How much did a 1956 Chevy Bel Air cost new?
In 1956, a Chevrolet Bel Air typically listed for roughly $2,000 to $2,500 when new, depending on body style and options.
The Bel Air was Chevrolet’s top-trim model for the year, offered in several body styles and with a range of equipment that could push the price higher. This article breaks down typical price ranges by body style and highlights the options that most affected the sticker price.
Price ranges by body style
Note: The following ranges reflect typical showroom sticker prices for common 1956 Bel Air configurations, expressed in 1956 dollars.
- 2-door sedan Bel Air: about $2,000–$2,150
- 4-door sedan Bel Air: about $2,100–$2,250
- 2-door hardtop (Sport Coupe) Bel Air: about $2,300–$2,650
- 4-door hardtop (Sport Sedan) Bel Air: about $2,450–$2,750
- Bel Air convertible: about $2,900–$3,200
Prices varied by dealer, region, and availability of options, but these ranges capture the typical starting points for the era’s Bel Air lineup.
Options that could raise the price
Several popular options and powertrains could add hundreds of dollars to the sticker price. Here are common price-increasing features and their rough impact.
- V8 engine upgrade: roughly $100–$200 extra
- Automatic transmission (PowerGlide): roughly $150–$250 extra
- Radio: roughly $30–$75 extra
- Heater: roughly $20–$50 extra
- Power steering and/or power brakes: roughly $60–$150 extra
In practice, the final price on a 1956 Bel Air depended on the exact combination of body style and equipment selected at the dealership.
Summary
The 1956 Chevy Bel Air sat in the approximate range of $2,000 to $2,500 for base configurations, with higher-end body styles and convertibles reaching toward $3,000 or more. Optional equipment could add hundreds of dollars to the total. The precise price would have appeared on the dealer’s window sticker and varied by model, options, and location.
How much did a Chevy Bel Air cost in 1956?
Getting to 60 mph from rest required a scant 8.9 seconds, a sensational achievement for the day, especially at the price: $2,450. A stylish four-door hardtop model joined the Bel Air lineup in 1956, bringing the body style count to seven.
How much did a new car cost in 1956?
A new car in 1956 cost anywhere from approximately $1,300 to over $10,000, depending on the model. The average price for a new car was between $1,300 and $2,300, with some popular models like a Chevrolet Bel Air costing around $2,000 and luxury vehicles like the Continental Mark II reaching $10,000.
- Average/Popular Models: The average price for a new car in 1956 was between $1,300 and $2,300. For example, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air was priced around $1,987, and a new Jeep Dispatcher was approximately $1,367.
- Luxury Models: Luxury vehicles were significantly more expensive. The 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville Coupe had a base price of $6,501, and the high-end Continental Mark II was the most expensive American car of the year at $10,000.
What was the original price of a Bel Air?
$1,741
First-year production reached only 76,662 models built. The car cost $1,741 and weighed 3,225 lb (1,463 kg).
How much did a '57 Chevy Bel Air cost new?
Engine: V-8 engine, 283 cubic inch V-8 engine with dual 4-barrel carburetors, solid valve lifters and dual exhausts … the most powerful carbureted engine offered by Chevrolet in 1957. Horsepower: Optional 270 horsepower Super Turbo-Fire. Transmission: 3-speed manual. Original Price: $2,399.
