C1 - 1953-1962
C2 - 1963-1967
C3 - 1968-19821956 Corvette
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The 1956 model saw a major styling change. With the exception of the instrument panel which was nearly identical, the 1956 model year was visually completely different and featured roll-up windows with power assist optional, external door handles with locks, exposed headlights with chrome surround bezels (very early production Corvettes were painted) and a sculptured side cove which permitted two-tone paint combinations.
An auxiliary hardtop was offered as a GM option for the first time in 1956. Earlier model years had hardtops available from third party suppliers but not as an option from GM.
1956 total Corvettes built - 4,670
A 265-cid, 210-hp engine, manual 3-speed transmission, vinyl interior trim, and a soft top were included in the base price of $3,120.00.
| Corvettes Engines | 4,670 | Percentage |
| RPO 449 - 225-hp engine | 111 | 02.38 |
| RPO 469 - 240-hp engine | 3,080 | 65.96 |
| base 210-hp engine | 1,479 | 31.67 |
| Serial Numbers | |
| E56S001001 - E56S004670 |
Engine Identification
| Position | Character(s) | Description |
| 1-6 | Production sequence | 001001-004467 |
| 7 | F | Engine assembly plant |
| 8-9 | 56 | Model year |
| 10 | Size/HP/Fuel Delivery System/Transmission | FG - 265-cid 225-hp, automatic transmission GR - 265-cid 225-hp, manual transmission |
2x4 engine have aluminum rocker arm covers shown here with nine fins.
1956 V8 engines were not dated from the engine plant at Flint but rather
have the model year and application ID.
When no radio was ordered, the hole was covered with a radio hole cover.
Many incorrectly call this a 'radio delete plate' but you cannot 'delete'
what you do not order.
Engine Specifications - 265
| Bore | 3.750 |
| Stroke | 3.000 |
| Cubic inch displacement | 265 cid |
| Compression ratio | 9.25:1 |
| Horsepower | 210 hp @ 5200 RPM - 4bbl 225 hp @ 5200 RPM - 2x4-bbl (RPO 469) 270 hp @ 3600 RPM - 2x4-bbl w/special camshaft (RPO 449) |
| Torque | 270 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM (Torque values not listed for optional engines) |
| Carburetion | 4-bbl Carter WCFB - 2366SA #3733246 - 210-hp 2x4-bbl Carter WCFB * 2362S #3720953 225-hp/240-hp front 2419S #3730599 225-hp/240-hp rear |
The 6-cylinder engine choice was dropped in 1956. Two V8 versions of the 265 ci engine were available. The standard V8 came with a manual 3-speed transmission and rated at 210hp @ 5200 RPM. The second 265 ci V8 was often specified by Chevrolet as "dual four-barrel carburetor equipment," rather than a separate engine and rated at 220hp. A "Special High-Lift Camshaft) was optional with the 225hp engine only and although no "official" horsepower ratings were not published, the "unofficial" rating is 240hp. However the AMA Consolidated Specifications table in the GM Information Kit for 1956 Corvettes indicate 270hp @ 3600 RPM for the 2x4 engine with special high-lift camshaft. Of the 3,080 dual four-barrel engine quantity, 1,510 were equipped with the 3-speed manual transmission and 1,570 were optioned with Powerglide automatic transmissions.
The dual four-barrel carburetor air cleaners were buffed aluminum and had an oil-wetted, sealed filter element. A cast aluminum manifold was used on the 2x4 engine. The base 265ci engine had painted steel rocker arm covers while the 2x4 engine have nine-fin cast alloy rocker arm covers.
Regular Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Qty | Percentage |
| 2394 | Base Corvette Convertible | $3,120 | 3,467 | 100.0 |
| 101 | Heater | $123.65 | n/a | *** |
| 102 | AM Radio, signal seeking | $198.90 | 2,717 | 58.6 |
| 107 | Parking Brake Alarm | $5.40 | 2,685 | 57.9 |
| 108 | Courtesy Lights | $8.65 | 2,775 | 59.8 |
| 109 | Windshield Washers | $11.85 | 2,815 | 66.7 |
| 290 | 6.70 x 15 whitewall tires * | $32.30 | n/a | *** |
| 313 | Powerglide Automatic Transmission | $188.50 | n/a | *** |
| 419 | Auxiliary Hardtop | $215.20 | 2,076 | 44.7 |
| 426 | Power Windows | $64.60 | 547 | 11.8 |
| 440 | Two-Tone Paint | $19.40 | 1,259 | 27.1 |
| 449 | Special High-Lift Camshaft | $188.30 | 111 | 2.4 |
| 469 | 265-cid, 225-hp Engine (2x4 carburetors) | $172.20 | 3,080 | 66.4 |
| 471 | Rear Axle, 3.27:1 ratio | $0 | n/a | --- |
| 473 | Power Operated Folding Top | $107.60 | 2,682 | 57.8 |
* Images may be representation of the option
1956 Exterior/Interior Colors
| RPO | Color | Soft Top Color | Interior Color | Total | |
| Production | Percentage | ||||
| n/a | Onyx Black | White - Black | Red | 810 | 23.4 |
| 709 | Aztec Copper | White - Beige | Beige | 402 | 11.6 |
| 712 | Cascade Green | White - Beige | Beige | 290 | 8.4 |
| 713 | Arctic Blue | White - Beige | Beige - Red | 390 | 11.2 |
| 714 | Venetian Red | White - Beige | Red | 1,043 | 30.1 |
| 718 | Polo White | White - Black | Red | 532 | 15.3 |
1956 OEM Supplier Paint Colors
| Color | Valspar Code | PPG Code | DuPont Code |
| xxx - Onyx Black | K090 | 9300 | 99 |
| 709 - Aztec Copper | MW5602 | 21295 | 59297 |
| 712 - Cascade Green | MW5603 | 41973 | 59469 |
| 713 - Arctic Blue | L3728 | 11537 | 58245 |
| 714 - Venetian Red | MW5601 | 70694 | 59388 |
| 718 - Polo White | W1528 | 8011 | 57758 |
| Silver Metallic (cove color only) | MW5604 | n/a | 58559 |
| Shoreline Beige (cove color only) | MW5605 | 21054 | 57602 |
Interiors and exteriors were not coded to individual cars. In 1956 paperwork, code "std" was used for black exterior. All others, including two-tones were noted by "440" followed by one alpha character. Solid colors were denoted by letters "R" through "X" (excluding the letter "U"). Two-tones were denoted by the letters "A" through "G." The 1,259 quantity for code 440- two-tone paint breaks down to 223 Onyx Black/silver; 166 Aztec Copper/beige; 147 Cascade Green/beige; 172 Arctic Blue/silver; 431 Venetian Red/beige; 120 Polo White/silver.
Interiors for 1956 were 2,580 red and 887 beige. Wheel color with Polo White exteriors were dependent on interior color; red wheels with red interior and silver with beige interiors.
Painted coves were limited to two colors; Metallic Silver (515) and Shoreline Beige (744).
Mechanical Specifications
| Wheelbase | 102.0 inches |
| Track Front/Rear (inches) | 57.0 / 59.0 |
| Overall Length | 168.01 inches |
| Width | 70.46 inches |
| Height | 51.09 inches |
| Curb Weight | 2,730 pounds w/manual transmission 2,845 pounds w/automatic transmission |
| Coolant Capacity | 17.00 quarts with heater/16.00 quarts without |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.4 gallons |
| Oil Capacity | 5.0 quarts |
GM Heritage PDF file of specifications/options/etc.
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