1956 Corvette

The 1956 model Corvette was a turning point for the direction of the Chevrolet Corvette. The 53-55 Corvette model years had many flaws that the public could not get passed. Along with a high price tag around $3500, which was nearly twice the cost of a typical family sedan, and being outsold at a ration of 23-1 by the Ford Thunderbird, General motors was on the brink of bringing the Sports Car to an end. The passion of Harley Earl would not allow that to happen and he plunged headlong into addressing all the issues surrounding the C1 model years. A full scale model of a new Corvette design that Harley had finalized and introduced to GM's management was immediately approved. The result was the 1956 C2 corvette, and from that year on the design and performance would cement the Corvettes long history, although there were a few hiccups along the way, as a serious racetrack contender and American Sports Car.