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1956 Chevrolet Wagon Shorty Is a Weird but Flawless Build

Botched-up or out-of-the-box thinking? That's the question that pops into my mind whenever I see a Tri-Five Chevy shorty conversion. And here's another one.
1956 Chevrolet station wagon shorty restomod 13 photos
Photo: Ray Faubion/Facebook Marketplace
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Remember the rusty 1957 Bel Air shorty we stumbled upon a while ago? Well, this one's completely different. Not only is it based on a 1956 station wagon, likely a 150 or 210 model, but it has converted the restomod way. It packs a few modern features and looks spotless inside and out.

Whoever sliced the length between the front doors and the rear wheel wells did a great job. The front and rear ends were welded together flawlessly, and the paint job looks pretty good, shiny and all. The hot rod-style pinstriping on the nose, the tailgate, and the under the door handles is a nice touch too.

Shorty conversion aside, this Tri-Five wagon also stands out through a front bumper delete, a new grille that stretches from one corner to the other, a body-colored rear bumper, and a set of five-spoke wheels wrapped in modern rubber.

The interior has been modified too. Of course, the shorty conversion turned the wagon into a two-seater, but that's not all. The standard front bench is gone, replaced by a pair of modern seats. I also spotted a non-Tri-Five steering wheel with four spokes. The dashboard, door panels, and floor are in good condition, although the latter needs a cleaning. The owner also added modern seat belts for enhanced safety.

The restomod job continues under the hood, where a more modern 5.7-liter V8 has replaced the original engine. The owner doesn't provide details or photos of the mill, so it could be any version of GM's 350 small-block. This engine was introduced in 1967 and remained in production, in various forms, until 2002.

What we do know for a fact is that it mates to a TH-400 automatic transmission. And this newer V8 should pack more punch than the engines that Chevrolet offered in the Tri-Five back in the day. The seller adds that the shorty runs well, handles good, and "hits a good lick going down the road."

Getting back to the question at the top of this article, how do you feel about shorty conversions of 1955-to-1957 Chevys? Is it a good way to make a Tri-Five lighter and maybe save it from the junkyard? Is it the type of build that should be banned given how valuable Tri-Fives are nowadays?

I'm all up for weird builds, but I can't decide whether I like this one or not. All I can say is this is what a Tri-Five hatchback might have looked like if Chevy had built one.

Whatever the case, this yellow shorty is listed on Facebook Marketplace as we speak. The seller is asking $22,500, but he's willing to discuss a trade.
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About the author: Ciprian Florea
Ciprian Florea profile photo

Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
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