Member’s Feature - 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
Don & Debbie Martin, Member1#234
Upper Sackville, Nova Scotia
by Gary Porter
All to often you hear of cars that were put away to be restored at a later date. You know . . .when the house is paid for, when the kids are finished university, when I retire, etc. Unfortunately for some of these cars they are stored outside and when the day comes there isn’t much left to work with.
Don and Debbie’s ‘56 was originally purchased by former club members Pat and Judy Lahey in the early 1980's from a Michelin worker in New Glasgow, who bought the car in Piedmont South Carolina while on a training course there. At the time this classic sported a red and white paint job, red velour interior and was powered by a 283 backed up with a cast iron powerglide. After enjoying the classic for the summer it was stored in Pat and Judy’s garage with the intention of repairing the ailing powerglide for the next season. One thing led to another and the car was partially dissambled and over the next approximately 20 years, parts were acquired to do a full restoration on the car.

Fast forward to 2002. Other interests finally led Pat and Judy to sell the ‘56. It was purchased by long time club member Merlin Dorey and then sold to Don and Debbie.

Being a southern car and being stored inside all those years, the ‘56 was in very condition to begin with. However, Don, a body man by trade, made sure everything was in perfect condition before spraying the custom mixed pearl and metallic white over maroon. He followed the “resto rod” approach with this ‘56 keeping the outward appearance relatively stock with all of the trim in place, while updating the drive train and interior.
Filling the engine bay is a 454 which has been freshened up and treated to ported heads, a high performance camshaft, roller rockers and headers. Atop the mighty big block sits an Edelbrock manifold with a 750 c.f.m. Demon carb. The engine compartment has been dressed up with a number of chrome items such as valve covers, air cleaner, alternator, brackets, etc., along with steel braided hoses. Next in line is a 700R-4 transmission. This is a very popular transmission as the overdrive makes highway cruising much more enjoyable (not to mention economical) with large displacement engines and/or running tall gears. Finishing the drive train is a Trans Am rear end, supported by air bags and carrying 3:73 gears and a positraction unit.
At all four corners you will find 15" American Torque Thrust wheels wrapped in B.F. Goodrich radial T/A’s, 70's in front and 50's in rear. Don installed mini tubs to accommodate the latter. Brakes have been upgraded with G.M. discs on front and drums provide the stopping on the rear. A 605 steering box with a front anti sway bar improve overall handling and driveability.
The interior was done in matching maroon and white vinyl by Barry Pounteny. A Grant steering wheel attaches to a modified Chevrolet van tilt column. Don chose a Hurst shifter to control the transmission . The usual assortment of oil pressure, water temperature and amp gauges monitor engine functions, while a extra large tach allows Don to keep an eye on the r.p.m.’s.
Don and Debbie have put about 4,00 miles on their ‘56 in the three years it has been on the road, having traveled as far as Merrimichi, New Brunswick. They have continually improved this classic during that time. The ‘56 is stored for the winter and Don tells me that it is pretty well the way he wants it, so he has no planned changes or upgrades. He has a couple of other project vehicles to occupy his time. Don and Debbie are just going to enjoy using their ‘56 when the 2007 driving season starts.