1956 265 cubic inch 225hp Chevrolet Corvette two top roadster in stunning condition throughout. Venetian red with beige coves and red vinyl interior, white convertible top and red hardtop.

This is an absolutely beautiful example of Chevrolet’s iconic sports car. Imported from Arizona in 1989 and typically for a car of this type has had very little use,  I have known this one since the mid 1990’s, and to my knowledge this lovely Corvette has never seen the show circuit.

It really doesn’t get much better than this. This is a well optioned car in immaculate condition. An extensive and well documented restoration was carried out in the mid 1980’s by Reed Restoring in Arizona with careful attention to detail and authenticity. Well maintained by the last UK owner of some 25 years. 

In 2014 the car was given a very thorough refresh at our workshops, this included a brake overhaul, carburettor overhaul and new fuel lines, front suspension work, a new aluminised dual exhaust system, rear wheel bearings, transmission reseal and new clutch and a lot more besides. We have just taken this a step further with new rear bumpers, exhaust surrounds, new grille teeth and wheel spinners.  We have also given the car a thorough check over and a full service and detail.

The exterior off this car is lovely, there are a series of photographs in the history folder showing the car in bare fibreglass displaying a very nice original body with no replacement panels, this in itself is a rarity, and any original body stands head and shoulders above a car made of aftermarket panels. Paintwork is still superb and no doubt was painted in the good stuff you aren’t allowed to use anymore…

All exterior trim is excellent, the cove trim fit is superb, as are all shut lines and panel gaps, bear in mind that these cars were still in the very early stages of production in a revolutionary new material so panel fit wasn’t the greatest, the panel fit on this car is better than new. All the chrome is flawless, the rear bumpers and exhaust surrounds/crescents are new, the grille teeth are new, and all very high quality. The paint finish belies its 30 plus years.

Wheels are the original welded rims correctly finished in body colour and well shod with recent reproduction Firestone wide whitewall tyres. Wheel trims are the originals in beautiful condition with new spinners. The wheel and tyre combination is just breathtaking.

We have replaced the grille teeth, rear bumpers and exhaust surrounds with high quality reproduction items, the rest of the chrome is perfect, as is all the glass and weatherstripping, the windscreen looks like a more recent replacement.

This was originally a hardtop only car, which is fine in Arizona, not so good in our climate, so in 2014 we installed a brand new convertible top frame and white soft top, along with all new weatherstripping and hardware, the top is still like new. The hardtop is in very good condition and is the original and correct hardtop with the 1956 only anodised header bow and a perfect red headliner.

It is the same story inside the car, seats, carpets, door panels are all very good, the steering wheel is just about perfect and these are often cracked, gauges all function as they should, even the clock, which was returned to the USA for rebuild. The dash in these real early cars is lovely, with its single binnacle for the speedometer and the matching binnacle for the radio speaker. The radio is the correct 1956 self seeking radio which functions perfectly, the self seeking feature is a thing of wonder and it is rare to see one functioning correctly, every time I do it blows me away! 

Power windows are another nice option, with only 547 of the 3467 56’s produced getting this box checked, and they work perfectly. The correct trunk liner is installed along with a perfect spare wheel and tyre, and also the correct jack and brace.

Underneath the car is super clean, and exactly what you would expect of a car like this, theres a lot of superficially ‘restored’ cars out there that are little more than a nice paint job over greasy underpinnings, rest assured, that is not the case with this automobile. Everything is A1, we have just fitted a new oilpan gasket and changed the oil, I have removed all the drums and inspected the brake linings and wheel cylinders, all are perfect. The exhaust system was replaced in 2014 with a dual aluminised system with off road mufflers, this is the nicest sounding exhaust available for these early Corvettes and the sound of this car is just Wonderfull. The transmission was resealed at the same time and a new clutch installed, the clutch is lovely and light and the transmission shifts very smoothly.

Like it or not, numbers are important on cars like this. GM didn’t stamp the VIN number on the engine block until late 1959/early 1960 so a prospective buyer needs to tread with some caution here. I have checked all the relevant numbers as follows:

1956 Chevrolet Corvette VIN E56S004060 August 1956 build

Engine block casting number 3720991 denotes 1956/7 265ci 2 bolt main bearings

Engine suffix F56GR denotes 1956 225hp 3 speed 2x4

Cylinder heads are 3731554, 1957-1966 283 1.72 intake 1.5 exhaust - it is conceivable that a car as late as this in the model run was fitted with 1957 heads, either that or the heads have been replaced at some point.

Intake manifold casting number 3731394, carburettors 2419S and 2362S front and rear respectively, dual point distributor 1110879, all correct for 1956.

As far as matching numbers go thats about as conclusive as it gets, there is an extensive list of this cars part numbers in the restoration file that list the cars components, even down to the starter motor, wiper motor and voltage regulator. Make no mistake, this is a very correct car.

The engine bay itself is very nice indeed. It looks just like it should and whilst not brand new presents extremely well and would put most others to shame. A lovely engine bay is probably one of the things that turns me on the most and this one does not disappoint. The carburettors and air cleaners are correct, perfect ignition shielding hides the correct distributor. We even replaced the fan belt with a correctly numbered item. It is all just very lovely!

There is an extensive history folder with restoration photographs, invoices, and a November 1989 Classic Cars magazine featuring this car on the front cover. 

I could go on and on about just how lovely this car is. I think you would be looking a long time to find a car that delivers the overall package any better than this. I can arrange transport to any mainland UK destination including all ports. I will gladly show you the car on a ramp so you can see underneath and I will take another Corvette in part exchange. This is a collector quality solid axle Corvette that is priced sensibly and will delight the buyer for many years to come.

Please call 01263 739944 or email info@corvetteuk.com for more information or to view.