1956 Chevy 210 Coupe

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This 1956 Chevrolet 210 Coupe is the apex of automobile excellence and literal labor of Love – Alton Love, that is. Love acquired the vehicle in Dubuque, Iowa. The car had some dings and dents but was rust-free. “All I got was the empty shell of the body,” he said. “That’s all I started with.” Love spent the next 15 years building the car up to realize its full potential, work that would ultimately pay off as it went on to win numerous awards under his ownership.

Before all the awards and accolades, Love hauled the Chevy all over the country to ensure the best work was done on all areas of the automobile – chassis, body, interior, and paint. Father-son team Al and Scott Bruns of Wisconsin built the chassis and completed the body modifications. The breathtaking paintwork was handled by Gary Uhas Paint Works in Cleveland, Ohio. “It’s the most beautiful paint,” Love said. “It’s just like a sunset. It fades from orange to purple.”

Names and Numbers

For the Chevrolet 210, less is more – at least as far as the name goes. Chevy shortened the production series number (2100) by one digit in order to capitalize on the 1950s trend toward numerical names for automobiles.

Showtime!

Dubbed “Shades of Love,” Alton Love’s ’56 Chevy had its official unveiling at the 2009 Detroit Autorama, where it earned placement in the “Great Eight” out of 50 or so vehicles also making their debut. For Love and his “Shades of Love,” the Detroit show kicked off a winning streak.

The short list of accolades for this antique automobile includes International Show Car Association Grand Champion in 2010 and 2011. The car won 12 best custom awards from 2009 to 2011, and in 2010 and 2011 it was named one of the Top Twenty Best Cars in the Carl Casper Custom Auto Show in Louisville, Kentucky. Before the vehicle joined The JBS Collection, Love showed the Chevy in Omaha, Houston, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia. “It’s been just about everywhere,” he said.

“I feel very blessed,” Love told The Goshen News in 2011. “The car has been built with a lot of love. Everyone who has worked on my car is like family.”