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I remember (well, not really) the '57 Chevy had two different dashboards available, depending on if you got the Bel-Air or not. Was it the same way in '56? I think some models had frameless windows too.
It might not have had anything to do with Bel-Air, I'm not sure.
that around the time i was born in 62 they had a brown plymouth belvedere and a green plymouth savoy, both 56's. i have a vague recollection of the brown one but not the green one.
I like the Chevy best, but, none of these are slouches. I guess my first choice would be a convertible, 2nd choice 2-door coupe (they did make one, right?) third choice 2-door sedan (post) and 4th choice a Nomad. I don't think the Fuelie engine was available till 57 - so I'd have to settle for the 4-bbl "power pack" 265...but in any case to be different and original I'd spec out the 3-on-the-tree with Borg Warner overdrive. 3.73 gear please.
The 1955-1957 era was a good one for the Big 3, who in those days actually deserved the name.
You're right on the FI model. It was not available on the 265 cu in engine. The OD trans came with 4.11 gears. Guess you'll have to change it.
The '56 is considered by some to be the worst-looking of the Tri-Fives,but not by me. I like them better than the '57 Chevies,but the '55 Chevy is my favorite car of all time. I'm just not a fan of 4-door cars though.
The 56 Chevy is one of the most popular mass production cars and I would love to have one.
But I kinda like the 56 Ford styling more than the Chevy. I like the Ford dash and interior better too.
But if I had a chance to obtain a nice mid 50's Plymouth I certainly wouldn't turn it down.
I own a 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe that could be a daily driver if I chose to make it one but I put historical plates on it and can't legaly drive it as my primary car.
Any of the 3 cars mentioned by the OP would be a joy to own.
In my youth I had a 56 Dodge and a 56 DeSoto. Great cars.
The DeSoto had a gull wing shaped dash. Beautiful. I would love to have one of those again. Big old Hemi engine. It was like riding in a fast comfy rocking chair.
The young'ns today don't know what they are missing when it comes to real cars. No matter who made them, the mid 50's were the best in my opinion.
A '56 DeSoto could be had with a 341-cu-in Hemi rated at 320 hp. They could go 135 mph.
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) the '57 Chevy had two different dashboards available, depending on if you got the Bel-Air or not. Was it the same way in '56? I think some models had frameless windows too. 
dad used to tell me
