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Auction archive: Lot number 47

1956 CORVETTE ROADSTER

Auction 17.08.2006
17 Aug 2006
Estimate
US$100,000 - US$120,000
Price realised:
US$117,500
Auction archive: Lot number 47

1956 CORVETTE ROADSTER

Auction 17.08.2006
17 Aug 2006
Estimate
US$100,000 - US$120,000
Price realised:
US$117,500
Beschreibung:

1956 CORVETTE ROADSTER Chassis No. E56S003291 Engine No. 0525707F56GV Polo white with red interior and white soft top Engine: V8, 265ci, 210bhp; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: front, unequal length A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs. Brakes; front and rear drum. Left hand drive. Corvette sales in the period from 1953-1955 were hardly a runaway success, and making matters worse was Ford's introduction of the Thunderbird for 1955 which would steal the spotlight. Though some enthusiasts suggest that the Thunderbird was more style than substance, it did pack a V8 powerplant and in-vogue styling. The buying public were convinced, and the Blue Oval began T-Bird production with 4,000 orders already on the books - roughly the total of Corvette production for its first three years combined - and the manufacturer would go on to build in excess of 16,000 examples for the 1955 model year alone. As unsold inventory languished in Chevrolet showrooms across the country in early 1955, something had to be done, and that something would be the first major Corvette redesign which was introduced for the 1956 model year. Uncovered and boasting more prominent headlights, the conspicuous absence of fins, stylish coves on the body sides (available in silver or body color), and a new interior with roll-up windows, this revamping heralded a new generation of Corvette. The 1956 all-new design was created by Harley Earl, GMs Design Director. He came up with fresh new styling that was tasteful in an age of garishness, as well as sexy, low slung and distinctly American. The '56 styling was considered a masterpiece of sports car design. The car looked like the serious sports car it was and was dubbed 'America's only true sports car'. The chassis was heavily reworked by engineering wizard Zora Arkus-Duntov, and the result was a tightened up steering response and handling. The Corvette now had a quickness through turns to match its acceleration on the straights. The new car was powered by Chevrolet's superb 265ci V8 designed by Henry Barr and Edward N. Cole, which in normal tune developed 210bhp. With its second generation car Corvette began to make its mark in international competition - a Corvette finished ninth, to much acclaim, in the grueling 12 hours of Sebring in 1956. The example shown here is number 2,291 of 3,467 Corvettes produced for 1956. It is presented in Polo white over red interior with the optional metallic silver painted coves. Further it is equipped with a power folding soft top and a three speed manual transmission, and it is believed to have been originally sold new in Arizona. The restoration was completed circa 1996 to a very high standard and remains in excellent condition to this day. It retains what are believed to be all its original drivetrain components including correct date-coded engine block, carburetor, generator and rear end. Of course, the real reason for owning any Corvette is for the driving experience, which this one delivers in spades. The gearbox shifts smoothly while the engine pulls exuberantly all the way through the rev range. Predictably, the steering, brakes and handling follow suit delivering a tight, rewarding all around drive whether cruising the back roads or traveling in today's fast-paced interstate traffic. Accompanying the sale of this Corvette is a neatly organized notebook filled with information, photos of the car and of the casting numbers on major components, an owners' manual, and much more. Christie's is very pleased to offer this outstanding example and recommends serious consideration of this attractive beast.

Auction archive: Lot number 47
Auction:
Datum:
17 Aug 2006
Auction house:
Christie's
17 August 2006, Monterey, Jet Center
Beschreibung:

1956 CORVETTE ROADSTER Chassis No. E56S003291 Engine No. 0525707F56GV Polo white with red interior and white soft top Engine: V8, 265ci, 210bhp; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: front, unequal length A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs. Brakes; front and rear drum. Left hand drive. Corvette sales in the period from 1953-1955 were hardly a runaway success, and making matters worse was Ford's introduction of the Thunderbird for 1955 which would steal the spotlight. Though some enthusiasts suggest that the Thunderbird was more style than substance, it did pack a V8 powerplant and in-vogue styling. The buying public were convinced, and the Blue Oval began T-Bird production with 4,000 orders already on the books - roughly the total of Corvette production for its first three years combined - and the manufacturer would go on to build in excess of 16,000 examples for the 1955 model year alone. As unsold inventory languished in Chevrolet showrooms across the country in early 1955, something had to be done, and that something would be the first major Corvette redesign which was introduced for the 1956 model year. Uncovered and boasting more prominent headlights, the conspicuous absence of fins, stylish coves on the body sides (available in silver or body color), and a new interior with roll-up windows, this revamping heralded a new generation of Corvette. The 1956 all-new design was created by Harley Earl, GMs Design Director. He came up with fresh new styling that was tasteful in an age of garishness, as well as sexy, low slung and distinctly American. The '56 styling was considered a masterpiece of sports car design. The car looked like the serious sports car it was and was dubbed 'America's only true sports car'. The chassis was heavily reworked by engineering wizard Zora Arkus-Duntov, and the result was a tightened up steering response and handling. The Corvette now had a quickness through turns to match its acceleration on the straights. The new car was powered by Chevrolet's superb 265ci V8 designed by Henry Barr and Edward N. Cole, which in normal tune developed 210bhp. With its second generation car Corvette began to make its mark in international competition - a Corvette finished ninth, to much acclaim, in the grueling 12 hours of Sebring in 1956. The example shown here is number 2,291 of 3,467 Corvettes produced for 1956. It is presented in Polo white over red interior with the optional metallic silver painted coves. Further it is equipped with a power folding soft top and a three speed manual transmission, and it is believed to have been originally sold new in Arizona. The restoration was completed circa 1996 to a very high standard and remains in excellent condition to this day. It retains what are believed to be all its original drivetrain components including correct date-coded engine block, carburetor, generator and rear end. Of course, the real reason for owning any Corvette is for the driving experience, which this one delivers in spades. The gearbox shifts smoothly while the engine pulls exuberantly all the way through the rev range. Predictably, the steering, brakes and handling follow suit delivering a tight, rewarding all around drive whether cruising the back roads or traveling in today's fast-paced interstate traffic. Accompanying the sale of this Corvette is a neatly organized notebook filled with information, photos of the car and of the casting numbers on major components, an owners' manual, and much more. Christie's is very pleased to offer this outstanding example and recommends serious consideration of this attractive beast.

Auction archive: Lot number 47
Auction:
Datum:
17 Aug 2006
Auction house:
Christie's
17 August 2006, Monterey, Jet Center
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