Jesse Orozco’s Custom 1956 Chevy 210
There are a lot of modified 1955-57 Chevys out in the world, but very few get the traditional custom treatment you might have seen at car shows in the late-’50s and early’60s. So, when a custom Tri-five comes along that’s as clean, cool, and well executed as Jesse Orozco’s standout custom 1956 Chevy 210, we take notice!
Jesse has owned the Chevy nearly 30 years. When he retired as a firefighter, he finally had time to devote to the project and complete it in the old-school custom style he envisioned.
The Chevy actually started as a two-door sedan, but the top has been chopped, the rear of the roof moved forward 6-inches, and the posts between the doors and quarter windows deleted in favor of hardtop-style glass with curved frames. The rear window is from a ’50 Mercury. Other metal movement included extending the front fender peaks over the headlights and extending the rear quarter panels to incorporate ’56 Packard taillights.
Pepe Heredia performed the metalwork, which also included subtle mods like shaved emblems and door handles and a peaked hood. Finish bodywork was then done by Manual Gallegos and Ernie Enriquez at Hollister Power Sport Custom Paint and Body. Then Erik Solorio picked up the paint gun and laid down an incredible custom fade paint job that incorporates House of Kolor Spanish Gold, Pagan Gold, Tangerine, and White Ice Pearl hues in a gorgeous style that mimics a California sunset.
The custom body is enhanced with a low stance achieved using Classic Performance Products’ tubular control arms and drop spindles, a four-link rear suspension, plus Slam Specialties air springs and AccuAir management. CPP four-wheel disc brakes are found behind steel wheels wrapped with Coker Tire American Classic wide whitewall radials and topped with ’57 Cadillac wheel covers.
The well-dressed engine is a 350c.i. small block with Vortec heads, an Edelbrock carb and intake, and an HEI distributor. It’s topped with a Cadillac-style air cleaner painted to match the body and sends fumes through Sanderson headers to a Magnaflow exhaust system.
Ron Mangus Hot Rod Interiors updated the cabin in clean style, using two-tone Moore & Giles leather over Lexus bucket seats, custom rear seats, and other soft parts. Woodgrain trim and Classic Instruments gauges update the dash, a custom-painted wheel tops the Flaming River column, and Kicker stereo gear delivers tunes.
After two decades, Jesse is understandably thrilled his custom Tri-Five vision has been realized. “The build was planned out for years,” he says. “Everything I did was with one thing in mind: the look and design of the vehicle. It had to flow from the front fenders to the rear quarter panels. I believe I accomplished this.”
Photos by Steven Bunker & Terry Lysak
