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Ray Addington, Tulsa, OK
My first memory of a classic was in the fall of late 1954. My dad bought a 1955 Pontiac two-door sedan and my uncle Ted bought a 1955 Sport Coupe with Power Pack. The first thing Uncle Ted did was Smithys on his Chevy. For the younger classic lovers, Smithys are 50s style glass. I'll never forget that sound! Every time these two cars were in the same town of Burlington, Washington, the race was on.
Working for Patton Chevrolet in Fortuna, CA from 1961 through 1968 was a thrill for an 18-year-old kid. I was lucky enough to work on all the high 348s, and 409s. Then came the 396427 cars (the fun just kept on coming). I wanted a '55 Chevy, so I watched the used car lot closely for a trade-in. My favorite salesman told me about a two-door sedan that was being traded for a '62 Chevy. It was a '55 Bel Air, 265 Powerglide, Dusk Rose, and India Ivory, the sale was $750. I traded in my '50 Chevy two-door fastback for $250, and I now had my first classic.
This '55 Bel Air would be my birthday present. I eventually traded the '55 in for a new '64 Nova Sport Coupe, 283 4-speed, bench seat. I missed my '55, so I traded the Nova for a '55 Bel Air Sport Coupe, Harvest Gold, and India Ivory, 265ci engine with a three-speed overdrive. I have owned several classics over the years, including a '63 Corvette, '56 Nomad, and others too numerous to mention.
Fast forward to January 1977; while driving through the small town of Catoosa, Oklahoma, (near Tulsa) I spotted this 1956 210 Sport Sedan and knowing the rarity of this model, was quick to turn around. It had a 265 Power Pack, Powerglide, original oil bath cleaner, deluxe heater, electric wipers, and standard radio and '210 hub caps. It had a broken exhaust and smoked heavily, but I knew I could fix this. I bought the car for a grand total of $250. My wife, Vickey, was sure we were going to asphyxiate our four-month-old son Tommy while driving it home!
Sadly, in 1982, I stored the '210 in the barn on the family farm in Nowata, Oklahoma. The car would remain there basically untouched for the next 23 years. During this time, I was still deeply involved with Classic Chevys. I bought another '56 Bel Air from my cousin David King. I eventually went to work for a good friend, Charlie Smith of Charlie's Custom Colors of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. I obtained valuable experience and knowledge in bodywork and painting which helped me in the newly restored Bel Air (Flash Red) after my many hours of grunt work! We drove this car for the next 23 years and showed at many shows, winning a gold certificate in the 2002 International show in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
With the dream of finishing the stored '210 and needing funds to do so, I sold this '56 Sport Coupe in 2004 and brought the '210 out of the barn and home to my garage in Tulsa.
Working out of my backyard garage, I started the frame-off restoration of the '210 in February of 2005. The car was completely taken apart and was spread all over my garage, house, and backyard! I had new front floor installed; I repaired minor rust and replaced front fenders. Then with all the bodywork completed, I began re-building the 305 engine, the 350 turbo transmission, the original rear end, drum brakes, suspension, and heater assembly. I bought a new grille, light extensions, taillights, all new glass, total wiring, all new body seals, mounts, and radiator. I polished all the stainless which were original on the car. I also re-chromed the hood bar, upper outer bar assemblies, lower bar, and bumpers. The car was painted by Mike Bailey of Tulsa, Oklahoma with Sikkens base clear toner white. I was very happy with the color and job. I finished the wet sanding and buffing and began the final assembly. The interior was done by Roberts Auto Upholstery of Prattville, Oklahoma in the original style but with black and white marine-grade vinyl. With the help of my wife Vicky, friends David Barnes, Jimmy Lee, sons Tim and Tommy, grandsons Colten and Paycen (little hands for small spaces), the car was finally complete on June 7th, 2007. Two years of not much sleeping or eating and long hours!
We drive the '210 to shows and cruises and were thrilled with winning a Platinum Certificate with 978 in the Modified Class at the Springfield, Missouri 36th Annual International Chevy Classics Show.
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