S.O. Plate 1956 c1

[James G.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

vin 3814 is the race chassis Ronnie Steinman has. Found in California 1980-83 era.

[F W.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

I’m not sure I understand the importance of vin 3814 in relationship to my vin. Could you explain. Thank you.

[Dan A.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

LOREN and DAVID have the inside track. Hertiage Center may have more. I will ask.

The Heriage Center has been approached already.

[James G.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

I’m not sure I understand the importance of vin 3814 in relationship to my vin. Could you explain. Thank you.

Only that some special cars were built that week.

[F W.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

Thanks. I feel a little dense at times with all of
this information & hesitate to ask what might be the obvious.

[James G.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

E56s003840

Mike Hunt was a 56 and 57 Corvette expert. He researched the history of these cars in 1970's He believed your car was made August 8, 1956. Are you aware that in 56, vin #'s went from [last 4 digits ] 1001 thru 4467 So your car was really the 2840th car made of the 1956 models.

The first 56 production model was made Feb 1, 1956. Many early test and enginnering cars were made in January 1956 and before. Of the 5 Sebring Rce cars, 4 of them raced on 1955 chassis. Only one VIN 0009 was a true 56 Corvette. The race cars had special made ''new bodies'' The last was September 14, 1956.

[F W.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

No, I was unaware of the numbering. So, what is your conclusion based upon Mike Hunts research?

[Loren L.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

Sebring 1 used the prototype '56 Styling body (no fender scoops); source of #3's body remains unclear; #5 and 6 bodies were built ON THE LINE at St Louis minus windows, heaters, etc. WITHOUT FRAMES and bodies shipped to MI for fitment to the two late '55 frames; #7 was bought back from the Miami Chevrolet and essentially built at Smokey's Garage "because they had the parts for one more car". Of value to Tom, probably only to indicate that if the right people were involved in that time period, things happened.

[David B.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

#7 was built at Sebring

[F W.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

How many of these#s cars were built if #7 was built at Sebring?

[Loren L.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

It was "bought back" from the Miami dealer - close by and it had a 3 speed - and received the alterations made to the other cars in Florida, rather than being returned to Engineering in Michigan. "Built" is somewhat misleading - "modified" is probably a better word. There were 4 cars (1,5, 6 and 7) with direct links to Engineering/Cole and one (#3) sold by Doane Chevrolet (with definite Engineering links) to a VP of Victor Products (a '55 Corvette with modified '56 bodywork).

[F W.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

How is the #1, 2# etc.... assigned. By the date they were built, or is it a numbering system assigned by engineering, or how they have been identified and documented?

[Loren L.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

Tom, those are RACE #s assigned by Sebring according to engine cu. in displacement (largest first), NOT VINs. Engineering also assigned "Engineering ID #s" for internal record keeping.
Race 1 was '55 #194 (prototype Styling body - no fender scoops) and Engineering ID #6901; Race 5 or 6 was '55 #654 (other VIN unknown to me) and assigned Eng. ID #s 6903 and 6905; Race 7 was '56 #1009 and Eng. ID #6911; Race #3 was '55 #1024, and had, as far as I am aware, no assigned Eng. ID. You can end up wishing for a written program trying to follow along.

[F W.]

Re: S.O. Plate 1956 c1

Thanks for that information. I sometimes am on information overload with the task of obtaining a history on this car. Your input is greatly appreciated!