Chevrolet 210
Midrange model automobile
title: "Chevrolet 210" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cars-introduced-in-1953", "chevrolet-vehicles", "motor-vehicles-manufactured-in-the-united-states", "1950s-cars", "cars-discontinued-in-1957"] description: "Midrange model automobile" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_210" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Midrange model automobile ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Chevrolet 210 |
| manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| image | 1956 Chevrolet 210 Sedan (15975184218) (cropped).jpg |
| caption | 1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4-Door Sedan |
| layout | FR layout |
| production | 1953–1957 |
| assembly | Main plant |
| Flint Assembly, Flint, Michigan | |
| Branch assembly | |
| Baltimore Assembly, Baltimore, Maryland | |
| Janesville Assembly, Janesville, Wisconsin | |
| Lakewood Assembly, Lakewood Heights, Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Leeds Assembly, Leeds, Kansas City, Missouri | |
| Norwood Assembly, Norwood, Ohio | |
| Oakland Assembly, Oakland, California | |
| St. Louis Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri | |
| North Tarrytown Assembly, North Tarrytown, New York | |
| Van Nuys Assembly, Van Nuys, California | |
| Canada: Oshawa Assembly, Oshawa, Ontario | |
| Australia: Woodville, South Australia | |
| platform | A-body |
| predecessor | Chevrolet Deluxe |
| successor | Chevrolet Biscayne |
| related | Chevrolet 150 |
| Pontiac Super Chief | |
| :: |
| name = Chevrolet 210 | manufacturer = Chevrolet (General Motors) | image = 1956 Chevrolet 210 Sedan (15975184218) (cropped).jpg | caption = 1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4-Door Sedan | layout = FR layout | production = 1953–1957 | assembly = Main plant Flint Assembly, Flint, Michigan Branch assembly Baltimore Assembly, Baltimore, Maryland Janesville Assembly, Janesville, Wisconsin Lakewood Assembly, Lakewood Heights, Atlanta, Georgia Leeds Assembly, Leeds, Kansas City, Missouri Norwood Assembly, Norwood, Ohio Oakland Assembly, Oakland, California St. Louis Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri North Tarrytown Assembly, North Tarrytown, New York Van Nuys Assembly, Van Nuys, California Canada: Oshawa Assembly, Oshawa, Ontario Australia: Woodville, South Australia | platform = A-body | predecessor = Chevrolet Deluxe | successor = Chevrolet Biscayne | related = Chevrolet 150 Pontiac Super Chief
The Chevrolet 210 or Two-Ten is a midrange car from Chevrolet that was marketed from 1953 until 1957. It took its name by shortening the production series number 2100 by one digit in order to capitalize on the 1950s trend toward numerical auto names. The numerical designation "210" was also sporadically used in company literature. It replaced the Styleline DeLuxe model available in previous years. The 210 was discontinued after the 1957 model year to be replaced by the Biscayne.
History
The Two-Ten series, introduced for the 1953 model year, replaced the Styleline DeLuxe series. It was actually the best-selling Chevrolet model during 1953 and 54, offering a balance of style and luxury appointments unavailable in the base 150 series, but was less costly than the glitzy Bel Air. Two-Tens offered the widest choice of body styles for 1953, including a convertible, Sport Coupe hardtop, two- and four-door sedans, and four-door station wagons.
As the American public began to prefer posh to economy, the Bel Air began to outsell the lesser series, including both 150 and 210 models. As a partial answer to this, Chevrolet re-introduced the Two-Ten Sport Coupe hardtop in the middle of the 1955 model year, and also added a four-door Two-Ten hardtop Sport Sedan for 1956. Neither achieved the sales of their Bel Air counterparts, however, since they were only about $100.00 cheaper than the Bel Airs, which provided more luxury and premium exterior trim.
Unlike the 150 series, Two-Tens were always available with the same luxury options as the Bel Air, including the Powerglide automatic transmission, power window lifts and seat adjuster. The Two-Ten Townsman was the top station wagon model offered in 1953, but the Townsman was moved up to the Bel Air series for 1954, only to return to the Two-Ten for 1955. The lower-priced Handyman station wagon, a four-door model in 1953–54, became a two-door for 1955–57. Both were joined by a nine-passenger Beauville four-door wagon in 1956–57.
First generation (1953–1954)
| name = First generation | production = 1953–1954 | image = 1954 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-door sedan, front left, 06-24-2024.jpg | caption = 1954 Chevrolet Two-Ten Club Coupe | body_style = 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door wagon 2-door convertible | engine = 235 cuin OHV I6 | wheelbase = 115 in | length = 195.5 in | width = 75 in | transmission = 3-speed manual 2-speed automatic
1953–1954 models
First years for the Two-Ten. These model years are essentially the same except for minor front and rear trim items, and of course the reduced model offering in 1954. Turn signal indicators on 1953 dashboards were white, green in 1954.
Powertrains
Two engines were used in each of the 1953-54 model years, the more powerful Blue Flame unit used with the Powerglide automatic transmission. All Two-Tens had a three-speed Synchromesh manual transmission as standard, with two optional transmissions (see below). All engines are of the overhead valve (OHV) design. They are commonly referred to as "Stovebolt Sixes" because of the large slotted-head screws used to fasten the valve cover and pushrod covers to the block. 1954 was the last year for 6 volt electrical systems in Chevrolet vehicles.
- 235 in3 "Thrift-King" I6 rated at 108 hp (1953 manual transmissions)
- 235 in3 "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 115 hp (1953 Powerglide)
- 235 in3 "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 115 hp (1954 manual transmissions)
- 235 in3 "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 125 hp (1954 Powerglide)
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdrive unit
- 2-speed Powerglide automatic.
File:1953 Chevrolet 210 Coupe (20641814804) (cropped).jpg|1953 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan File:1954 Chevrolet 2103 4-Door Sedan.jpg|1954 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4-Door Sedan
Second generation (1955–1957)
| name = Second generation | production = 1955–1957 | image = 1956 210.PNG | caption = 1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan | body_style = 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop (1956–1957) 2-door wagon 4-door wagon | engine = 235 cuin OHV I6 265 cuin OHV V8 283 cuin OHV V8 | transmission = 3-speed manual 2-speed automatic
1955
The 1955 model year marks the introduction of a new chassis and the debut of the small block V8. The center door frame was beefed up for more safety. Brakes were 11 in drums. The Two-Ten buyer was free to choose any powertrain option available. The ammeter and oil pressure gauges were changed to warning lights.
This was the second Chevrolet to have a V8 engine installed. The first one was the Series D introduced in 1917 - before Chevrolet joined General Motors - and built for two years.
Engines
- 235 in3 "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 123 hp (manual transmission)
- 265 in Turbo-Fire OHV V8 rated at 162 HP (121 KW)
- 265 in Turbo-Fire OHV V8 rated at 180 hp (134 KW) Optional
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdrive unit
- 2-speed Powerglide automatic.
File:1955 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan in Skyline Blue, Front Right, 08-06-2022.jpg|1955 Chevrolet 210 2-Door Sedan File:UptownMay06AquaChevyBackRight.jpg|1955 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4-Door Sedan, blue with white top File:1955 Chevy 210 Stationwagon (12870335723).jpg|1955 Chevrolet 210 2-Door Station Wagon
1956
Engine choices remain the same except they were now rated with higher power output. The 265 CID V8 was available in three versions. The I6 had a new unified build no matter the transmission.
Engines
- 235 in3 "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 140 hp.
- 265 in3 "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 170 hp.
- 265 in3 "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with quad barrel carburetor rated at 205 hp
- 265 in3 "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with dual-quad barrel carburetors rated at 225 hp
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdrive unit
- 2-speed Powerglide automatic
File:Flickr - DVS1mn - 56 Chevrolet 210 (1).jpg|1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan File:1956 Chevrolet 210 (20140880776).jpg|1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4-Door Sedan File:1956 Chevrolet 2154 Sport Coupe.jpg|1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten Sport Coupe File:1956 Chevrolet 210 Wagon.jpg|1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten Station Wagon File:Chevrolet 210 Delray Club Coupe Mecum Auctions Kissimmee.jpg|1956 Chevrolet Two-Ten Delray Club Coupe
1957
New for 1957 was the optional 283 CID small-block V8 engine. There were three versions of this engine with conventional carburetors, as well as a fuel injected option.
The Two-Ten shared the wedge-shaped side trim with the Bel Air, but unlike the Bel Air (which had the wedge filled with an aluminum trim panel) the Two-Ten's wedge was painted either body color, or top color with the optional two-tone paint package. "Chevrolet" in script was mounted inside the wedge.
Engines
- 235 in3 "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 140 hp.
- 265 in3 "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 162 hp.
- 283 in3 "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 185 hp.
- 283 in3 "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with 4 barrel carburetor rated at 220 hp
- 283 in3 "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with dual 4 barrel carburetors rated at 270 hp
- 283 in3 "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with Rochester Ram-Jet fuel injection rated at 283 hp
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdrive unit
- 2-speed Powerglide automatic
- Turboglide variable-speed automatic
File:1957chevyblack.jpg|1957 Chevrolet 210 2 Door Sedan File:1957 Chevrolet 210 two-door sedan with fuel injection at 2015 Macungie show 1of4.jpg|1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan File:1957 Chevrolet 210 two-door sedan with fuel injection at 2015 Macungie show 2of4.jpg|Fuel injected engine in 1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan File:Flickr - DVS1mn - 57 Chevrolet 210 (10).jpg|1957 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4-Door Sedan
Today
Today, the Bel Air series of Chevrolets from 1953 to 1957 are far and away the most desirable models for collectors. However, Two-Ten models do have appeal, especially the 1953 convertible (very rare), the Del Ray Club Coupe with its upgraded vinyl interior, and the Sport Coupe hardtops of 1953 and 1955-57. Other models are less valuable, but again, can be purchased for less money than Bel Airs, for Chevrolet collectors on a budget. Unlike the One-Fifty series, Two-Tens do sport a fair amount of chrome trim and de luxe interior appointments, making them attractive and comfortable.
Australian assembly
Holden in Australia assembled 1955 Chevrolet 4-door sedans based on the 210 although the 210 name was not used for the Australian market. The Australian assembled cars featured seats upholstered in leather and floors covered in wool carpet. The 1956 sedans were equipped with six cylinder engines and three speed manual transmissions, which were carried over from the 1955 model.
References
References
- Flory, J. "Kelly" Jr.. (2008). "American Cars, 1946–1959: Every Model Every Year". McFarland & Company.
- "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1955_Chevrolet/1955_Chevrolet_Prestige_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com.
- Restored Cars #284, Jun-Jul 2024, pages 10 & 11
- 1956 4-door sedans were also assembled by Holden, again based on the 210 and again not using the 210 name.Restored Cars #285, Aug-Sep 2024, pages 10 & 11
- The same assembly, model name, body style, engine and transmission policies were continued for the 1957 model.Restored Cars #286, Oct-Nov 2024, pages 10 & 11
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