1956 Corvette Fact Sheet
The Corvette is Now
a True Convertible!
The Corvette was no longer a “roadster”, that is, a car without side windows and a stow-away top. The new
car was a true convertible with built in windows and a real retractable top.
General Year Information
Many people would have been perfectly content if Chevrolet had frozen Corvette styling with the 1956 model. No longer a “roadster”, that is a car with no integral windows and top, the new car was a true convertible with built-in windows and a regular convertible top. (Much of these new features were borrowed from the aborted 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 sports car). As viable options, both the top and the windows could be power operated.
The “Blue Flame” I-6 was history and the Chevrolet “Small Block” V-8 in various power configurations would be the sole engine offering through 1964.
A 225 horsepower 1956 Corvette could go from 0 to 60 M.P.H. in 7.3 seconds; from 0 to 100 M.P.H. in 20.7 seconds. Sales rebounded to 3,467 units and Corvette could compete with Thunderbird on an option and convenience basis. It still lagged behind Ford’s two-seater by a wide margin – Thunderbird sold 15,631 units in this year.
In 1956 Zora Arkus-Duntov became the director of high-performance vehicle design and development for Chevrolet.
Models Offered
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Though Corvette marketing still called the car a “Roadster” it was now a full convertible, sealed from the outside elements by roll up windows and a true fold away convertible top. The designers worked overtime to change the look of the car while really not changing the body to any great degree. It can truly be said that the 1956-1960 Corvette was a “customized” 1953-55.
Although the same basic grille was kept, there were new front fenders with chrome rimmed headlights now found in the normal position, external door handles, chrome outlined concave side body sculpturing (called a “cove”) used to break up the flat sided body, and sloping, taillight-integrated rear fenders.
Biggest changes in the performance area was canceling of the I-6 and the addition of two optional two 4-barrel V8s – one at 225 HP V-8 and another “competition” version at 240 HP. The 3-speed manual transmission was standard, with the Powerglide now as the option. The optional 240 HP V-8 also came with a special close ratio 3-speed manual transmission.
The dash layout remained the same as in the past. Upholstery colors were limited to beige or red, but six lacquer finishes were available: Onyx Black; Polo White; Venetian Red; Cascade Green; Aztec Copper and Artic Blue.
Engines
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Overhead valve V-8. Cast iron block. Displacement: 265 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.25:1. Horsepower: 210 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 270 @ 3200 RPM. Solid Lifters. Camshaft Timing: Intake 266 degrees; Exhaust 268 degrees. Lift: 0.4043″. Five main bearings. Carburetor: Carter Type WCFB four-barrel Model 2419S.
Optional V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 265 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.25:1. Horsepower: 225 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 270 @ 3600 RPM. Solid Lifters. Camshaft Timing: Intake 266 degrees; Exhaust 268 degrees. Lift: 0.4043″. Five main bearings. Carburetors: 2 Carter Type WCFB four-barrels, Model 2419S (front) and WCFB-2362S (rear).
Optional Camshaft – Standard transmission V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 265 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.25:1. Horsepower: 240 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 260 @ 3500 RPM. Solid Lifters. Camshaft Timing: Intake 287 degrees; Exhaust 287 degrees. Lift: 0.4043″. Five main bearings. Carburetors: 2 Carter Type WCFB four-barrels, Model 2419S (front) and WCFB-2362S (rear).
Engine ID Suffixes were as follows:
- “GV” – 265 cubic inch V-8 with Synchromesh
- “GU” – 265 cubic inch V-8 with two (2) four-barrel carburetors and high-lift camshaft
- “GR” – regular 265 cubic inch dual four-barrel V-8
- “FK” – 265 cubic inch V-8 with Powerglide
- “FG” – 265 cubic inch V-8 with Powerglide and dual four-barrel carburetors.
Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 102.00″
- Overall length: 168.00″
- Front tread: 57.00″
- Rear tread: 59.00″
- Tires: 6.70 x 15
Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1956 Corvette
| Arctic Blue | |
| Aztec Copper | |
| Cascade Green | |
| Onyx Black | |
| Polo White | |
| Venetian Red |
Significant Options
-
- Power top ($100).
- Power windows ($60).
- Windshield washer ($11).
- Detachable hardtop ($200).
- Signal seeking AM radio ($185).
- Heater ($115)
Power Train Options
-
- Close ratio three-speed manual floor shift transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission ($175.0).
- V-8 265 cubic inch 225 horsepower dual four-barrel carburetors engine ($175.0).
- V-8 265 cubic inch 240 horsepower dual four-barrel engine ($160).
- Available rear axle gear ratios: 3.27:1 (11-36) and 4.11;1 (9-37)
1956 Corvette Production Figures
-
- Corvette Series Number: VE-2934-8
- Corvette Body Number: 2934
- Body Style: 2-Door Convertible – 2 Passenger
- Factory Base Price: $3,170.00
- Shipping Weight : 2,870 lbs.
- Total Production: 3,467
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1956 Corvette Roadster
While still called a “Roadster” the 1956 Corvette was now a convertible. It featured a new body, with real glass roll up windows and a more substantial convertible top. In a 5 times production jump, 3,467 were delivered.
1955-56 Rear Fascia Comparison
The rear fascia has one major change, but it changes the entire look. Removing the jet-like tail lights and smoothing the fenders and inserting the lights inside trailing edge. And moving the exhaust to the fender pontoons gives the illusion of greater width.
1955-56 Front Fascia Comparison
The front fascia changes are small but significant. Extending the front fenders out to mimic the typical GM headlight position gave the car a 50s US car look. removing the vertical bumper bars under the headlights and positioning the parking lights just above, widened the appearance. The inset cove makes the car look lighter and smaller.
1956 Corvette Interior
Unchanged from 1955 on the dash panel, the rest of the interior showed many upgrades – most being in the doors, seats, and the top storage area.
1956 Corvette 225-240 HP V-8 Cutaway
The work of Zora Duntov, the twin 4-barrel 265 CID V-8 came in two flavors: 225 HP standard and 240 HP “Competition” where the latter came with the first iteration of the famous “Duntov Cam”