This car has had a fresh “FRAME OFF” restoration with approximately 200 “break in miles” to date. 

EVERY single “driveline component” on this car from the Carburetor to the rear-end & everything in-between is brand new and/or rebuilt to like new condition. The motor starts instantly and runs silky smooth with excellent acceleration and the shifts, breaking, and handling are all like that of a new 56 Vette with “57 Vette upgrades”. 

It is EXTREMELY expensive to restore a 1956 Corvette to this level.  

There is a DIFFERENCE in these cars. Please take time to VIEW all the photos and READ the additional “information” that is embedded in many of the PHOTOs. There are 90 high resolution PHOTOS as well as two VIDEOS that document the extent of the restoration. 
 

Ultra rare 

Only 3,467 Corvettes were built in 1956 compared to almost TWICE this amount in 1957. Only 1,043 were painted in stunning VENETIAN RED. 1956 Corvettes in “this condition” rarely come up for sale, and when they do, you usually see $100,000 asking prices. Own and enjoy an iconic piece of automotive history at a guilt free price. 

2 motors & 2 Trannys with the car: 

The goal was to keep the car very “vintage Corvette correct” but NOT be limited to the driving experience of a  totally stock 1956 driveline (ie 265, two 4bbl’s, 3-speed “driveline”). 

Installed in the car for “improved DRIVABILITY” is a period correct high performance 220 hp 283 with a 57 Corvette “single” 4bbl intake, topped with the correct early type WCFB Carter 4bbl. The transmission installed in the car is a 4-speed T10 – 7D Borg Warner out of a 62 Corvette.  

For a little extra power the rebuild incorporated the famous “double hump” 2:02 high performance heads that came on the early 327’s. Of course the car has the period correct distributor, ignition shielding, generator, radiator, metal vacuum and gas lines, etc-- all vintage Corvette signature pieces. 

The 283 and 4-speed transmission currently in the car were options that became available in 1957 and were considered by all to be a marked improvement in drivability. I seriously doubt anyone would ever want to replace the super sweet driveline now installed in the car, however, the car does come with ultra hard to find 1956 “Corvette correct” components listed below (all from the same motor and all in GREAT shape): 
 

Extra 265 “Corvette correct” block / heads / crank / ETC 

These components would allow for a higher score in “NCRS judging” should that ever be a goal of a future owner.  

• 265 Corvette correct ENGINE BLOCK part number 3720991 dated K75 and stamped 0078595 F56GL (the block has been baked, shot peened & magnifluxed and have NO cracks, wields, or damage anywhere and the block is still “standard bore”).
• 265 Corvette correct HEADS part # 3725306. (the heads have been baked, shot peened & magnifluxed and have NO cracks, wields, or damage anywhere and they come with their original valves, springs, keepers, & retainers).
• 265 forged steel CRANKSHAFT part # 3735236 which is correct for 1956 Corvette ( NO spun bearing anywhere and the crankshaft is still standard on the rods & mains & will polish just fine, or just have turned .010 .010 at the machine shop to be like new again).
• FLYWHEEL part #  3703870 which is correct for 1956 Corvette …. very hard to find.
• Corvette WATERPUMP part # 3704911 already rebuilt and finished for install with the correct flat black plate and screws.
• ALSO included is a 3-speed transmission out of a 1958 passenger car.

2 TOPS come with the car 

The car comes with BOTH tops. The “hardtop” has been restored and comes with its own rolling storage rack and cover. 

The convertible top has not been restored and is NOT mounted on the car. It has been removed and the old original material has been striped off of it. The top bows are in good shape but will need to be freshened up and you will need to purchase a new canvas top if you want to use the soft top. 
 

Brief history highlights of the 56  

Following this summer of 1956 performance, Chevy's ad department touted the triumph in national ads calling the Corvette, 'The Real McCoy”! 

Chevrolet went racing with the 56 Corvette and was rewarded with excellent success. It started in January 1956 when John Fitch set a production car record of 145 MPH at Daytona Speed Week. He then drove a stock 1956 Corvette at the NASCAR speed week Flying Mile event in Daytona, setting a speed record of 145.543 mph. 

The 56 Vette beat their competition at top speed. The Jaguar XK-120 was capable of 130 mph, and the Mercedes gull-wing 300SL could do 140-146 mph. At Daytona on the sandy beach the Corvette ran two certified runs that averaged 150.5 miles per hour.   

The 56 Corvette was able to climb to the top of the 12.5 mile “Pike’s Peak” in a record 17 minutes and 24 seconds. 

Many consider the 1956 Corvette as the breakthrough year that established the vehicle as an American icon and as a legitimate performance machine.  The new body was stunning with flashy chrome teeth in the front, scalloped flanks, and curvy trunk area.  The interior was fashioned into a cockpit-like style with bucket seats and a body-colored frame that divided the passenger space.  For the first time, a removable hardtop was offered as an option. 

The new 1957 Corvette mirrored the '56 in appearance, but on the inside a new four-speed manual transmission, the great T-10, was available for the first time. Growing to 283 cubic inches, the standard Corvette engine now achieved 220 horsepower through a single four-barrel carburetor. (…. this is the driveline configuration installed in the 56 Vette offered for sale here. Simply put, it is a marked improvement in drivability).  

Value 

It will only continue to go up in value.