The 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air came with a dramatic facelift when it appeared with a more conventional full-width grille, instead of the Ferrari-inspired front end seen on the 1955 model. The Bel Airs boasted distinctive two-toned side body treatments that, along with the airplane-inspired hood ornament, imparted a look of motion. Single housings incorporated the taillight, stoplight and backup light, and the left one held the gas filler – an idea popularized on Cadillacs. Some buyers of the 1956 Bel Air could even get a Corvette 225-horsepower engine. With a top body weight of 3,506 pounds and a maximum sticker price of $2,608, Chevrolet built 669,064 1956 Bel Airs. Well-restored Bel Airs can get a lot more now than $2,608, which is a down payment for many contemporary vehicles.
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