Detailed Restoration to NCRS Standards: 1956 Chevrolet Corvette
Restored is a word that gets thrown around a lot in the collector car community, but the definition of the word varies depending on who you ask. Some think new paint and interior means restored, while others think it means you have to get to the point that the body is off the frame to qualify. The National Corvette Restorers Society, however, has manuals that outline every tiny detail that a proper Corvette restoration should have. This 1956 Chevrolet Corvette for sale on eBay in Andover, Kansas is a car that seems to have a great many of these specific details. From marks on the frame to proper date codes, the restorer of this Corvette knows at least two vocabulary words: restoration and meticulous. With just three bids and sitting at $53,100, is there a chance that one of our readers could end up with a near-perfect early Corvette at a price that is surely lower than what it took to get the car to this point?
The one thing that makes a proper Corvette restoration costly and time-consuming is the volume of information available concerning these cars. The National Corvette Restorers Society prints exhaustive judging manuals for Corvettes that concisely break down date codes, finishes, part numbers, and even the spots that should have a rough, orange peel finish on some cars. A Corvette with a high point total in NCRS judging shows an amazing amount of dedication on the part of the restorer. Think of how many dollars spent and hours of investment and effort it would take to get a Corvette restoration to the point where it would be indistinguishable from a car fresh off the assembly line the year it was made.
While it doesn’t appear that this Corvette has been judged yet because there are a few minor items to finish, it is obvious that the intent of the restoration was for it to be as perfect as possible. According to the seller, the car was purchased in the early 1990s and was placed in storage until 2010. It was in that year that a frame-off restoration of this 1956 Corvette was started. Most of the parts are said to be original. There are, however, some new old stock parts and a few are authentic General Motors restoration parts. It has a new dated windshield and door glass, a properly dated newly manufactured convertible top, and numerous other original and properly reproduced items throughout. Most interesting is the Onyx Black paint with silver coves. The car was shot in lacquer paint, and there are still three gallons of sprayable paint that goes with the car.
The car also has all-new brakes, brake lines, and wheel bearings. The master cylinder and wheel cylinders have also been prepped for trouble-free use by sleeving them with stainless steel to minimize corrosion issues. The original three-speed transmission has been rebuilt. However, someone must have been thinking of driving the car, as it has a Muncie four-speed installed currently. While the gas tank is new, it bears the O.A.L. stamp as the originals did.
The attention to detail and correctness also extends to the wipers and the windshield washer. The wiper motor is accurate for a 1956 Corvette and is functional, and the wipers begin to work when the washer is pumped by foot. The horns are functional, and they are originals as well. All of the lights and turn signals work, the parking brake works and still has a functioning alarm, and all of the gauges are functional and correct. Inside the upholstery is new as well.
Under the hood is a matching number engine that has been rebuilt. While it would take the better part of a year to type out the individual part numbers for the engine components and accessories and cross-reference them with the NCRS guides, the seller kindly listed the numbers in the ad for buyers to research. The engine is said to start immediately when cold and has a slight lope to it due to the cam having a similar profile to the famous Duntov cam, which was one of the original speed parts available for the small block V-8 after its 1955 debut.
In all, this is a spectacular car that just needs some help crossing the finish line. As always, especially with a car of this quality, consulting with an expert would be wise. Corvettes are simple in execution as a design but are insanely complicated if you are looking for a car that is NCRS perfect. Hopefully, this beautiful 1956 model goes to someone who appreciates all the work that has gone into it but still manages to use it once in a while.
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Comments
This is truly a show piece. With all correct NCRS correct parts it will go for $100k. Due to the value and correctness it cannot be driven if you want to maintain the value as noted that it sat from 1990 to 2010. Beautiful car.
I disagree !! You can certainly drive the car on a limited basis and maintain its value … it’s not a low miles survivor where adding miles would reduce its value ..a properly maintained car driven sparingly is the best kind of collector car to buy. A car with no use has many issues that need to be addressed.
I do not have experience with Corvettes but I do have tangential experience with super-high-end restorations like this. They are, essentially, rolling works of art. I realize that most people in the car collecting hobby don’t understand this facet and mindset, in fact they sometimes mock it. But there are those who are most interested in absolute accuracy of finishes, markings, etc., plus meticulous detailing. For them, this is their passion.
The cars typically aren’t driven beyond a trip around the neighborhood or perhaps to a local show, only under pristine weather conditions. Just look at the suspension detailing above; keep it clean as long as you can. Mostly the cars just go into and out of the enclosed trailer, for trips to major car shows.
Agreed … only thing I can tell you for certain, is that 53K isn’t even in the same area code as the ballpark for this beauty.
Bob, good points made here. I would even expand upon it by saying that the same thing is often applied to low mileage originals under long time ownership.
I know someone who has a ’72 Z/28 that he has owned since ’73 and it is very very original. He will not drive it, even to a local show, if there is even the slightest hint of moisture.
Car ownership is a very individual experience.
So did I miss something? What is the size of the engine? I think the 283 was the only V8 offered that year but I’m not a big Corvette buff. The ad states that the the cylinders were over bored and hypereutectic pistons installed. So that’s allowed under the standards for a restored Corvette?
1956 Corvettes came with 265 CI engine… 283 came in 1957
Restoration standards have loosened a bit over the years!!!~
Those eight-barreled pots will suck the gas, but who cares!
Looks like a 3 speed gearbox. 4 speed didn’t come until late 1957 or 1958 (accounts vary).
Perfect Corvette for those fair-weather weekend trips from your truck/trailer over to your spot in the show and back again.
Passed on the twin to this car maybe 10 years ago. Not as pristine, but definitely showable and driver ready. Asking was less than this will go for, but I was not in a financial position to take advantage. I still look at the house and garage where I saw whenever I pass. Beautiful example.
Dang….just got outbid at $56,000……
I am certainly not a Corvette expert, but I think this car could be a very good buy!