56 vs later 57 rear leaf spring hanger

[Jake M.]

I'm trying to triangulate on what my July '56 should have.
The judging book shows that all 56 had the 53-56 version, and in 57 started the new 57-62 version.
rear-leaf-hanger.jpg

However, Mid America's reproduction site states early 56 got the 53-56 and late 56 got the newer 57-62 version.

I asked a fellow '56 owner, whose car is 1 week newer than mine, his has the 57-62 version.

thoughts?

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 vs later 57 rear leaf spring hanger

Jake,

What's the VIN on your '56 and the stamp on the frame?

Suggest you read further in the Chassis section of the JM, such as the Frame Stencil paragraph.

Gary
....

[Jake M.]

Re: 56 vs later 57 rear leaf spring hanger

my '56 vin is 3579 which equates to a born on date of July 20th, 1956

It's not completely clear even after reading the stencil section.
56-57-stencil.jpg

I don't fully understand what this means:
Several late 1956 Corvettes with their original frame stencils have been confirmed with 1957 frames stenciled as 303190-40 with a mid June 1956 date.
What does the mid June 1956 refer to? The VIN/car born on date? Isn't the only difference between the early 1957 frames and 1956 is just the hanger?
Or does this mean starting mid-June 1956, the 1957 frames started to appear?

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 vs later 57 rear leaf spring hanger

Jake,

Final Monthly Serial Numbers JM section should answer your question regarding type of rear spring hanger.

Frame Stencil section; "with a mid June 1956 date" references the Frame Stencil date.

1956 VIN 4200 is the earliest I've seen with the 1st generation '57 frame.

Gary
....

[David B.]

Re: 56 vs later 57 rear leaf spring hanger

Design Engineering changes to early 3711527 frame was completed 5-26-56. Prints clearly specify new frame assembly 3733595 is identical to 3711527 except as noted changes. There was a multitude of changes made to this frame starting in 1952 thru 1962.