Chevrolet Introduced the Corvette in 1953
The end of the 1955 model year left Chevrolet executives questioning the direction in which they should take the Corvette. After all, they had addressed the issue of performance by introducing the small-block V-8 engine and a 3-speed manual transmission as options for consumers to include in their cars.
For more: 1956 Corvette Research Guide
1956 Corvette Specifications
1956 Corvette Main Specs
| MODEL: | 1956 Chevrolet Corvette |
| BODY STYLE: | Two-door convertible, front-engine, rear wheel drive |
| MANUFACTURING LOCATION: | St. Louis, Missouri |
| CONSTRUCTION: | Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, steel frame with steel and chrome structural & chassis components. |
| VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): | E56S001001 THRU E56S004467 |
| VIN PREFIX: | FG: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FK: 265 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GR: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION GU: 265 CUBIC INCH, 240 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION GV: 265 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION |
| ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: | 3720991: ALL |
| HEAD NUMBER: | 3725306: 265 CUBIC INCH, 210 HORSEPOWER, 225 HORSEPOWER (2-BOLT EXHAUST MANIFOLDS) 3731762: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225 HORSEPOWER, 240 HORSEPOWER (3-BOLT EXHAUST MANIFOLDS) |
| CARBURETOR NUMBERS: | CARTER 2362S #3720953: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225/240 HP (REAR CARBURETOR) CARTER 2366S A #3733246: 265 CUBIC INCH, 210 HP CARTER 2419S #3730599: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225/240 HP (REAR CARBURETOR) |
| DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: | 1110872: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225 HORSEPOWER (EARLY PRODUCTION) 1110879: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225 HORSEPOWER (LATE PRODUCTION) |
| GENERATOR NUMBER: | 1102043: ALL |
| STARTER NUMBER: | 1107627: ALL |
| PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: | AUGUST, 1956: 003844 |
1956 Corvette Engine & Transmission
| ENGINE: | 4.3 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, 1×4 Barrel Carburetor |
| BLOCK MATERIAL: | Cast Iron |
| VALVE TRAIN: | OHV, 2 valves per cyl. |
| TORQUE: | 270 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm |
| MAX. ENGINE RPM: | N/A |
| DISPLACEMENT: | 4.34 Litre/265 Cubic Inches |
| CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: | Cast Iron |
| FUEL DELIVERY: | Single 4 Barrel Carburetor |
| RECOMMENDED FUEL: | N/A |
| BORE: | 3.75 x 3.00 inches |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 8.00:1 |
| HORSEPOWER: | 210 HP @ 5,600 RPM |
| EST. MPG: | N/A |
| TRANSMISSION: | 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD), 2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL) |
| STANDARD AXLE RATIO: | 3.70:1 |
| ENGINE: | 4.3 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, 2×4 Barrel Carburetor |
| BLOCK MATERIAL: | Cast Iron |
| VALVE TRAIN: | OHV, 2 valves per cyl. |
| TORQUE: | 270 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
| MAX. ENGINE RPM: | N/A |
| DISPLACEMENT: | 4.34 Litre/265 Cubic Inches |
| CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: | Cast Iron |
| FUEL DELIVERY: | Dual 4 Barrel Carburetors |
| RECOMMENDED FUEL: | N/A |
| BORE: | 3.75 x 3.00 inches |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 8.00:1 |
| HORSEPOWER: | 225/240 HP @ 5600 RPM |
| EST. MPG: | N/A |
| TRANSMISSION: | 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD), 2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL) |
| STANDARD AXLE RATIO: | 3.70:1 |
1956 Corvette Car Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions | Interior Dimensions | ||
| Wheelbase: | 102 Inches | Headroom: | N/A |
| Overall Length: | 168 Inches | Shoulder Room: | N/A |
| Total Body Width: | 70.5 Inches | Hip Room: | N/A |
| Overall Height: | 52 Inches | Leg Room: | N/A |
| Front Track Width: | 56.7 Inches | ||
| Rear Track Width: | 58.8 Inches | ||
| Capacities | |
| Passenger Capacity: | 2 Passengers |
| Curb Weight (LBS/KG): | 3,020/1,370 |
| Cargo Volume (CU.FT/LITERS): | N/A |
| Fuel Capacity (GALLONS/LITERS): | N/A |
| Engine Oil Capacity (QTS./LITERS): | 5.5 |
1956 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes
| Wheels & Tires | |
| Front Tires: | 6.70 x 15 inch, 24 psi. |
| Rear Tires: | 6.70 x 15 inch, 24 psi. |
| Front Wheels: | Steel disc with safety rims. 15 x 5k |
| Rear Wheels: | Steel disc with safety rims. 15 x 5k |
| Suspension | |
| Front: | Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, antiroll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers. |
| Rear: | Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers |
| Brakes | |
| Front: | Hydraulic Drum Brakes. 11 inch drums |
| Rear: | Hydraulic Drum Brakes. 11 inch drums |
1956 C1 Corvette Performance
| Published Track Test Performance Results | |
| 0-30 MPH: | 2.9 Seconds |
| 0-60 MPH: | 7.4 Seconds |
| 0-100 MPH: | 20.8 Seconds |
| Quarter Mile: | 15.90 Seconds @ 88.0 mph |
| Top Speed: | 129 MPH |
