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Generation: C1 Year: 1956 VIN: 1955 chassis #194. Race Numbers: 1 Ownership: Chevrolet Engineering Sponsors: Chevrolet Drivers: Zora Duntov for Speed Week Flying Mile Feb 22,1956. John Fitch drove at Sebring in March 23,1956. Status: restored Original Color: white Tires/Wheels: 15 x 5.5 Halibrand originally, but changed back to stock 15 x 5 steel. 6:70 / 7:00 x 15 FIRESTONE Super Sport 170 Engine: Modified 307 V8 Driveline: German ZF 4-Speed Top: NA Interior: BEIGE, red carpet Condition: Restored by John Baldwin URL: Unique Characteristics: There are many questions and opinions about race Corvettes at Daytona Speed Week the week of Feb 22, 1956. Basically, there were five Corvettes entered. This car, engineering # 6901 built on a 55 chassis #194 that was powered by a special 307 cu. inch V8, and ZF 4-Speed transmission. Also a modfied 53 chassis car. A new 1955 chassis #1399 used the old 54 body from engineering #5951 which was the V-8 test and brake car. It may have had #16 on its doors with a red painted 56 style cove and NASCAR Stickers attached. Two other 56 body engineering cars #6903 and 6905 with production 265cu inch , 3 speed drivelines were the two original designated cars. Smokey Yunick had very close ties to NASCAR, Bill France and Ed Cole and Smokey did work on the early 50's Corvete racing program. Exactly what car, and what race in 1956 and 57 needs to be researched more, but I can tell you Smokey was involved with SEBRING and DAYTONA in 1956 and 57 and may have prepared this car in his shop. Modifications: This car set practice records in January of 150.583 certified by NASCAR prior to February Speed Week. In February, officials were upset with the Halibrand mag wheels and high fin, so Chevrolet removed the items and returned the car to a more production appearance. Duntov ran 147.30 on Feb 22, 1956. Duntov said the sand conditions were not as good as January. This car later raced as the 1956 #1 car at Sebring in March 56 and finished 9th overall and 1st in class in B / Modfied. John Fitch and Walt Hansgen were the drivers at Sebring. On May 4 and 5,1956 Paul Goldsmith did an ACCEPTANCE TEST at GM's Desert Proving Ground HIGH SPEED OVAL in Mesa, Arizona. He was instructed to drive the course 10 laps each at 110 mph, 120 mph, and 130 mph. Then five laps each at 140 mph and 150 mph. Day two , runs were to be flat out. Goldsmith was timed at 157.27mph on his best flat out run. A letter of repermand was filed with Goldsmith and Corvette Engineering for going excessive speed at DPG, as it was a test tract....not a race track. Notes/Race History: Registry ID Number: 105 View Original Size  GM Media Photo |