1956 #1371 - Major project car

[Richard M.]

#1371 (371st 56 Corvette).

Anyone have any info about this car? I am it's new owner.

http://tinyurl.com/6qmzwm

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

So I'm thinking 57 Motorama (56)Super Sport..........

My pinched nerves in my cervical spine have improved, so I may be able to get back to my project work. I need to do something, I'm going crazy not being able to what I love to do.

I'm infatuated with the Super Sport. It's very mysterious. I know the present owner of the real Motorama car and may be able to duplicate much of it. It has many unique interior features very different from the stock interior. I've seen pictures of the actual restored SS and I think I could handle the work. The present owner did an outstanding job restoring it. It is absolutely gorgeous.

My car is missing much so I wouldn't have to go crazy with originality. No stock windshield may be an advantage. Hmmm, twin windscreens would be pretty cool!

Rich

ps Present (Motorama SS)owner gifted me a front nameplate tag so I have one piece of the puzzle already.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Rich;

Do you have any pictures of what it looks like now? Be nice to see what you're up against.

I know the stenosis back problem. I have it as well, but it's under control. At 69, it can only get worse w/o surgical intervention which I'm not yet willing to risk.

Stu fox

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Hi Stu,

I have seen pictures before the restoration and afterwards. It is outstanding. I have been invited to see the car in person at a future date.

I can tell you that the frame was bent, and restraightened. The picture of the bare frame wase sad. The owner is a meticulous person and saved the car. His story has it the car was taken for a joy ride many years ago by the son of the owners' property caretaker, lost it on a curve and took a tree/pole on the left side. For some reason I was absolutely taken by the cars history and completion results. I want one!

My stenosis is constant. I have perpetual numbness in my left arm but I'm learning to cope with it. Neck is sore often so I use traction(basically I hang myself in a doorway 3 times a day), to releive the pain. I too do not feel good about someone going in my neck to play around and risk spinal cord damage, which would put me down forever. Scarey thought.

Rich

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Hard to see which problems are the worst to deal with - the car or our aging bodies.

I had a Cervical Laminectomy (sp) back in 1990 and I had symptoms similar to yours, but mine was the right arm which had an intolerable ache to it. Basically, it was the nerves to the arm were being impinged where they exit the spine. That one went very well and the Doc said he took out all kinds of bone chips and spurs, etc. I still on occasion get the ache back when I stretch the nerves like from lifting a heavy suit case and I have to take a Dose Pak (prednisone) to knock it out. I too had tried to use the doorway device w/o much relief. One can't help but wonder if our past indiscretions are catching up to us - be it car wrecks or football.

Keep us posted on that SS. Sounds very interesting.

Stu Fox

[Craig L.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Rich, I just happened to catch your post and regarding your neck, I had the same problem with my right arm and was doing all the things you are doing, without much help. I had my neck fused about 1 1/2 years ago and it is like I never had a problem. The recovery was less then 6 weeks and I was back in the shop working. I had total pain free recovery in 2 to 3 months. Good luck if you decide to getter done, as it is a fairly safe procedure these days.
Craig

[John H.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

If you don't already have them, here are three more photos of the Corvette Super Sport for your collection.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Just what I was looking for. Great photos! I've learned that the side cove trims are a special width, a bit wider that stock units, and made of chromed brass. You can see that in the last 2 shots. I'm going to get more info from the real SS soon. Can't wait.

Thanks John!
Rich

[Loren L.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Irregardless of which path you choose, you are going to invoke the $$$$ Gods. It seem to me that the ONLY way you could recoup your $$$ is to build it as a stock '56. No one is going to pay a bonus for a copy.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 #1371 - Major project car

Hi Loren,

Valid point, I suppose I won't make my final decision until I get into it, however it'll likely be a 5 year project whichever path I take.

But in this case if I did recreate the SS, it wouldn't be for profit. I know the original will not be seen by anyone, anytime soon. The real car is a secret, and I expect if it is ever sold, it will go to a private collector as well. My idea is for the masses to see the "real thing", in duplicate form. I don't know why but I'm just overwhelmed with the Super Sport.

Rich