In 1956 Bel Air models were seven and this included the newly debuted Sport Sedan, which was a pillarless four-door hardtop that was attractive with all the windows rolled down that allowed easy entry into the backseat. Production of the four-door hardtops was 103000 units compared to 128000 units of two-door hardtops. The two-door Nomad wagons were at the top of the price chart with a price of $2,608, they now lacked the original uniqueness of their trim since their interior and rear-wheel sheet metal was similar to that of other Bel Airs. Only 7,886 units of them were produced. The two-door sedan was the less costly Bel Air for $2,025. The full-size cars received a hot Corvette 225 horsepower engine, also available were seatbelts, padded dashboard, and shoulder harnesses.
In 1956, there was an optional rain-sensing automatic top which had been introduced in 1951 LaSabre concept car although it had not been installed in any car before. In this model year a Chevy engineer, Zora Arkus set a new speed record on the four-hardtop sedan for an automobile Pikes Peak. For 1957 engine was displaced to 283 cubic inches with an option of the ‘Super Turbo Fire V8’ which produced a horsepower of 283 and had a continuous fuel injection(closed-loop). This fuelie car is rare to find because most of the Bel Airs were installed with carburetion. The 1957 Bel Air is an iconic car of its time and amongst the most recognizable American cars, especially the sport coupes and convertibles which drive high interest among car collectors. The cars were spacious and taste restrained to all buyers they also tailfins and chrome. Another option was a second automatic transmission called Turboglide. The Turboglide had a variable gear ratio making shifting imperceptible while the two-speed Powerglide remained unchanged. The two-door Nomad wagon production was done by the Bel Air series for 1955-’57 although it had a unique body.