Photo: Mecum Auctions
Introduced for the 1955 model year, the Chevrolet Tri-Five became one of the best-selling vehicles of its time. Produced for three years, the Tri-Five moved nearly five million units.
What made it so popular? For starters, the Tri-Five was a looker and marked the introduction of Chevrolet's first V8 engine in decades. The range also included a wide variety of body styles and trims. From bare-bones haulers to fancy convertibles, the model covered all needs and purposes.
Nearly 70 years have passed since then, and the Tri-Five has morphed into an iconic and desirable classic, especially in range-topping Bel Air trim. The Sport Coupe version is a fan favorite, but convertibles are also desirable. The Nomad stands out as the rarest and most sought-after station wagon version.
The entry-level 150 and mid-range 210 models don't get as much attention, though. While many are rotting away in junkyards, others roam the streets as highly modified restomods. This four-door wagon is part of the latter category, but it's more of an unassuming rig than a fancy build.
A stunning restoration in Metallic Blue, which was a real factory color in 1955, this wagon poses as a Bel Air. However, the extra trim is an aftermarket addition. This grocery-getter was born as a mid-range 210, which makes it a Townsman.
Chevrolet used this name for the 210 four-door wagon in 1955. The two-door version was sold as the Handyman, while the entry-level 150 didn't include a four-door variant. In 1956, the nameplate was also applied to the four-door Bel Air wagon, previously sold as the Beauville.
The interior is a cool blend of original and modern features. While the chrome-heavy dashboard is still in place, the wagon now sports modern seats and a wide center console. The latter includes aluminum cup holders. A three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel takes center stage on the dash. Other highlights include a Vintage Air unit, a Lokar shifter, a new steering column, and a digital instrument cluster.
The Chevy hides even more goodies under the shell, starting with a powder-coated Art Morrison frame. The wagon also received a Ford nine-inch rear end with 3.55-ratio gears and Positraction and Wilwood power brakes at all four corners.
But the big highlight is the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8 engine that barely fits in the space between the front fenders. This is a massive upgrade over the stock engine. While the 210 was available with V8 power in addition to the standard 235-cubic-inch (3.9-liter) inline-six, displacement didn't exceed 265 cubic inches (4.3 liters) in 1955.
Most likely a built crate engine, the 383 packs Holley Sniper fuel injection and mates to a 700R4 automatic transmission. There's no word on output, but this mill should pump more than 450 horsepower to the rear wheels. It's a fully blown hot rod that should be fun to drive on the highway or burn rubber at the drag strip.
If mild restomods are your thing, this 210 Townsman is slated to go under the hammer at Mecum's Kansas City 2024 auction. The gavel will fall on December 7.
Nearly 70 years have passed since then, and the Tri-Five has morphed into an iconic and desirable classic, especially in range-topping Bel Air trim. The Sport Coupe version is a fan favorite, but convertibles are also desirable. The Nomad stands out as the rarest and most sought-after station wagon version.
The entry-level 150 and mid-range 210 models don't get as much attention, though. While many are rotting away in junkyards, others roam the streets as highly modified restomods. This four-door wagon is part of the latter category, but it's more of an unassuming rig than a fancy build.
A stunning restoration in Metallic Blue, which was a real factory color in 1955, this wagon poses as a Bel Air. However, the extra trim is an aftermarket addition. This grocery-getter was born as a mid-range 210, which makes it a Townsman.
Chevrolet used this name for the 210 four-door wagon in 1955. The two-door version was sold as the Handyman, while the entry-level 150 didn't include a four-door variant. In 1956, the nameplate was also applied to the four-door Bel Air wagon, previously sold as the Beauville.
The interior is a cool blend of original and modern features. While the chrome-heavy dashboard is still in place, the wagon now sports modern seats and a wide center console. The latter includes aluminum cup holders. A three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel takes center stage on the dash. Other highlights include a Vintage Air unit, a Lokar shifter, a new steering column, and a digital instrument cluster.
The Chevy hides even more goodies under the shell, starting with a powder-coated Art Morrison frame. The wagon also received a Ford nine-inch rear end with 3.55-ratio gears and Positraction and Wilwood power brakes at all four corners.
But the big highlight is the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8 engine that barely fits in the space between the front fenders. This is a massive upgrade over the stock engine. While the 210 was available with V8 power in addition to the standard 235-cubic-inch (3.9-liter) inline-six, displacement didn't exceed 265 cubic inches (4.3 liters) in 1955.
Most likely a built crate engine, the 383 packs Holley Sniper fuel injection and mates to a 700R4 automatic transmission. There's no word on output, but this mill should pump more than 450 horsepower to the rear wheels. It's a fully blown hot rod that should be fun to drive on the highway or burn rubber at the drag strip.
If mild restomods are your thing, this 210 Townsman is slated to go under the hammer at Mecum's Kansas City 2024 auction. The gavel will fall on December 7.
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