Chronology of Chevrolet Corvettes

Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to create web links
to this site, not to copy these pages to other web sites.
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vettehis/

vvv advertisement vvv
Subscribe to Vette Vues magazine
^^^ advertisement ^^^

References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.


1956

January 9
  • Regular production of the 1956 model Corvette begins. [269.47,203] (November 4, 1955 [453.24] [871.15])
January 11
  • The 1956 model Corvette is officially announced. [105.93] [110.15] [135.93]
January 19
  • The General Motors Motorama show opens in the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, running for nine days. The 1956 Corvette makes its debut. The Corvette Impala show car is displayed. [5.41] [37] [104.28] [259.201] [269.51,81] [288.74]
January
  • On the beach at Daytona, Florida, Zora Arkus-Duntov drives a 1956 prototype Corvette (3-speed manual transmission, 307-ci engine) to a new record speed of 150.583 mph (two-way average) for the Flying Mile. The Standing Mile record is also broken, at 91.69 mph. [5.42] [151.33] [161.45] [226.46a] [259.196] [260.23] [269.51] [318.13] [337.22] [518.37] [895.53] (Standing Mile 89.363 mph [237.28])
  • Based on the success at Daytona, Edward Cole announces Chevrolet would give factory support to a private team entering Corvettes at the Sebring 12-hour race in March. [269.131] (February [5.43])
(month unknown)
  • Zora Arkus-Duntov complains to Chevrolet management that the brakes are inadequate for racing, and safety at Sebring could lead to disaster. Duntov is re-assigned, and John Fitch is hired by Chevrolet to run the Sebring Racing Team. [269.133] [305.85]
  • The production Corvette heater is changed, taking air from the outside instead of recirculating interior air. [148.27]
  • The shift knob on production Corvettes is changed from white plastic to chrome-plated steel. [148.26]
February 13
  • Chevrolet issues a price list to dealers for the 1956 Corvette. The dual carburetor option is mandatory, as the single carburetor 210-hp engine is not yet available. [269.72]
February 18
  • In Daytona, Florida, the Daytona Speed Weeks races are held. A 1956 Corvette is the official pace car. Chevrolet enters five Corvettes: modified 1953, modified 1955, 1956 with 307-ci engine and four-speed transmission, and two stock 1956 models. Drivers are Betty Skelton, John Fitch, and Zora Arkus-Duntov.
    • In the Flying Mile, John Fitch is 1st in production class with a two-way average speed of 145.543 mph, a new record.
    • Betty Skelton is 2nd at 137.773 mph.
    • Zora is 1st in Modified class and overall at 147.3 mph. His downwind speed is 156 mph, second best to a Grand Prix Ferrari F1 by 1 mph.
    • In the Standing Mile, production class, Ford Thunderbirds win 1st and 2nd; John Fitch in a Corvette is 3rd at 86.782 mph.
    • Zora is 1st in Modified class and overall at 89.753 mph.
    [3.24] [5.42] [18.57] [23.40] [29] [42.34] [79.67] [90] [113.28] [132.27] [151.35] [161.47] [226.46a] [231.28] [259.196] [260.23] [269.111] [295.128] [512.71] [580.49]
(month unknown)
  • At the GM Styling department, Bob Cumberford, Tony Lapine, and Stan Mott make an unofficial survey of sports car people in the US, asking about the desirability of a 4-passenger sports car. Their proposed name for such a car is Mustang. Chief stylist Harley Earl tells them to stick to design work. [42.25]
  • Chevrolet paints the Corvette EX-87/5951 Harvest Gold, and gives it a green interior. The car and a stock 1953 Corvette are donated to NASCAR for a proposed sports car oval circuit. [522.27]
March 24
  • In Sebring, Florida, the Florida International 12-Hour Grand Prix of Endurance race is held, round 2 of the World Sports Car Championship. Raceway Enterprises of Dundee, Illinois, enters four 1956 Corvettes prepared for racing by Chevrolet.
    • Finishing 1st (only entrant) in Sports 8000 class, 9th overall, is the Raceway Enterprises #1 Corvette, driven by John Fitch and Walt Hansgen. The car has a 307-ci engine.
    • Finishing 6th in Sports 5000 class, 15th overall, is the Raceway Enterprises #6 Corvette, driven by Ray Crawford and Max Goldman. The car has 265-ci engine and 3.70-to-1 final drive.
    • Finishing 7th in Sports 5000 class, 23rd overall, is the Carl Beuhler #3 Corvette, driven by Don Davis and Robert Gatz.
    • Ernie Erickson and Charles Hassan drive the Raceway Enterprises #7 Corvette in Sports 5000 class. After 22 laps, the engine fails. The car has 265-ci engine, and 4.11-to-1 final drive.
    • Dale Duncan drives the Raceway Enterprises #5 Corvette in Sports 5000 class. After 3 laps, the driveshaft breaks. The car has 265-ci engine, high performance Duntov cam, and 4.11-to-1 final drive.
    Winner of the team prize is Corvette. [5.43] [19.39] [42.24] [79.67] [84.8] [104.29,151] [111.6] [132.65] [141.52] [161.49] [205.104] [231.28] [259.195] [260.23] [318.14] [337.29] [348] [356.23] [423] [512.73] [518.41] [585.96] (Crawford/Goldman win their class [3.25] [213.45] [269.131])
(month unknown)
  • Corvette engineers are shifted to assist with a new Chevrolet truck line, and the 1958 Chevrolet production car line. Work on a redesigned 1958 Corvette is shelved. [580.86]
April 6
  • Chevrolet issues a bulletin to dealers regarding the 1956 Corvette. The base 210-hp engine with single carburetor is now available, and the 225-hp dual carburetor is now optional. [269.72]
April 9
  • Chevrolet issues a new price list to dealers for the 1956 Corvette. The standard engine is 210-hp, with single carburetor. [269.73]

    vvv advertisement vvv

    ^^^ advertisement ^^^
April 11
  • Chevrolet sells the EX-122 Corvette to Russell Sanders, assistant Chief Engineer of Chevrolet. [360.9] [547.32] [697.45]
April
  • The following mandatory options are made optional: parking brake alarm, courtesy lights, windshield washer, hydraulic folding top mechanism. [111.5] [148.27]
April 22
  • At the Pebble Beach raceway in Monterey, California, the first race of the SCCA season is held. Chevrolet's advertising agency, Campbell Ewald, enters 1956 Aztec Copper Corvette #46 prepared for racing by Chevrolet. Richard Thompson leads most of the race with the car, but the brakes completely fail with two laps to go. A Mercedes 300SL passes to win; Thompson finishes in second place overall, first in class. [5.43] [84.8] [104.29] [213.48] [235.53] [260.24] [269.167] [337.23] [400.30] [423] [454.35] [580.52]
May
  • Harley Earl acquires a Jaguar D-Type car, and orders Chevrolet to turn it into a Chevrolet racing car. He gambles that Chevrolet will refuse, and propose building their own racer. [3.41]
May 21
  • The 1522nd 1956 Corvette is completed. This car is destined to become the first SR-2, for Harley Earl's son Jerry. [269.187]
May 22
  • The 1532nd 1956 Corvette is completed. This car is destined to become the second SR-2, for Bill Mitchell. [269.187]
May
  • Jerry Earl's stock 1956 Corvette is delivered to Chevrolet's Research and Development Center, to be modified into a racer (Corvette SR-2), with components and modifications developed by John Fitch and others racing at Sebring. [231.30]
  • Bill Mitchell orders a second Corvette SR-2 built for his own use. [23.41]
May 25
  • The 1636th 1956 Corvette is completed. This car is destined to become the third SR-2, for Harlow Curtice. [269.187]
May
  • General Motors president Harlow Curtice orders a third Corvette SR-2 for himself. This SR-2 is a stock 1956 Corvette, with the SR-2 nose and a center-mounted fin on the trunk. [23.42]
  • A manual top with hydraulic assist is made available as an option on the 1956 Corvette. [133.43]
June
  • At GM Styling Studio Z, a Jaguar D-type race car arrives, borrowed by Harley Earl from its owner, minus the engine. Engineers are instructed to install a Corvette engine, disguise the body, and prepare it for racing. [271.79]
June 15
  • The Chevrolet R&D Center completes the transformation of Jerry Earl's 1956 Corvette into a racer. It is designated "SR-2", for "Sebring Racer". The SCCA racing number 144 is painted on the car. [231.30] [269.189]
June 24
  • At the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, an SCCA race is held for C Production class cars.
    • Finishing 1st overall is the Corvette driven by Bark Henry.
    • Finishing 2nd overall is the Corvette driven by Fred Windridge.
    [269.203] [423]
  • At the Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, an SCCA race is held for B, C, and D Modified class cars.
    • Jerry Earl and Richard Thompson debut Earl's #144 Corvette SR-2 in racing. The initial race performance is disappointing, finishing 16th overall. Thompson considers the car overweight and underpowered.
    • Finishing 7th in S5.0 class and 10th overall is the Corvette driven by Max Goldman.
    [23.41] [42.36] [205.106] [231.30] [269.189] [423]
(month unknown)
  • The ex-Motorama Corvette EX-122 test car is rebuilt with a 265-ci V-8 engine, painted red, and given white seats. It is used as a courtesy car for 5,000 miles. [360.9]
  • GM Styling begins work designing a minor facelift for the Corvette in the Chevrolet Studio. [580.86]
  • In reaction to the Jaguar D-type conversion project, Zora Arkus-Duntov writes to management, proposing they design and build a special racing Corvette. [3.41] [271.79]
  • Jerry Earl takes his Corvette SR-2 back to the Chevrolet R&D Center, asking for modifications recommended by Richard Thompson, and to incorporate the specifications of the second SR-2 under construction. Changes include removing the fin from the middle of the trunk lid, adding an off-center high tail from the Corvette used at the Daytona speed trials, with an integrated headrest and rollbar. [42.36] [231.32] [325.36]
  • Chevrolet sells the EX87 Corvette, but with a 1956 body, automatic transmission, and stock engine. [259.198]
  • Zora Arkus-Duntov is named special design and development engineer at Chevrolet. [113.28]
  • At the Bonnevile salt flats races, George Hanson races a 1956 Corvette to 145.86-mph. [337.22]
  • The 39-millionth Chevrolet car is produced, a Corvette. [488.67]
July 7
  • At Beverly, Massachusetts, a 65-mile car race is held. Finishing 1st is the #111 Corvette driven by Richard Thompson. [269.203] [423]
July
  • Edward Cole replaces Thomas Keating as general manager of Chevrolet. Cole is also named vice president of General Motors. Harry Barr becomes new chief engineer of Chevrolet. [3.25] [5.44] [6] [213.48] [229.54] [289.80]
  • In New Hampshire, the Mount Washington hill climb race is held. A Corvette finishes third. [269.203]
  • In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the Giant's Despair hill climb race is held. A Corvette finishes fifth. [269.203]
  • At the Chevrolet Studio of GM Styling, work begins on a Corvette sports/racer for next year's race in Sebring. (This is the start of project XP-64, becoming the Corvette SS.) [25] [7] [110.79] [114.9] [579.73] [580.71] (XP-46 [3.41])
  • Edward Cole and other GM management first see a plaster model for the Sebring racer. [322.63] [329.36] [580.72]
August 7
  • Zora Arkus-Duntov's proposed racing Corvette is approved, and assigned project number XP-64. [271.79,199] [337.65]
August 11
  • In Bremerton, Washington, the Seattle Seafair Class C/Production race is held. Finishing 1st overall is the #106 1956 Corvette driven by Richard Thompson. [79.69] [104.151] [269.173] (August 12 [423])
August 13
  • Pilot line production of 1957 Corvettes begins. [271.180]
August 31
  • Harley Earl outlines the program for the XP-64. He directs that three identical vehicles be delivered by December 15. [271.79]
September 4
  • The second Corvette SR-2, for Bill Mitchell, is completed. It has a large headrest/fin, and twin small wind screens. [269.190] [271.45]
September 10
  • Chevrolet and Styling management review the XP-64 clay model. They decide to show the car at the New York Automobile Show in December. [271.79] [580.72]
  • At Chevrolet, the Car Design Advisory Committee meets, over two days. They decide that project XP-64 would be a competitive racing car with special frame, suspension, engine, drivetrain, and body. [271.76]
September 11
  • Edward Cole informs Bill Mitchell that the XP-64 would not be shown at the New York Automobile Show, but three race versions should be completed by early January for testing prior to the Sebring race. [271.81]
September 12
  • Authorization is given to complete a non-running seating buck for project XP-64. This will be used to determine location of pedals, instruments, etc. [271.81]
September 17
  • The XP-64 seating buck is shown to management. [271.81]
September 20
  • Production of 1956 model Corvettes ends, with a total of 3467 built. This is the first year that automobile manufacturers end production early, to have next year's models in dealer showrooms before the end of the year. [269.203]
September 21
  • Production of 1957 Corvettes begins. [271.9] (October 19 [453.28] [871.19])
October 1
  • Edward Cole assigns engineering staff to Zora Arkus-Duntov to construct four sports/racer test cars, the XP-64. [5.152] [269.220] [271.101] [329.37]
  • The first 1957 production Corvette rolls off the assembly line. [111.9] [148.28] [271.182]
October
  • General Motors first announces Ramjet Fuel Injection to the public. [454.43]
  • Chevrolet issues work order 17792 for two Corvettes for competing in sports car races. [764.48]
October 22
  • Rochester Products Plant completes the first production fuel injection unit, destined for a Corvette. [271.182] [565.52]
November 3
  • At the Palm Springs raceway, the last SCCA race of the season is held. Finishing 1st is the #106 1956 Corvette driven by Richard Thompson. The second place car was behind by only one second. [269.175] [454.38]
November
  • Richard Thompson, racing a Corvette, is SCCA C Production class points champion for the year, the first national title for the Corvette. [5.43] [133.12] [148.14] [337.24] [394.13]
November 16
  • Due to supplier difficulties in supplying sheet magnesium for the XP-64 body, it is concluded that only one XP-64 could be made for the Sebring race. [271.100]
November
  • Chevrolet builds two 1957 hardtop Corvettes for racing, with special and prototype parts. They feature fuel injected 283-ci 283-hp engines, and 4-speed manual transmissions. [213.48]
  • Chevrolet tests two Corvettes with fuel injection at the Sebring race track. [337.24] [580.61]
December
  • The XP-64 mule is completed, ready for testing. [271.199]
December 7
  • Two 1957 Corvettes race-prepared by Chevrolet are entered in the Governor's Trophy race in the Bahamas. Finishing 10th overall is the Corvette driven by William Mitchell. Warren Flickinger races the #3 Corvette. [213.48] [271.214] [423] [580.61]
December 9
  • The Nassau Trophy race is held in the Bahamas.
    • Finishing 1st in S8.0 class is the Corvette driven by Ray Crawford.
    • Finishing 1st in class is the #15 1957 Corvette driven by Richard Thompson.
    • Jim Jeffords races the #36 Corvette, but does not finish.
    • Dick Thompson and Fred Windridge race two other Corvettes.
    [423] [764.48]
December
  • A Corvette Super Sport is built from a 1956 model, as a show car (not like the other Corvette SS). [271.199]
(month unknown)
  • Zora Arkus-Duntov begins testing the XP-64 race car. The 283-ci engine has aluminum heads and fuel-injection, giving it 307-hp. [42.38] [79.69]

End of 1956. Next: 1957.

vvv advertisement vvv

^^^ advertisement ^^^

1951-1953 1954-1955 1956 1957-1958 1959-1960 1961-1962 1963 1964-1965 1966-1968 1969-1970
1971-1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
1982 1983 1984 1985-1986 1987-1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
1994-1996 1997-1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007-2009
2010-2019 2020-end


A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 1995-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vettehis/
Link to Ken P's home page.

vvv advertisement vvv

^^^ advertisement ^^^
History Timelines Postage Stamps Today in History
PCs Video Games Timeline Today
Amiga World Silly This Day
Apple Space Coins Sports
Commodore 64 Impacts Corvettes Disney
Processors Sports Cruise Ships USA
Corvettes Gambling Disney Music
World War II Weather Errors PC and Game
Sweden Earthquakes Novelties TV and Movies
A&W USA Births Finder Anniversaries
A&W Canada Deaths
Postage Stamps Dow Jones Coins Chevrolet Corvettes
Walt Disney Co. Television Timeline: Canada Timeline
Disneyland Cruise Ships Timeline: USA Racing Success
Walt Disney World Oak Island Timeline: World On Stamps
Disney Cruise Line Killing JFK Novelties Pop Culture
Canada coins On Stamps
USA coins Other
World coins Mug Shots(A&W)
Stuff For Sale

Privacy Policy

kpolsson.com does not collect or share personal information. I have better things to do. There are links to advertiser sites that are beyond my control, from which I may receive a placement fee or a sale commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.