1956 Chevrolet 210 H/Stock Drag Car

As rather large fans of Crazy Taxi in our youth here at Coolector HQ, it’s fair to say that during our regular perusing of RM Sotherby’s site for the latest lots, this rather amazing looking 1956 Chevrolet 210 H/Stock Drag Car jumped out from the page somewhat courtesy of its more than slight resemblance to the machine of the aforementioned video game and, if you want to get your hands on this stunning steed, you’re going to need to find around $40k lying around.

From the estate of Ralph Whitworth, this 1956 Chevrolet 210 H/Stock Drag Car has been impeccably maintained by its original owner (and racer for that matter) for almost 50 years and it is available at auction in mighty impressive condition – considering its stock car roots. This eye-catching contraption comes fully equipped with all its original racing speed equipment and apparatus and has an incredible retro aesthetic that it’s impossible not to fall for.

Old School Style

Authenticity is key with this amazing auction lot from RM Sotherby’s and this 1956 Chevrolet 210 H/Stock Drag Car is, without doubt, one of the most authentic stock eliminator cars from this era of racing that is available to purchase today. There is an great backstory to the vehicle and it starts back in 1956 when a man by the name of Jim Lamatrice purchased a brand new Chevrolet 210 sedan and he’d then go on to own it for the next 45 years, racing it all the while.

The 1956 Chevrolet 210 H/Stock Drag Car on RM Sotherby’s has 225-hp Power Pak engine, alongside dual-WCFB Carter four barrels on an inline intake, Duntov-type 30/30 mechanic camshaft, and factory dual exhaust and all these components come together to produce a genuinely striking machine which we’re sure will promote somewhat of a bidding war when the auction goes live. It is a very rare find to discover a power pak race car that has remained entirely unchanged over the years but that’s what you get with this lot and that’s why we expect bidding to be so frenetic.

With an interior which was designed and fitted by legendary fuel dragster racer and upholsterer Tony Nancy, this stunning machine is aesthetically unparalleled and all the old school dashboard components remain in all their glory and will transport you back to the 1950s with their incredibly eye-catching design. Around the early 70’s Lamatrice detuned the car a little as he wanted to use it out on the road so it was repainted metallic brown and driven on occasion until 1978 but then remained unused until he sold it in 2002.

Own a Piece of History

If you’re a fan of stock car racing and, indeed, vintage cars of the 50’s, you’ll be in your element with this stunning auction lot from RM Sotherby’s. The 1956 Chevrolet 210 H/Stock Drag Car was fully restored to race condition by it’s most recent owner, Joe Petralia, and he used all the original speed parts that Jim had included and completely rebuilt the engine to its NHRA-legal 225-hp configuration.

This race car is also completely street legal so if you’re the lucky one that gets your hands on it when it goes up for auction on October 5th, you’ll be able to drive it whenever and however you please – but you probably shouldn’t recreate the madcap driving of Crazy Taxi as we’d inevitably be inclined to do here at Coolector HQ.