Vehicle Description
1956 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
The 1956 C1 Corvette represented the first major redesign of the
original body style. The new sports car, the 1956 Corvette,
received a new redesign with the cove inserts and smoother exterior
lines. This first-generation Corvette now offered buyers outside
door handles, roll-up windows in place of the rudimentary side
curtains, and adjustable passenger seating. Options expanded to
include power steering and a removable auxiliary hardtop that was
virtually waterproof. The total production was 3,467
convertibles.
For consignment, a C1 Corvette from 1956 representing the first
major redesign since its inception. This example needs some TLC on
the exterior fiberglass and interior. The drivetrain is not numbers
matching, and there are several frowns on the drive-ability. With
only 3,467 examples though it is worth the investment to bring it
back to snuff, as it is somewhat rare to see these early
'Vettes.
Exterior
Gone are the rear fins in exchange for a smoother rear design. The
cove makes its debut, and the front grille has shades of a Ferrari
with vertical chromed ribs and a horizontal bar stretching inside
an elongated oval. 2 small wrap-around bumpers and a central
"push-bar" bumper are on, and round headlighting tops the front of
the quarters. A wrap-around windshield and a white convertible top
are on, and this leads to the curved downward rear where tail
lighting is on the rounded rear quarter edges. The rear quarters
form an oval at their ends, and shiny exhaust tips are within
curved vertical trim bumpers. A center split bumper is on the rear
roll pan and frames the license plate. The white exterior
fiberglass has plenty of cracking and crazing, chips and body
filler throughout. Inner fenders and passenger firewall have lots
of tiger hair fiberglass repair, suggesting that this car had been
hit at some point in its history. Blackwall tires, from 11th week
of 2002, and black steel wheels have a shiny central hub cap on all
4 corners. The canvas top is in good condition and operates as a
power top.
Interior
Red vinyl is in contrast to the white exterior, and is seen on the
door panel sills and lowers where it takes on a dimpled look. A
white painted strip is on the upper just below the sills, and has
the ball knob door actuator. Newer puffy red vinyl bomber style
buckets have square tufted inserts and smooth bolsters, and conform
to the passenger compartment dual eyebrow design fiberglass tonneau
covering when the top is down. In front a dual semi circular dash
top in red has the rear view mirror mounted on top center. Below
the white dash front is peppered with black face gauges, the speedo
is in one of the semicircles, and there are plenty of shiny knobs
and pulls taking up virtually the entire dash. In front of the
passenger is another semicircular bump up, and this houses the
radio speaker. Red carpeting floods the floors and the shifter is
on the hump. Rounded curved design abound throughout.
Drivetrain
Under the flip forward hood, is a restored 327ci V8 which is circa
1962-67. It is topped with a Holley 4 barrel carburetor, and has a
T10 4 speed manual transmission on back. The rear axle, J17 casting
date is not original and has 3.55 gears.
Undercarriage
Inner fenders have repairs and it can be seen underneath. Some
invasive rust is noted on a crossmember support for the rear roll
pan. An X frame appears structurally strong and is covered with oil
blowback so it has not rusted. Manual drum brakes are on all 4
corners, and independent coil spring and leaf spring suspension is
on.
Drive-Ability
The car fired right up and on the test track ran fine. The car
pulls hard right when braking, the radio, speedo, and odometer are
not working.
As described, this rare example will need plenty of TLC to get it
back up to snuff. When done though you will have a collector piece
that will be proved by even the most discriminating aficionado.
E56S002176
E-Corvette
56-1956
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
002176-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
