1956 Corvette Sebring Racer #7 VIN #E56S001009 owned by John and Sally Neas Tulsa, Oklahoma

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.

The five Corvettes at Sebring per FIA records and results were as follows:

The actual reason for No. 5 going out was the left rear wheel (Magnesium Halibrand) broke.

The No. 3 car which was a stock appearing car was on a 55 frame and had Chevrolet engineering background but was generally kept separate from the factory efforts of No.’s 1,5,6 and 7.

The engine in the No. 7 car expired after two hours and twenty-two laps.

After Sebring, the car was used as a test vehicle by Chevrolet and was owned and campaigned by Max Goldman. The car was raced at Elkhart Lake in the June sprints, Cumberland, and then Haven Hill Climb (Detroit area). It was the highest finishing Corvette in class at Elkhart Lake and Cumberland, and it set the record and won the Haven Hill Climb.

After the 1956 race season it was purchased and driven by Bob McLean who was in charge of experimental styling and was responsible for the 53 Corvette as well as the Corvette specials of the 50's and into the 60's.