1956 Sebring Racer

In 1956, Ed Cole, then General Manager of Chevrolet, decided Corvette could be saved from extinction due to lagging sales by promoting the car as a performance car which could be raced in production classes. The first of these Corvettes was to debut at Daytona Beach for acceleration and top end speed trials, the 12 hour race at Sebring, and also possibly Le Mans. The effort succeeded in setting records at Daytona, a class win and reasonable finishes at Sebring, and a significant increase in sales which helped preserve the Corvette as the American sports car.

This car was purchased on February 1, 1956, by Chevrolet Engineering from Chevrolet St. Louis and delivered through Don Allen Chevrolet in Miami, Florida. Frank Burrell then drove the car to Sebring for modification into race configuration. This car appears to be the only factory production 1956 Corvette to participate in the race. The other cars utilized 1955 frames with prototype or production bodies.

The car was modified with a number of RPO options which included: 37 ½ gallon fuel tank with special quick fill; shortened steering column; heavy duty front and rear springs; 3/4" front sway bar; special shocks with Houdaille dampers on the rear; Halibrand magnesium quick change wheels; Firestone Super Sports 170 tires in 670 15 and 710 15 sizes; Bendix cerametallic brake lining and finned drums; Lyeth Engineering limited slip differential; and an enlarged rear wheel house. Also unique to the car are the special air intake scoops for the rear brakes, the early metal “elephant ear” scoops, plexiglass windscreen, and passenger side canopy cover.