1956 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster (LHD)

Description

Having first rolled off the production line in 1953, Chevrolet's Corvette has gone on to achieve automotive legend status and - more than five decades later - remains true to the original values of combining high performance and fabulous looks at a reasonable price. America's only true sports car was restyled for the first time in 1956 and the V8, hitherto an option, became standard equipment. The 265-cid motor received reworked heads, new ignition and headers, a higher compression ratio and a single four-barrel carburettor (with twin carbs an option), boosting horsepower to 195 at 5000 rpm. A four-speed manual gearbox was now standard, with the Powerglide auto optional and all sorts of high performance upgrades became available in 1956 thanks to the input of Zora Arkus-Duntov. All this did much to aid the Corvette's credentials as a real sports car and they began taking on - and beating - the Europeans on racetracks across America. The body was similarly improved, with a much better convertible hood mechanism. In total some 3467 Corvettes were built in 1956, making it one of the rarest model years of all, and each is now regarded as an American classic.