1956 CORVETTE

  • A lot of people would have been perfectly content if Chevrolet had frozen Corvette styling with the 1953-5 model.
  • Although the same basic grille was kept, there were new front fenders with chrome-rimmed headlights; external door handles; chrome-outlined concave side body coves and sloping, taillight-integrated rear fenders.
  • The dash layout remained the same as in the past.
  • Upholstery colors were limited to beige or red, but six nitro-cellulose lacquer body colors were available.
  • They were Onyx black, Polo white, Venetian red, Cascade green, Aztec copper, and Arctic blue.

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial numbers were still located on the left front door hinge pillar post.

IDENTIFICATION

Series No. Body/Style No. Body Type Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
2934 2934 red vet
2-dr. Roadster - 2 passenger
$2900-3120 2730-2870 lb 3467

ENGINE

  Standard Engine Optional Engine Optional Engine
Type ohv 90-degree V-8, water cooled, cast iron block and heads
Valve lifters Solid valve lifters solid valve lifters solid valve lifters with high-lift camshaft
Main bearings 5 5 5
Bore & stroke 3.75" x 3.00" 3.75" x 3.00" 3.75" x 3.00"
Displacement 265 cid 265 cid 265 cid
Compression ratio 9.25:1 9.25:1 9.25:1
Brake horsepower 210 @ 5600 rpm 225 @ 4800 rpm 240 @ 5200 rpm
Induction system Carter Type WCFB four-barrel Model 2419S Two 4-barrel Rochester carburetors Two 4-barrel Rochester carburetors
Exhaust system Single or dual
Electrical system Delco-Remy, 12-volt

TRANSMISSION

Manual Automatic (optional)
Close-ratio,
three-speed,
all-synchromesh
with floor-mounted gear shifter
Two-speed Powerglide
First: 2.20:1 First: 1.82:1
Second: 1.13:1 Second: 1.00:1
Third: 1.00:1  

CHASSIS

FeatureSpecification
Wheelbase102.0"
Overall length168.0"
Height51.9"
Overall width70.5"
Track front/rear57.0/59.0"
Ground clearance6.0"
FrameBox-section, X-braced
BodyGlass-reinforced plastic (fiberglass), 2-seat convertible
Front suspensionIndependent; unequal-length A- arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspensionLive axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Wheels15-inch bolt on steel
Tires6.70 x 15, 4-ply
Curb weight2730-2850 lb
Rear axle typeHypoid semi-floating
Rear axle ratio3.70:1 (4.56, 4.11 and 3.55 optional)
SteeringSaginaw worm-and-ball, 16:1 ratio
Turning circle37 feet

PERFORMANCE

283 bhp/3-speed -- depending on axle ratio 0-60 mph 5.9-8.9 sec
0-1/4-mile 15.8 sec @ 88 mph - 14.2 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed 121-135 mph
Fuel consumption 10-16 mpg

OPTIONS

RPO 101Heater$115
RPO 102Signal-seeking AM radio$185
RPO 107Parking brake signal$5
RPO 108Courtesy light$8
RPO 109Windshield washer$11
RPO 2906.70 x 15 White sidewall tires$15
RPO 313Powerglide automatic transmission$175
RPO 419Auxiliary hardtop$200
RPO 426Electric power windows$60
RPO 449Special high-lift camshaft$175
RPO 469Dual four-barrel carburetor equipment$160
RPO 473Hydraulic folding top mechanism$100

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Production of the 1956 Corvette began November 4, 1955.
  • Chevrolet general manager Ed Cole and Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov decided it was time for the Corvette to go racing in 1956.
  • Zora drove one car to a two-way average of 150.583 mph at Daytona's Flying Mile.
  • John Fitch also set a record of 90.932 mph for the standing-start mile at Daytona and 145.543 mph in the production sports car class.
  • In the spring of 1956, at Pebble Beach, Calif., dentist Dr. Dick Thompson finished second overall and first in class in a sports car road race.
  • Thompson went on to take the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) 1956 championship with his Corvette.
  • A 225-hp 1956 Corvette could go from 0-to-60 mph in 7.3 seconds; from 0-to-100 mph in 20.7 seconds.

1956 CORVETTE PHOTOS


copper 56 vet
red 56 vet
red 56 vet
red 56 vet
red 56 vet
red 56 vet

LITERATURE & LINKS




email me: