Bel Air was offered seven body styles including the Nomad, convertible, and a 9-passenger station wagon with prices that ranged from $2,070 to $2,600 (six-cyl.). All 1956 Chevrolet passenger car models rested on a 115-inch wheelbase with a 197.5-inch length for the passenger cars and 200.8 inches for the station wagons.

The six-cylinder engine had overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, a one-barre carburetor, four main bearings, and delivered 140 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The base V8 was a 265 CID unit with hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 162 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission with column-mounted controls was standard, and overdrive was available on the manual transmission for an additional US$108. Optional transmissions included a Powerglide two-speed automatic for an additional US$189. Additional options included a four-barrel 'Super Turbo-Fire' V8 with 9.25:1 compression and 205 hp, and a 225 horsepower dual four-barrel carburetor V8. Power steering, power brakes, power windows, eleven-inch diameter heavy-duty clutch, toolkit, compass, courtesy lights, door handle shields, dual electric wipers, plastic windshield glare shield, and outside sun visor were among the extensive list of available options. Standard equipment included two sunshades (a.k.a. visors), nicer interior trim than the One-Fifty with a two-spoke steering wheel with horn ring, and ashtrays and cigarette lighters. Small hubcaps were standard, and custom-colored upholstery was optional.

The Two-Ten two-door sedan had a base price of $1,910, and the sedan at $1,955. The two-door hardtop was priced at $2,065 and the four-door version at $2,115. The four-door pillarless hardtop was a new body style for 1956 and was called the Sport Sedan. The Del Ray coupe listed for $1,970 and outfitted with deep-pile carpets and all-vinyl upholstery. The two-door station wagon was priced at $2,215, the four-door wagon at $2,260, and the nine-passenger, four-door wagon at $2,350. The eight-cylinder engine added approximately $100 to the base price.

The most popular Two-Ten body style was the four-door sedan with 283,125 examples built, followed by 205,545 of the two-door sedan, 113,656 of the four-door, six-passenger wagon, 56,382 of the coupe, 22,038 of the two-door wagon, 20,021 of the four-door hardtop, and 18,616 of the two-door hardtop. The Two-Ten body style with the least sales was the nine-passenger wagon with 17,988 examples built, a respectable figure considering it overshadowed many combined 1956 model sales. The combined sales of over 737,300 Two-Ten models accounted for over forty-seven percent of Chevrolet's total production. A year later, it continued to remain popular, accounting for thirty-seven percent of Chevy's total production, yet was discontinued at the end of the year to make way for its replacement, the Biscayne. While the 1957 Two-Ten was available in seven different body styles, the 1958 Biscayne was either a two-door or four-door sedan, or a 6- or 9-passenger four-door station wagon.

The 1956 Chevy Two-Ten models wore the 'Chevrolet' name on its rear fender, had chrome moldings around the windshield, side window sills, and backlight, and wore unique side trim with a single horizontal molding that swept downward, towards the rear bumper end. Except for the DelRay Coupe, the interiors had vinyl and cloth trim, and vinyl-coated rubber floor mats.

In 1956, Chevrolet won the annual Pike's Peak Hill Climb, and 'Smokey' Yunick driving a 1956 Chevrolet set a 24-hour average-speed record for American-built production cars at 101.58 mph, soundly beating Chrysler's old record by nearly 12 miles per hour! With its fine styling, many amenities, strong competition record, and legendary small-block V-8, the Chevrolet line was a huge success for 1956 in all of its many available models and body styles.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021