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The repros i see on gaasers at car shows

Look ok.

I was surprised they were cheap. Around a 100 bucks

But they fit Edelbrock or holly. Larger air intake. There is an adapter.
You can get.

Edit, they use paper filter

I have 2 very nice original air filter assemblies as spares. FYI...

"Tanner", as my kids have named the 400 (in deference to the Mojave Tan paint), was in desperate need of tires. The existing tires were bias ply of unknown age. There is no date marking on them, so possibly could be from the 70's or 80's? They handled poorly and were very discolored from age.

Based on the info in this thread, I learned that 51-53 Clipper wheels would fit on the 56 senior cars. It just so happens that I had restored the wheels on my '53 clipper parts car, Rusty McRustface, late last year. That car came with all flat and rotten tires, so I had to put new ones on to be able to roll it and move it. While the tires were off, I restored the wheels and painted them a bold red, because why not? Then threw on some Hankook Tynergy tires is 235/75 because they were dirt cheap. And they had a thin whitewall.

So I found a few minutes between kids sports practices and games to swap the wheels/tires from one car to the other. The '53 wheels bolted right up. The tires were far too thick to fit in the rear. So I ended up disconnecting the lower shock mount bolt on one side, then letting the axle hang and drop on that side. The tire then easily fit, and I lifted the axle and booked the shock back in. Repeat for the other side.

I don't love the look, but I also don't hate it. I still think wide whitewalls would look best on this car, and Mojave Tan color matched wheels would look more elegant. But hey, if these wheels and tires work well then I may just roll with them for a while. I have so many other things I need to do for the car that are probably more important.