One of 6 original 1956 SR1 Corvettes..Anyone recognize this car? Picture taken in Florida in 1957 after setting the 1/4 mile speed record.
Joe Trybulec
Joe Trybulec
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
Black/Silver/Red
117.48 M.P.H
1/4 mi. standing start
New World Record
March 3, 1957
PS... original trophy still exists!Comment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
That's phenomenal! That's up in modern Z06 territory.
See: http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f8/wh...le-time-87461/
JimComment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
26 mph faster than the 1956 Daytona beach record set by John Fitch one year earlier
Probably a modified engine ..but early indications point to a very legit background.
Side scoops, Halibrand wheels and what appears to be an original SR1 short steering column look credible considering the photo date of March 1957.
More to follow.
JoeComment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
John
Here is what Road & Track had to say about a stock 57. I think it would have been tough to pick up 27 mph in a 1/4.
"The 283-bhp version was even more formidable, with Road & Track running the same test in a four-speed with the short 4.11:1 final drive in just 5.7 seconds; it breezed through the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds at better than 90 mph and sailed on to a maximum of 132 mph. Motor Trend took a version with the 283-bhp engine, dual exhausts, special cam, and solid lifters all the way up to 134 mph".
Bill Lacy
1967 427/435 National Top Flight Bloomington Gold
1998 Indy PacecarComment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
That's amazing. It takes a lot of HP and traction to get up to that speed in a 1/4, specially with the traction (tires), weight transfer and engine technologies available in that era. I made 108 mph w/57 post using a lot of traction inovation, HP and driver techniques in 1961, and that was very difficult. I used about 296 cu in, dual Caddy WCFB's, GY dbleagles ground smooth, and front up/rear down suspension mods for weight transfer.
There were a few factory hot rods floating around then, incl a 56 that I worked on for a friend that had a factory 301 cu in. The 56, for all intents and purposes, was probably one of the lightest of all V8 powered Vettes as well.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
Joe
Great find. The car has all of the features expected on a SR-1. This is the first black car and also the first known with cove color option. (Assuming not done by dealer)
RegardsComment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
When I enlarge the picture, it sure looks like the sign says 87.48mph to me.
Which, with a 265, short of having a blower or nitrous (NOS not known in those days), sounds MUCH MORE realistic.Comment
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Re: 1956 SR1..Anyone recognize this car?
Should be in KPH, unless they were using JATO assist. More like a top speed figure - sorry for being so sceptic, but I lived through the era and something like this was only in someones dream. My best ET slips can't approach this.
Stu FoxComment
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