Get Ad-Free Access: Just $39/year
The 1956-1957 Corvette are distinguishable from later model C1 Corvettes because of the single headlight on either side of the car's front end.
1956 Corvette Sales Brochure

1956 Corvette - The Ultimate Guide

What could Chevrolet do to make the Corvette more appealing? What would it take to make the Corvette superior to the Ford Thunderbird in every aspect? As the Thunderbird had outsold the 1955 Corvette at a ratio of 23-1, this was a challenge that Chevrolet was prepared to commit their best resources to, ensuring that Corvette would never again fall so short of the competition.

1956 Corvette Special Editions

In 1956, Chevrolet took desperate measures and saved the model’s future by presenting an armada of motorsports variants in 1956. None of these was more successful than the SR prototype which placed 9th overall at the 12 Hours of Sebring and has since been credited with saving the model’s outright demise.

Duntov started off with a ‘54 Corvette as his test mule. He knew that accomplishing his goal would require two things: more power and improved aerodynamics. First, he removed the stock windshield and built a small windscreen. A tonneau cover was then added to the passenger side, and a fairing with a long fin was added to the rear deck behind the driver’s head.
If you were a senior GM employee, one of the perks was being able to have your own custom built for you. Bill Mitchell was known for it, but this SR-2 Lookalike was built for GM president Harlow Curtis, who was president of GM during the period that the SR-2 were developed. The lookalike was built by GM’s styling staff and presented to him.
SR 2 Corvette
Designed mid-1956 for Harlet Earl’s son Jerry, the SR-2 was put into racing duty in 1957. The car debuted at Daytona Beach in 1957 with a high-speed canopy, fender skirts and bullet-shaped frond headlights. Driven by Betty Skelton and Buck Baker, the car won the modified class with an average speed of 93.074 mph. The SR-2 also finished second in class for the flying mile with a top speed of 152.886 mph.
In 1956, Ed Cole, then General Manager of Chevrolet, decided Corvette could be saved from extinction due to lagging sales by promoting the car as a performance car which could be raced in production classes. The first of these Corvettes was to debut at Daytona Beach for acceleration and top end speed trials, the 12 hour race at Sebring, and also possibly Le Mans.

1956 Corvette Engines

Looking for information on the engines powering the 1956 Corvette? Look no further.

1956 Corvette Market & Sales Data

1956 Corvette auction and sales area. We share upcoming auctions, recent auction results, cool 1956 Corvettes we find for sale and commentary on the current market for the 1956 Corvette.

The Best Resource for 1956 Corvette News, Auctions, Reviews & Videos

Get all the latest news stories, upcoming auctions, prices, videos and more about the 1956 Chevrolet Corvette! The latest headlines here.

The first-generation Corvette, produced from 1953 to 1962, remains highly sought after by car collectors. The C1 Corvette embodies timeless American classic styling, exuding irresistible curb appeal. This ’56 Corvette has undergone a meticulous body-off restoration, resulting in its fantastic condition. This stunning example seamlessly combines modern and classic elements....
Duntov started off with a ‘54 Corvette as his test mule. He knew that accomplishing his goal would require two things: more power and improved aerodynamics. First, he removed the stock windshield and built a small windscreen. A tonneau cover was then added to the passenger side, and a fairing with a long fin was added to the rear deck behind the driver’s head.
1962 corvette
While there are some early C1 Corvettes out there that are exceedingly rare and prohibitively expensive, there are plenty of first-generation Corvettes - especially those between 1959 and 1961 - that are well within the range of most budgets.
FOR SALE: A Beautifully Restored 1956 Chevrolet Corvette Every once and again we discover an early C1-generation Corvette for sale that really captures our attention.  While these first-generation beauties vary in condition from an untouched, survivor-class Corvette found in a barn to a custom resto-mod that features a fusion of...
SR 2 Corvette
Designed mid-1956 for Harlet Earl’s son Jerry, the SR-2 was put into racing duty in 1957. The car debuted at Daytona Beach in 1957 with a high-speed canopy, fender skirts and bullet-shaped frond headlights. Driven by Betty Skelton and Buck Baker, the car won the modified class with an average speed of 93.074 mph. The SR-2 also finished second in class for the flying mile with a top speed of 152.886 mph.
1956 Corvette
Want to Know Which Vintage Corvette Will Be the Most Reliable? We Got You Covered. When the vast majority of individuals think of the Corvette, performance is often the first thought that comes to mind, and rightfully so. However, if your classic Corvette is intended for daily use, reliability is...

Activate Your Membership

The membership for serious Corvette enthusiasts and owners. Get access to premium content and a lightning fast experience, with no ads or annoying pop-ups. Your membership also supports the hard work and hundreds of hours our historians and writers invest in the site.