Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Statham

This Pro-Touring Chevrolet 210 2-Door Post (Lot #656) will be offered with No Reserve at the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction.

The 1955-57 Chevrolet has been so popular for so long, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of all the distinct ways people have been customizing the cars for 60-plus years. The Tri-Five Chevys have been ideal raw material for straight-axle gassers, low-riders and home-built street machines. And that’s not even counting all the cleaner-than-new restorations.

You can make a strong argument it’s the Pro-Touring crowd that mapped out the plans for the ultimate Tri-Fives. The Pro-Touring strategy aims to combine classic styling with brutal power, modern comfort and sophisticated suspensions. Pro-Touring cars are built to be driven, with no compromises between vintage character and 21st-century performance.

An ideal example of what all that capability looks like is the Pro-Touring 1956 Chevrolet 210 2-Door Post (Lot #656) that will be offered for No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction, September 27-29. The Sienna Green and Indian Ivory Chevy delivers the thrills thanks to a 572ci, 720hp crate engine, which has been dressed for success with Hedman Hedders, a Barry Grant King Demon carburetor, MSD ignition, Edelbrock high-flow water pump, Ron Davis aluminum radiator and dual BRE high-performance fans.

The stout engine is backed by a Chevrolet Turbo 400 automatic transmission with B&M shift kit, custom driveshaft, narrowed Ford 9-inch rear end, Strange S-series posi-traction, and Moser 31-spline axles.

To keep the power under control while the miles roll by, the suspension has been upgraded to modern standards with a Mustang II-style front end with drop spindles, upper and lower adjustable control arms, QA1 adjustable coilovers at all four corners and Detroit Speed power rack & pinion steering. There’s plenty of room for the M&H drag radial rear tires, thanks to the mini-tub with ladder link suspension.

If the exterior modifications are on the subtle side, the interior is anything but. The car has the expected modern comforts, such as power windows, power seats and Vintage Air air conditioning, plus glove leather upholstery with ostrich inserts, German wool headliner, Classic Instruments Bel Era custom gauges and chrome IdidIt steering column with tilt wheel. This ultra-clean custom Chevy includes the build book with receipts, which should make for one helluva read.

For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at the entire 2018 Las Vegas docket, click HERE.