1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

[Tom W.]

This evening I had the pleasure of reading my friend John Fitch's book "Racing Corvettes, The Early Years". Upon finishing I called John to clarify the differences between his #1 car and the other cars related to exterior and interior modifications. Unfortunately John admitted he just doesn't recall that type of detail.
It appears that the most significant body differences are the elimination of the grille teeth and replacement with a hardware cloth screen. The front bumpers are removed. The bumperettes are replaced with driving lights. On the side of the car it appears that no cove moldings are present. The door handles are removed. The front fender has the identification lights added. A brake cooling scoop at the rear quarter is added.
The rear of the car has no exhaust chrome with the dual exhaust exiting below the rear valance. No trunk lock is present and license bracket is eliminated. One detail that perplexes me is the tail lamp. It looks like the chrome bezel was removed using only a red lens.
All cars had Halibrand wheels,Flip top gas filler, windscreen,passenger cock pit covers in white, dual blue stripes,blue coves,front and rear emblems, and the license light that illuminates the rear number.
Does anyone have a photo or info that definitively clarifies the following unique features of the #1:
1.Were side moldings removed or simply taped over?
2.What is the color of the blue paint stripes/coves?
3.Were the tail light housings removed or painted/taped to match body color?
4.What was the interior color? Was it stock or modified like the other examples on the #1 car?
5. What was going on in the engine compartment other than 307 cubic inches?
6. What version of white body paint was used?
In Fitch's book page 17 has a great picture of him entering the car from a LeMans style running start. But both the tailamp and cove either have a shadow or "ghost lines" that raise the issue of components removed or tightly taped similar to headlamps and driving lights.
Thank you for your help.
Tom

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

This evening I had the pleasure of reading my friend John Fitch's book "Racing Corvettes, The Early Years". Upon finishing I called John to clarify the differences between his #1 car and the other cars related to exterior and interior modifications. Unfortunately John admitted he just doesn't recall that type of detail.
It appears that the most significant body differences are the elimination of the grille teeth and replacement with a hardware cloth screen. The front bumpers are removed. The bumperettes are replaced with driving lights. On the side of the car it appears that no cove moldings are present. The door handles are removed. The front fender has the identification lights added. A brake cooling scoop at the rear quarter is added.
The rear of the car has no exhaust chrome with the dual exhaust exiting below the rear valance. No trunk lock is present and license bracket is eliminated. One detail that perplexes me is the tail lamp. It looks like the chrome bezel was removed using only a red lens.
All cars had Halibrand wheels,Flip top gas filler, windscreen,passenger cock pit covers in white, dual blue stripes,blue coves,front and rear emblems, and the license light that illuminates the rear number.
Does anyone have a photo or info that definitively clarifies the following unique features of the #1:
1.Were side moldings removed or simply taped over?
2.What is the color of the blue paint stripes/coves?
3.Were the tail light housings removed or painted/taped to match body color?
4.What was the interior color? Was it stock or modified like the other examples on the #1 car?
5. What was going on in the engine compartment other than 307 cubic inches?
6. What version of white body paint was used?
In Fitch's book page 17 has a great picture of him entering the car from a LeMans style running start. But both the tailamp and cove either have a shadow or "ghost lines" that raise the issue of components removed or tightly taped similar to headlamps and driving lights.
Thank you for your help.
Tom

Try contacting John Baldwin who owned and restored the car...now in the hands of a collector...in Ohio.

[Tom W.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Thanks Joe,
I went to the membership roster under John Baldwin and there wasn't a listing. Any idea on how to reach him?

Tom

[John N.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

This evening I had the pleasure of reading my friend John Fitch's book "Racing Corvettes, The Early Years". Upon finishing I called John to clarify the differences between his #1 car and the other cars related to exterior and interior modifications. Unfortunately John admitted he just doesn't recall that type of detail.
It appears that the most significant body differences are the elimination of the grille teeth and replacement with a hardware cloth screen. The front bumpers are removed. The bumperettes are replaced with driving lights. On the side of the car it appears that no cove moldings are present. The door handles are removed. The front fender has the identification lights added. A brake cooling scoop at the rear quarter is added.
The rear of the car has no exhaust chrome with the dual exhaust exiting below the rear valance. No trunk lock is present and license bracket is eliminated. One detail that perplexes me is the tail lamp. It looks like the chrome bezel was removed using only a red lens.
All cars had Halibrand wheels,Flip top gas filler, windscreen,passenger cock pit covers in white, dual blue stripes,blue coves,front and rear emblems, and the license light that illuminates the rear number.
Does anyone have a photo or info that definitively clarifies the following unique features of the #1:
1.Were side moldings removed or simply taped over?
2.What is the color of the blue paint stripes/coves?
3.Were the tail light housings removed or painted/taped to match body color?
4.What was the interior color? Was it stock or modified like the other examples on the #1 car?
5. What was going on in the engine compartment other than 307 cubic inches?
6. What version of white body paint was used?
In Fitch's book page 17 has a great picture of him entering the car from a LeMans style running start. But both the tailamp and cove either have a shadow or "ghost lines" that raise the issue of components removed or tightly taped similar to headlamps and driving lights.
Thank you for your help.
Tom

Tom
The four team cars had rear brake scoops. The Number 1 car did not have side stainless at Sebring and may not have had it at Daytona (maybe Joe can confirm that). The car never had the scoops on top of the front fenders. It was a prototype body on a 55 frame. I believe the exhaust pipes exited under the rear body. The other three had a side exit 2 1/4" exhaust which was also used on the June St Louis built SR-1s. The No.1 car had different interior in red with seat bolsters (sp) with a long ZF four speed handle. It had some different guages. The other cars had beige, with some variations. The No 5 & 6 car had blue stripes on the cockpit cover. The No 1 car had a number of motor modifications, All cars had two fuel line feeds (Bendix electric pumps) The tool kit (bag) in the No1 car may have been Snap On and disapeared the night of the race, may now be reunited with car, the other cars had Herbrand (sp) tools. The tool bags were fastened to the pass floor board to comply with FIA rules. The lights on the right front fender were color coded so the team would know which car was coming into the pits. All cars had a Lyeth Engineering Limited Slip diff. My opinion is that the white paint was the standard white. These were some of the features of the cars.
Regards

[Tom W.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Hi John,
Thanks for your reply. The added details you've provided are great. Between you,Joe Trybulec, and John Baldwin, I just may be able to construct an accurate #1 tribute car. I hope to see your cars someday.
My wish list includes the rear KO axle assemblies. Were the axles Halibrand? Were they basically the same as GM other than the KO drive plate and hub, or did the Lyeth differential require something different? I need the flat spinners too. Any body making these or are there some out there?
Other interesting things I learned...the speedo was the tach,no radio,small gauges were functional, no tail light housings, no bumpers,hardware cloth replaced the grille,Houdaille auxillary shocks, four leaf rear springs, no door handles or lock mechanisms.
Oh yeah...what is the color code for the blue stripes and coves?
Tom

[John N.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details


Interior of #1 1956 Sebring Team Car

[Steven B.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Hi John,
Thanks for your reply. The added details you've provided are great. Between you,Joe Trybulec, and John Baldwin, I just may be able to construct an accurate #1 tribute car. I hope to see your cars someday.
My wish list includes the rear KO axle assemblies. Were the axles Halibrand? Were they basically the same as GM other than the KO drive plate and hub, or did the Lyeth differential require something different? I need the flat spinners too. Any body making these or are there some out there?
Other interesting things I learned...the speedo was the tach,no radio,small gauges were functional, no tail light housings, no bumpers,hardware cloth replaced the grille,Houdaille auxillary shocks, four leaf rear springs, no door handles or lock mechanisms.
Oh yeah...what is the color code for the blue stripes and coves?
Tom

Tom, there is a set of Halibrands in The Driveline for $80,000.00 (!!!!! eek) with KO's and axles. Accurate repros. from:
www.psvintagewheels.com

Good Luck!

Steve

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Interior of #1 1956 Sebring Team Car

Notice the short steering column..

John & John & Lauren are three of only a handful of people I know that can recite the details of a 1956 Sebring car with such precision..off the top of their head.

High John Neas..how have you been?

You should have seen me tooling around Hong Kong last week in the 63 split window coupe..what a deal. Since it is a left hand drive..one needs a special permit to drive the car on the streets of Hong Kong.

Eryck Su the owner is a great guy and takes excellant care of the car.

Joe

[John N.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Notice the short steering column..

John & John & Lauren are three of only a handful of people I know that can recite the details of a 1956 Sebring car with such precision..off the top of their head.

High John Neas..how have you been?

You should have seen me tooling around Hong Kong last week in the 63 split window coupe..what a deal. Since it is a left hand drive..one needs a special permit to drive the car on the streets of Hong Kong.

Eryck Su the owner is a great guy and takes excellant care of the car.

Joe

Joe
Have been doing fine. I am getting the NHRA 1967 & 1968 Top Fuel World Championship Bennie Osborn car ready for the Cacklefest at Bowling Green in June. I have been though three 392 cranks and still looking for a good crank. Also assembling the 58 motor for the 58 big brake car. Great picture of your Hong Kong Corvette.
Regards

[Tom W.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Hi Steven,
I guess if you had a real Sebring car missing axels and wheels that might be a bargain.
Tom

[Steven B.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Hi Steven,
I guess if you had a real Sebring car missing axels and wheels that might be a bargain.
Tom

Tom, I believe the purchase price at McDorman's was $22,000. P. S.'s repros are pretty good.

Steve

[Tom W.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

I gave up on trying to figure out what the value of anything rare is. Seems like people are confident when it comes to investing in good cars. You can't blame them, money in the bank doesn't perform, and a person can enjoy this stuff.
Are the P.S.Eng wheels aluminum or magnesium? John Baldwin told me there is a guy that makes cast magnesium wheels. I don't think he meant Phil Schmidt.
Thanks for the notes.
Tom

[John N.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

I gave up on trying to figure out what the value of anything rare is. Seems like people are confident when it comes to investing in good cars. You can't blame them, money in the bank doesn't perform, and a person can enjoy this stuff.
Are the P.S.Eng wheels aluminum or magnesium? John Baldwin told me there is a guy that makes cast magnesium wheels. I don't think he meant Phil Schmidt.
Thanks for the notes.
Tom

Tom
I do not believe that the McDorman wheels and axles (with the possible exception of the front hubs) are correct for a 1956. Please note that the 1956 Sebring wheels differ from the 1956 St Louis SR-1 wheels. The Phil Schmidt wheels were aluminum in the past. (have four sets for street use) If you find who makes cast magnesium wheels, please let me know.
Regards

[John N.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Interior of #1 1956 Sebring Team Car

Please note the preproduction horn button. Who can identify the guage in the normal tach location?
Regards

[Loren L.]

Re: 1956 Sebring Corvette #1 Details

Hi Steven,
I guess if you had a real Sebring car missing axels and wheels that might be a bargain.
Tom

To me, only if you could prove that those particular wheels were on the car - then, If I'm really honest with myself - not at that $$ - I'll keep your address and tell the buyer where to find the fellow that claims to have the wheels. (please see Neas' note about the wheels.)

But I must insist that my initial reaction is that this is a BULL**** post, that has no meaning except to confound. Surely Member 1232 knows that there is no tag/code showing a blue racing stripe and coves. Why build a "Tribute" car when it appears reasonable to suppose the original exists?

With a #1232 membership #, have you not read the articles regarding
these cars? "Hardwear cloth" replaces the grill? "No door handles"?

In this case, the "Tribute" factor would include so many hand-built, unduplicated parts, etc. that would prohibit this build.

By the way, if you proceed, be sure you start with a 1955 Corvette frame.

Educate us with our errors.