Corvette history 1956

	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	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 x 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

Feature	Specification
Wheelbase	102.0"
Overall length	168.0"
Height	51.9"
Overall width	70.5"
Track front/rear	57.0/59.0"
Ground clearance	6.0"
Frame	Box-section, X-braced
Body	Glass-reinforced plastic (fiberglass), 2-seat convertible
Front suspension	Independent; unequal-length A- arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspension	Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Brakes	Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Wheels	15-inch bolt on steel
Tires	6.70 x 15, 4-ply
Curb weight	2730-2850 lb
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Rear axle ratio	3.70:1 (4.56, 4.11 and 3.55 optional)
Steering	Saginaw worm-and-ball, 16:1 ratio
Turning circle	37 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

HISTORICAL NOTE

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.

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June 18, 1999