Chevy's triumvirate of classic '50s cars -- the 1955, 1956 and 1957 model years -- long have been desirable automobiles among the collector crowd. But of those three years, the one that generally gets the least attention is 1956.

Stuck in between 1955's all-new styling and first-ever V-8 engine and the 1957's finned, glitzy styling and "American Graffiti" aura, the 1956's biggest claim to fame was a "Power Pack" V-8 option and a Pikes Peak endurance hill climb that was well publicized by Chevy.

Even so, the '56 Chevy is still a terrific design and one that is getting a lot more attention thanks to Precision Miniatures. It's introduced three 1\u204418 scale versions of the 1956 Chevy Bel Air four-door hardtop, including the one that I reviewed, done in the most popular color combination of that year, Crocus Yellow and Onyx Black. For $61, you can get an unusual model done to near perfection of one of Chevy's nicest cars.

It's particularly terrific that you can open all four doors of this hardtop and the body doesn't sag. Most model companies would have left the back two doors inoperable, which would have detracted from the overall effect. Too, 1956 was the first time that Chevy did a four-door hardtop, which makes this model just that much more important to collectors.

Perhaps the biggest plus for this car is the interior, in which the exact fabric pattern of the real car has been replicated accurately. The dashboard, too, has all the correct gauges, including the fan shaped speedometer many remember. The controls and radio also are there, and you almost can imagine the sounds of singers Patti Page or Jo Stafford wafting from inside.

The trunk is nicely detailed, although I would have preferred that the company install the numbered plaque on the chassis as opposed to the trunk floor because it detracts from the look of the trunk interior.

I also didn't notice much wiring and hoses under the hood, and what was there didn't always coincide with the reference material I've gathered on the 1956 Chevy. There also was little chassis detail, other than such basics as mufflers, exhaust pipes and the underside of the engine and suspension systems.

Still, those criticisms aside, Precision has done a terrific job replicating one of Chevy's mid-1950s gems -- one you aren't likely to find anyplace else.