After faltering steps during its first years of production, Chevrolet’s C1 Corvette underwent significant changes for the 1956 model year. Not only did it receive an entirely new body, but lifting the hood would reveal nothing but a V8. Yep, the six that served since Day 1 was now a memory. This Corvette is a tidy driver with no glaring faults or needs. It has undergone some mechanical upgrades but would suit an enthusiast seeking a clean classic they can enjoy immediately. The seller listed it here on eBay in Miami, Florida. Bidding has raced to $40,700 in a No Reserve auction.
Once Chevrolet had ironed out the bugs of its early Corvette offerings, it could easily have sat back and maintained the status quo. However, it undertook a total restyle for 1956, almost signaling a new beginning for the model with sharper and more modern lines. There were also practical changes as part of the body upgrade designed to cement this classic in the market. The seller hits the right note early for potential buyers by confirming this Corvette is a California car. Therefore, the lack of frame rust is no surprise. This gem is rock-solid, and the Venetian Red and Polo White paint shines beautifully. It reflects its surroundings clearly, covering fiberglass with no evidence of cracks or stress issues. There is no soft-top, but the seller includes a spotless color-matched factory hardtop. The trim looks excellent, with the Corvette retaining its original hubcaps. Chevrolet introduced side glass to the ‘Vette for this model year, with it and the windshield looking flawless.
While it doesn’t rate a mention in the listing, the overall condition of this Corvette’s panels, paint, and interior suggests it has probably undergone some form of restoration or refurbishment. The upholstered surfaces in this car are difficult to fault, with no evidence of wear or physical damage. The same applies to the carpet and wheel, with the gauges featuring clear lenses and crisp markings. The retro-style stereo is a later addition, although it and some of the gauges don’t function. The aftermarket shifter suggests this classic might not be 100% original under the skin.
Perhaps the biggest news for potential Corvette buyers in 1956 was that the company had finally put the venerable 235ci Blue Flame six out to pasture. When buyers ordered a new ‘Vette, they were guaranteed the engine bay would be crammed with 265 cubic inches of the company’s V8 goodness. Transmission choices were limited to a three-speed manual or a two-speed Powerglide. The drivetrain combination of this classic is a mystery because we know it now features a four-speed manual to perform shifting duties. I don’t believe the engine is original, with the generator location serving as a strong visual indication that things have changed. It remains a small-block, but its capacity and specifications are unclear. However, the seller describes the drivetrain as strong, suggesting it is a turnkey proposition for the successful bidder.
Although the C2 Corvette has represented a rock-solid investment in the past, values have softened over the past year. The ‘Vette is not the only victim of this trend, although it is one of the more unexpected. It is impossible to predict whether they will fall further or if things are set to improve. Purchasing any classic car involves an element of risk, but the fifty-four bids submitted by twenty-four people demonstrate that enthusiasts are willing to roll the dice. Could you be one of them?
There’s a few cars that when changed, turned the corner, and this was one of them. It transformed the car into a viable alternative to most fancy European cars. Slightly modified, ate them for lunch. Not to pick a sore point( to me) but do these people remove the air cleaner for show purposes? I like the fact it shows a 2 barrel, perfect for today, but where are the air cleaners? I can’t think of anything more detrimental to an engine than no air filter, except maybe sand in the oil. Still, what great car,,,and now, in my usual demeanor, “bought from family to pay healthcare expenses”,,,nice, I know 1st hand about that, me and my brother ended up owing $108,000 dollars to the state of Wis. for my old mans care. So I know what I’m talking about, and not sure how long that is going to go on. We aren’t the only ones, as shown.
Bottom line, the old guy here had a sweetheart of a car. Whether the next 14 buyers/sellers will have the same affection, is doubtful, it’s just a money maker now until the cash runs out.
No, THIS is the bottom line( mom always said, “end on a happy note”), think about if this car could talk. The joy of driving it off the lot in 1956,,the places it went, the fun he had, no wars, it was America, baby, what all our dads fought for, to drive a Corvette someday. THAT’S what I hold dear in all this, not how much money someone can bilk out of it now.
Nice car . The two barrel is just plain wrong! Like putting a single carb on an old Goldwing.
Hey Harv, well, you hit a nerve there, my friend. I’m all for a single carb on a GW. On my last GW, with the 4 carbs, NOTHING I did made it run right. I considered a single VW carb, that I read had great results. Never did it, but well worth the swap. The 2 barrel here indicates a lower compression motor, I think, and I don’t know where you get gas, but even my 4 cylinder Jeep hates mid-grade today, so a 4 barrel and high compression went out with Beatle Boots.
Beautiful example of the first V8.
I don’t think it’s a 265. I read, the way you can tell, is the 283 had a window in the dist. cap, the 265 did not, and 265 used cap springs instead of those spring screws. Some sites differ saying the 265 DID have a cap window. I don’t think so. With the block having newer paint, it looks like they put the hardware from the 265 on to the 283.
That’s a much newer engine, likely a 350. SBC’s had the oil filler in the front of the intake until ’68, not in the valve cover. Yeah, somebody ‘updated’ it, probably a long time ago, when originality wouldn’t matter.
I had a ’55 BelAir 2dr HT in high school. It had a ’55 265 with the oil filter mounted up by the intake. (A true ’55 265). The dist. cap had the window. I believe that there was a swap for a newer dist. A quick job if you know what you’re doing. Probably pretty common, due to the ease of setting the dwell with the engine running.
This is a C1 Corvette. Yet another Vette featured here from this same seller by Mr. Clarke?
Yep, another clapped together questionable Vette from this same seller with a less than stellar reputation in the Corvette community.
Mr. Clarke is lazy – just visits the same dealers add and ignores all of the nice cars that are submitted by us readers. To heck with the chance that someone here will be duped into buying a piece of crap.
Commenters so far have ignored the elephant in the ad. Both doors and the FIREWALL are from a ’58 – ’62 Corvette. For starters, look at the interior door pull locations and the lack of female hood latches.
This car has so many modifications, later parts, aftermarket stuff, and homemade wiring harnesses that it’s difficult to tell just what it is. I do know this, however: it’s not a well-preserved (or restored) stock ’56 Corvette.
I admit I’m stumped.
I’ve asked for opinions from NCRS members on their Technical Discussion Board. I’m hoping a more knowledgeable Corvette owner can explain how this body might have been created.
Hi, Jerry,
Good eye.
That is a ’61 Door, look at the long C clip garnish molding aft of the window. With a 1″ longer door, you would need a ’61 or ’62 rear door jamb
And the globbed up fiberglass where the hood latches should be, also no pics of the under side rear of the hood, wonder how the hood latches down?
I wonder if this is that Frankenvette some one was building out of 4-5 diff c1 cars on CF many years ago? Glomming a bunch of parts/body sections togther?
I am AZDoug from CF
Because the seller is a hack. Pieces together Corvettes and puts lipstick on them.
So much for getting more input from NCRS members. My post on their Technical Discussion Board had 143 views by this morning but generated exactly zero responses.
Perhaps this ’56 Corvette was modified by GM to be a prototype body for a later model. Or maybe it was built as a gift for Queen Elizabeth who requested the ’59 doors and firewall for “safety reasons”. Or maybe… just maybe… it’s just a reconstructed wreck assembled in somebody’s garage over a long weekend. Who can really say?
58 to 62 corvettes were almost 2.3 inches wider, 9.2 inches longer. So I feel that the firewall is correct for a 56. Also, the doors appear to be correct for a 56. You would have to do a lot of chopping to get a 58/62 firewall in that car.
58 to 62 corvettes are 2.3 inches wider and 9.2 inches longer. I can’t see the hood latches, but other than that, the firewall and doors appear to be the same as my 57. Mine does have the generator and tach drive on the left, I also have the dual point distributor, so there is no door on the distributor cap. Also, the dash is completely different on the 58 to 62’s, in that they have a single hump for the speedometer and a grab bar on the right side.
“… I can’t see the hood latches, but other than that, the firewall and doors appear to be the same as my 57. …”
Warren, if the firewall adjacent to your master cylinder looks identical to the firewall of this ’56, I’d sure like to see a photo of your firewall. Could you post one? Also, please look at the interior door latch balls on your ’57. I bet they’re much higher than on this ’56. Chevy lowered the latch ball position on later Corvettes.
I own a ’56 and a ’62. The firewall of the eBay ’56 looks just like the one in my ’62. The firewall of my ’56 looks noticeably different next to the master cylinder and at the heater box interface.
As is typical of every Corvette from this seller that has been featured on Barn Finds. I don’t believe they have had a single Corvette for sale yet that does not have a ton of excuses with it. Somehow they stay in business. Each to his/her own.
They get free advertising
Caveat Emptor……
The most important sentence in the description: Chevrolet introduced side glass to the ‘Vette for this model year…
I see some rough fiberglass work on the top of cowl where the female hood latches should be, maybe some readers could explain how this kind of damage could occur. Also wrong exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, valve covers, carb & missing fan shroud. A folding top costs around $5000, I would think most folks would want one, the hardtops are heavy & need 2 people to take off & on.
Uhhh folks… 1955 was the first V8 265 190 hp
We know that the 265 came out in 55 but it was all that was available in 56 also as the 283 came out in 57. I don’t think this car has the original 265 anymore
Actually, the 55 was rated at 195HP.
I sorta liked the 53 and the 54 Vettes, more like for the 55, but this one really woke me up on the Vettes…. I still wouldn’t own a Vette, but I do like looking at these older models… much more character in the design.
Its a ‘pizza’ but still a kool cruiser.
I believe that the right side generator is correct for all early corvettes. And I am betting on that being a 350 in it now.
Or a stock 307 or a Later 283 327 2-barrel. the Valve covers are the giveaway
Corvettes in ’56 had a Carter four barrel carburetor, a picture of the engine number would tell us what it is.
when people ask the people you trust the least, before politicians comes used care sales people. Ya think?
As others have alluded it is a newer engine, much newer as in post EGR which was about 73 for the small block Chevy 49 State engine. Its also pre electric choke which I believe was about 75.
NO TACH DRIVE. No covering for the wiring, my oh my.. next…
Hub caps???…next…
Jerry is correct , it’s a bit’sa, some of this, some of that, with a 350 smog motor, egr block off on intake, no paint on motor other than Intake and valve covers, presents well, other then engine compartment,I give ’em that.
She is pretty to look at.
Driving this car will/would be a chore with the manual steering and drum brakes.
Pedigree? Not so much.