Photo: Fantasy Junction
1956 was a year of many changes for the first-gen Corvette. The straight-six was dropped in favor of the small-block V8, the body was redesigned from the ground up, painted coves were introduced, the doors received roll-up windows, and the passenger seat could move fore and aft.
Only 3,467 units were produced that year, which makes the 1956 Corvette pretty darn collectible. Chassis number E56S003304 is one of the nicest survivors out there, a numbers-matching car optioned with the dual-quad intake and three-speed manual transmission. A pair of four-barrel carbs feed the 4.3-liter engine, which cranks out approximately 225 HP.
Originally sold to Elmer Engstrom, who served as president and chief executive officer of RCA in the '60s, the car was returned to the dealership after just 600 miles (965 kilometers). The second owner, Milton W. Green, restored the vehicle in the 1970s, then gave the Venetian Red ‘Vette to his niece.
Refurbished once again in 1999 with 56,841 miles (91,476 kilometers) showing on the odometer, the open-top cruiser retains the original carburetor tags and carburetors, distributor tag, engine block, heads, and intake manifold. Including comprehensive mechanical work such as the clutch, wheel bearings, radiator, and brake system, the second restoration exceeded $30,000 or $47,125 in today’s money. But wait, there’s more!
Under current ownership in 2013, the car was extensively reconditioned with 58,475 miles (94,106 kilometers) on the clock. Fully documented by countless invoices and hand-written notes, the rust-free roadster is offered by Fantasy Junction at $85,000 with the period-correct Wonder Bar radio.
The Corvette currently shows 58,692 miles (94,456 kilometers), which isn’t a lot for a car that’s been so well maintained throughout its life. As expected, the powerplant “starts easily and settles into a smooth idle” as per the listing, “burbling just a hint of more performance with the factory dual-quad setup.”
Accompanied by the original New Jersey license plates and California license plates from the 1950s, this four-wheeled time capsule will inevitably go up in value in the coming years because it’s a blue-chip collectible.
Originally sold to Elmer Engstrom, who served as president and chief executive officer of RCA in the '60s, the car was returned to the dealership after just 600 miles (965 kilometers). The second owner, Milton W. Green, restored the vehicle in the 1970s, then gave the Venetian Red ‘Vette to his niece.
Refurbished once again in 1999 with 56,841 miles (91,476 kilometers) showing on the odometer, the open-top cruiser retains the original carburetor tags and carburetors, distributor tag, engine block, heads, and intake manifold. Including comprehensive mechanical work such as the clutch, wheel bearings, radiator, and brake system, the second restoration exceeded $30,000 or $47,125 in today’s money. But wait, there’s more!
Under current ownership in 2013, the car was extensively reconditioned with 58,475 miles (94,106 kilometers) on the clock. Fully documented by countless invoices and hand-written notes, the rust-free roadster is offered by Fantasy Junction at $85,000 with the period-correct Wonder Bar radio.
The Corvette currently shows 58,692 miles (94,456 kilometers), which isn’t a lot for a car that’s been so well maintained throughout its life. As expected, the powerplant “starts easily and settles into a smooth idle” as per the listing, “burbling just a hint of more performance with the factory dual-quad setup.”
Accompanied by the original New Jersey license plates and California license plates from the 1950s, this four-wheeled time capsule will inevitably go up in value in the coming years because it’s a blue-chip collectible.
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