1956 Chevrolet One-Fifty

The 1955-1957 Chevrolets have always been favorites among car lovers, celebrated for their timeless design and renowned small-block V-8 engines. The 1956 Chevrolet One-Fifty stands out as a fascinating model in this lineup.

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Like many collector cars from the 1950s and 1960s, the most desirable versions are high-end convertibles and two-door hardtops loaded with options. Nowadays, Chevrolet enthusiasts are particularly drawn to the stylish, two-tone Bel-Airs adorned with numerous eye-catching factory extras.

In the mid-1950s, not every Chevrolet buyer was interested in extras like fender skirts, bumper guards, tissue dispensers, signal-seeking radios, or Autronic Eye headlamp controls. Some prioritized speed and affordability, willingly sacrificing luxury for performance.

The formula for achieving speed on a budget has remained consistent: install the most powerful engine in the lightest and most affordable body, and skip the unnecessary frills. The 1956 Chevrolet One-Fifty exemplifies this approach, serving as a classic example of a cost-effective speed machine.

Weighing 3,117 pounds and priced at $1,734, the One-Fifty two-door utility sedan was Chevrolet's lightest and most economical model in 1956. Its exterior featured minimal trim, including a single chrome side spear and small hubcaps. Inside, it was equally basic, with rubber floor mats, one sun visor, and no radio, heater, or clock.

The rear windows were fixed, as the absence of a back seat made roll-down windows unnecessary. The utility sedan offered a 31-cubic-foot cargo area behind the single split-bench seat, lined with durable composition-board walls.

While most 1956 Chevrolets came with various interior color options, the One-Fifty sedan had only one choice: a beige and gold-striped vinyl paired with golden-flecked black pattern cloth.

By the time the 1956 models debuted, the Chevrolet small-block V-8 was already gaining legendary status in the performance world.

A modified 1956 Chevrolet, prepped and driven by Corvette engineering expert Zora Arkus-Duntov, broke the Pikes Peak hill-climb record on Labor Day 1955. Hot-rodders were also realizing how effectively the new engine adapted to performance upgrades.

Chevrolet engineers embraced their own hot-rodding spirit when they offered the Corvette dual-four-barrel 265 engine as a universal option midway through the 1956 model year.

Equipped with the first "Duntov" camshaft, dual four-barrel carburetors, lightweight valves, and larger intake and exhaust ports, the engine delivered 225 bhp at 5,200 rpm. The Carter carburetors featured a large "batwing" air cleaner with dual oil-bath air filters.

Richard Hibbard, a Chevrolet dealer from Claremont, California, owns the impeccably restored Matador Red sedan showcased here. Its only options include the high-performance engine, Powerglide automatic transmission, and factory-accessory dual exhaust tips.

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