1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
Personal story and photograph submitted by owners Gary and Shirly Krier
for participation in the the 2008 GM Century Cruise
This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe was built in Los Angeles, California on July 9, 1956. The factory installed options include: two tone paint (Sierra Gold over Adobe Beige); tinted glass; a 265 cubic inch V8 engine with Power Pack (4 bbl carburetor with dual exhausts); Powerglide automatic transmission, AM pushbutton radio; and white sidewall tires. Available dealer options during that time which are currently on the vehicle include rear fender skirts, front fender stone guards, fender birds, rocker panel stainless steel trim, twin spotlights, a rear seat speaker, and a traffic light viewing prism.
The car was brought to Michigan in 1974 and we are the fifth owners of the vehicle. We obtained the vehicle in 1996 and restored it from 1998 through 2000. During the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008 the engine was overhauled and detailed.
The design of this awesome vehicle includes: the hidden gas tank filler incorporated in back of the driver’s side rear tail lamp assembly; the smooth flow of the body belt line further accented by the spear molding and two tone paint; a front grill configuration which suggests the highly acclaimed Cadillac nameplate; and the legendary 265 small block engine.
Our passion for this car is not only because of its unique design, but also the nostalgic value to us. In 1960 we were in our home state of Wisconsin where my wife Shirley was working while I was attending college pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree. We always had loved the 1956 Chevrolet, and her supervisors’ husband had the same model and color car as we have now. We could not afford to buy it from her supervisor at that time, but never had forgotten it. We were so delighted and surprised to find the clone of that car here in Michigan and had to have it. A few years later, but well worth the wait!
We now enjoy our ’56 Chevy by attending car shows, cruise nights, and just going for a nice summer drive. We have met good friends and share their interest in the great cars of the ‘50’s, & ‘60’s, and have fun remembering times gone by.
GM’s Century Cruise pays tribute to GM’s past and the passion owners have for their vehicles. On Saturday, August 16, 2008 this vehicle and more than 100 other classic GM vehicles will cruise from the GM Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center up Woodward Avenue to the heart of the Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak and the surrounding suburbs. One of these vehicles will be crowned “top cruiser” based on a text voting campaign.
Next GM Century Cruise Participant
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