When talking about derelict cars, we usually think about classics abandoned in junkyards or rotting in barns and backyards. But not all of them are resting in such places. The 1956 Chevrolet 210 you see here may look like it was just dragged out of a barn, but it was actually brought down from an advertising billboard. Where it sat for a whopping 30 years.
It may seem strange to place an entire car atop a billboard some 35 feet up in the air nowadays, but it was a thing back in the day. Old vehicles were usually used to advertise businesses like dealerships, repair shops, or gas stations. This Tri-Five sat atop a billboard near Overdrive Entertainment, a comedy club in Celina, Ohio.
The club was recently closed, so the Chevy 210 was auctioned off. The folks at YouTube's "Iron City Garage" of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, bought it and, as a result, had the difficult mission to get it back on the ground after three decades. They didn't do it by themselves but hired a company instead. And fortunately enough, not only did they document the whole process, but they also cleaned the car and got it ready for another sale. Yup, this apparently useless Tri-Five was rescued, and it's looking for a new home.
But is this car worth returning on the road after 30 years of exposure to the elements? Well, even though that's long enough for rust to take over a steel body, the two-door sedan is actually in decent shape. Sure, there's some rust here and there, and the paint is awful, but the shell is surprisingly clean overall. Perhaps the fact that someone climbed on the billboard and repainted it in 2017 helped keep most of the rust away. The frame is also still in one piece.
On the other hand, the car was gutted before being raised on the billboard in the 1990s. Not only the engine and the transmission are gone, but the interior is as empty as they get beyond the steering wheels. There are no seats, door panels, or even a single trim piece or bezel. That's bad news for anyone looking to restore it to its original specifications. On the other hand, it's the perfect canvas for a hot rod and even a dragster.
Quarter-mile rigs don't need a lot of things inside the cabin. Add a driver's seat, a simple dash, a steering wheel, and a shifter, and you're pretty much ready to launch. You'll also need a roll cage, of course, because things can go wrong when you're charging hard in a straight line. But regardless of its final destination, the Tri-Five is rolling and comes with the title. Moreover, our hosts were also able to produce a VIN.
If you're unfamiliar with the 210, it was the mid-range version of the Tri-Five. It slotted above the entry-level 150 and below the fancied-up Bel Air. How desirable is a two-door sedan nowadays? Well, the hardtop version remains the number one choice for most collectors, but the post cars are gaining traction on the classic car market. That's because most hardtop examples have already been restored or hot-rodded and go for almost 100,000. A solid two-door sedan is much more affordable, especially if it's not a Bel Air. But needless to say, it's far from rare since Chevrolet sold a whopping 206,000 of them in 1956.
But regardless of production numbers and market value, seeing a billboard car getting a second chance at life is heart-warming. So hit the play button below to see it returning to the ground and getting a much-deserved cleaning.
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. Full profile
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