Few classic cars hold the popularity, respect and recognizable nature of the Tri-Five Chevys, those built between 1955 and 1957. Of them, it’s a fun argument as to which is the best, but many feel the ’56 offered the best balance by design. Think of the ’55, and a big grille—supposedly inspired by Ferrari—may come to mind; think of a ’57, and it may well be all about those fins and maybe, just maybe, the gold grille. But when the ’56 comes to mind, it’s got a nice grille spanning all the way across the front end and subtle fins at the rear tipped with bullet tail lights that conceal the fuel filler cap; the car boasts balance, front and rear. Regardless of all that, all three years were fabulous fuel for customizers and Hot Rodders alike, who built various interpretations of how to make a cool car even cooler, and this is one of those. Truly an exquisite interpretation of a custom car, the paint is mesmerizing—two-tone Black and Pearl Light Green, the green with an iridescent quality that changes its color depending on the light, ranging from light Key Lime Green Pearl to a richer color that’s been described as antifreeze. The Black is as impressive as the green with a thickness and depth that truly shows how flawless it is. It’s remarkable. While the handles and all of the emblems have been removed, the unique Bel Air trim remains, and all the brightwork, inside and out, is astonishingly brilliant. The interior is just as impressive, upholstered in cream-colored soft leather. Bucket seats offer a comfortable, supportive experience while a center console adds a flair of modernity with functionality, as it hosts a sliding door compartment, the shifter for the 6-speed Tremec TKO manual transmission, controls for the Vintage Air and the switches for the power windows. The dashboard has been upholstered in a cream upholstery and smoothed over, and it hosts three oval air vents, a decorative chrome band and a modernized gauge cluster right where Chevrolet positioned the original one. Power comes by way of a 502 CI Ramjet V-8 engine that’s as well dressed as the rest of the car with chromed intake manifold and finned valve covers, coated headers, a stainless steel exhaust, billet accessory drive and much more all nestled in a beautifully smoothed engine bay that’s painted black. An Art Morrison GT Sport Chassis with chromed components holds it all together, including the Ford 9-inch rear end, polished stainless fuel tank, chromed coilover springs and polished Wilwood disc brakes behind staggered 18- and 20-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile tires.
