1956 CORVETTE #001!

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2483 Available 1956 ChanceOf A Lifetime - The First 1956 Corvette- Serial Number 0001  
Description:

ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY! RAREST CORVETTE COLLECTION IN THE WORLD. THREE CORVETTES, 1955, 1956, 1957. EACH ONE IS SERIAL NUMBER 001 FOR THAT YEAR! THESE RARE INVESTMENTS HAVE BEEN TOGETHER AS A COLLECTION SINCE 1976.



THIS IS THE SECOND UNIT IN THE RARE CORVETTE COLLECTION- 1956 CORVETTE SERIAL NUMBER 001.

A fully-optioned “trouble-shooter” assembly prototype that also saw service at the Motorama show and, some believe, on the Daytona Beach test track, 1956 Corvette SN001 is singularly unique, due in large part to a fresh new body design and Chevrolet’s decision to make the Corvette a performance leader.

The ’56 Corvette was an almost completely new design that was literally sculpted in Chevrolet’s 10th floor design studio using the original full size 1953 clay model. The only original elements to survive the remodeling were the front grill, parking lights, and outside mirror. Although subsequent cars would be produced with the imitation cowl scoops, this car was built before their approval by Chevrolet’s upper management and is the only known production 1956 without them. Because the fiberglass body components had not yet been finalized, some of the panels in 1956 SN001 are hand-laid rather than press-molded. The body-color headlight rings are also unique.

The new ’56 interior was vastly improved, with restyled seats and door panels, a competition-style steering wheel, better shift linkage, roll-up side windows with optional power controls and swing-out door hinges. The convertible top was available with a hydraulic power mechanism for the first time.

The drive train was also redesigned by Zora Arkus-Duntov to make the Corvette name synonymous with performance. Chevrolet’s new 265ci V-8 engine was designated the car’s only powerplant, with a baseline 210hp. When fitted with high compression heads and inline dual 4-barrel carbs, it produced 225hp at 5200 RPM. This was also the first engine to use 9-fin aluminum “Corvette” rocker covers, steel ignition shielding and a dual-point centrifugal advance distributor. The transmission in 1956 SN001 is 3 speed manual transmission with the shifter mounted directly to the tail housing. Later production Corvettes utilized a three-speed close-ratio transmission. The rear axle in this car is a 1955 bolt-on rear-cover style with a 3.55:1 ratio; a solid-housing 3.70:1 unit was designated for production.

While not confirmed, it is part of the car’s lore that Duntov drove it to a record at the 1956 Daytona Speed Trials. Another story has it pacing that year’s Daytona 500; that too remains unconfirmed to this day.

1956 SN001 has been meticulously restored to its original matching-numbers condition and has garnered Top Flight NCRS and Bloomington Gold Standards Awards.

The car was owned by Michael Franzen of Big Bend, Wisconsin in the 1960s, then sold to James R. Marquis of Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1974. Thomas Harmer acquired the Corvette from Mr. Marquis in 1976, where it joined the other two #001 Corvettes.

Information:

- Gypsy Red with Polo White Coves

- Venetian Red Interior

- White Top

- 265/225hp V-8 2x4bbl

- 3 Speed manual transmission

- 3.55:1 rear end (1955 Spec)

Options:

101 Heater (’55 Style)

102 Transistorized Signal Seeking Radio

107 Parking Brake Signal

108 Courtesy Lights

109 Windshield Washer

290 6.70 x 15 – 4 Ply Black and White Tires

419 Auxiliary Hardtop

426 Electric Windows

469 Dual 4-Barrel Carburetor (225 Horsepower)

470 White Folding Top

473 Hydraulic Folding Top Mechanism

1956 SN001 was the 1956 Motorama Corvette


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