1956 Chevrolet Corvette

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 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. For consignment, a 1956 Chevrolet Corvette convertible showing 43,441 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This car has been owned for 54 years by our consignor and was professionally restored during this period. 1956 Corvettes are rare, so let's get right to the description! Exterior Fifties fashion has this one now wearing two stage Cascade Green, augmented by the iconic cove, here in Beige, a tan soft top, and white wall tires on aqua wheels. A black accessory hard top will come with the car. A distinctive embossed hood will grab your attention just after the single headlights and boldly toothed grille does as the car portrays a cheerful grin, and why wouldn't it? The glass fiber reinforced plastic had the advantage of limitless shapes, and that is evident on the rear fenders where cutouts are provided for the chrome bezel tail lights and pontoon rise to the hips. Mix that with the body exit exhaust, chrome bumperettes, and cross flag emblem, and it's chef's kiss all day long. Imperfections include some chips, crazing throughout, and cracks in the paint. Interior Beige is our interior palette beginning on the door panels, a mix of smooth inserts and textured vinyl and polished trim, with some slight patina on the driver's side. The bucket seats share the color and textures and present well over tan sectional floor coverings that also rides the center hump. A large beige steering wheel fronts the color keyed dashboard, housing an arching speedometer to an astounding 140mph over painted steel construction that lays other gauges in a straight line with tachometer serving in the center under the AM radio and linear row of knobs. A modest shifter rises from the transmission tunnel with shift diagram and small ashtray the only garnish. The trunk shares in the tan and beige coloration and has a fitted rubber mat on the floor. Drivetrain The hood pivots forward to reveal a date-correct 265ci V8, rated at 240 horsepower and topped by the correct Carter 4-barrel carburetors and intake. It's mated to a Muncie M20 from the 60's, a 4-speed manual that sends power to the rear axle and 3.36 gears. We would call this engine bay very clean rather than concours level perfection. Undercarriage The underside is clean too with the black X-frame and axles shining bright. Dual exhaust flows through stock style mufflers before finding their exit through the body out back and drum brakes are supplied to all four wheels. Suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back. Drive-Ability We turn the key on this bit of eye candy and the V8 starts up without hesitation, and off we go in this special aqua car, around the test loop. Our tires are 25 years old so we're not flogging it in any way; we're here to test functionality. The car tracks straight, has plenty of get up and go, and handles well. We note only the heater blower not working but all other functions operate as they should, and we bring this American legend back to the mall where you can see it up close. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase. It must have felt like a spaceship or some kind of fancy toy in 1956 when America's only experience with sports cars were quirky little roadsters from England. This became an instant icon and the model is alive and well some 70