Chevrolet Corvette C1 (1956)
Chevrolet Corvette C1, restored, with certificate, engine overhauled, elegant color combination (1956)
Overview
The provision is 5% + VAT of the sales price and at least 500 € + VAT.
BID HISTORY
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Start sellingChevrolet Corvette C1 (1956)
A 1956 Chevrolet Corvette C1 is for sale in Cascade Green with a turquoise and white two-tone paint job and a color-coordinated faux leather interior.
Highlights:
- Sought-after 1956 Corvette C1 with 4-speed manual transmission – the Corvette was first built in 1956 with a V8 instead of the underpowered six-cylinder engine
- With TÜV and H license plate
- Extensive restoration documented with around 400 photos
- Investment of approximately €120,000 according to the owner
- Current valuation report with a grade of 2 (10/2024)
- Original engine, completely overhauled
- Extensive report on this vehicle in the magazine "Oldtimer Praxis," issue 09/2025
- The following equipment:
- Soft top and hard top available
- Whitewall tires
- White folding roof
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Radio
General information about the vehicle
- Year of manufacture: 1956
- First registration: USA, 06/1956
- Location: 55124 Mainz, Germany
- Number of vehicle owners: unknown
- Restored
- Accident-free in current ownership
- Registered
- H license plate
- TÜV until 10/2026
- Ready to drive
Model history
The first generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, known internally as the C1, was built from 1953 to 1962 and is considered the cornerstone of the model series' subsequent success story. Originally presented as a show car, the Corvette went into production in the same year – technically simple, but with a big impact. The 1956 model year in particular brought important advances with a new design, removable hardtop, and revisions in technology and workmanship. The so-called "solid axle" generation, named after the continuous rear axle, developed from an initially poorly selling niche model into the iconic US sports car of the 1950s.
Facts
Exterior & Interior:
- Exterior color: Cascade Green (turquoise-white, two-tone paint)
- Interior: white faux leather upholstery
- White soft top
- Repainted: completely repainted during restoration
Engine and transmission:
- 4.3-liter V8 engine with 224 hp (165 kW)
- Engine overhauled
- Manual 4-speed manual transmission
- Last service: 10/2024
Mileage:
- Mileage: 319,089 km (read), approx. 5,000 km mileage since restoration
- Mileage verifiable: partially
- No service history available
Documentation:
- Vehicle documents
- Valuation report (10/2024, grade 2)
- Restoration documentation with approx. 400 photos
- Invoices for restoration
Tires, bodywork & underbody:
- Tires: approx. 90%
- Body: good condition with minor age-related signs of wear
- Underbody: good condition, no rust-through known
- Please view the photo gallery and videos for further insight into the condition of the vehicle.
Known defects:
- This is a fully restored vehicle. There are no known defects.
- Please view the photo gallery and videos for further insight into the condition of the vehicle.
Summary:
For sale is a restored Chevrolet Corvette C1 from the coveted year 1956 in the rare and attractive color combination Cascade Green with 2-tone paint. The restoration is documented by a complete photo gallery and all associated invoices. The vehicle has an H license plate, valid MOT until October 2026, and the revised original engine. The Corvette is ready to drive immediately and offers a true American driving experience with its classic style, whitewall tires, and 4-speed manual transmission.
Vehicle videos
Kickdown check
- Expert report available
- Kickdown photographer was on site
- Video of the vehicle available
- Main inspection
- Current service performed



Comments of this past auction
Netter Tippfehler von Bieter "Ratz"
Technik: Die Chevrolet Corvette C1 ist die erste Generation der Corvette. Der Wagen wurde von 1953 bis 1962 gebaut und in dieser Zeit mehrfach optisch wie auch technisch überarbeitet. Seit ihrem Erscheinen wurden viele Merkmale bis zur 7. Generation, der Corvette C7 weitgehend beibehalten. Dazu gehören unter anderem der 1955 eingeführte „Small-Block“-V8-Motor, die Glasfaserkunststoff-Karosserie und die vier typischen runden Heckleuchten, die 1961 eingeführt wurden. Die erste Corvette wurde auf der „Motorama“ im New Yorker Hotel Waldorf Astoria im Januar 1953 der Öffentlichkeit vorgestellt. Das Publikum reagierte positiv und ein halbes Jahr danach begann die Serienproduktion. Als zweites Serienauto nach dem in kleiner Stückzahl gebauten Woodill Wildfire hatte die Corvette C1 eine Karosserie aus glasfaserverstärktem Kunststoff. Außer der Gewichtsersparnis sprachen die größere Gestaltungsfreiheit der Designer und die schneller zu fertigenden Produktionswerkzeuge für dieses Material – anders wäre der zügige Serienstart nicht zu realisieren gewesen. An der ersten Corvette wurde sichtbar, was man aus den Originalteilen anderer Chevrolet-Modelle alles machen konnte. So wollte man den Preis niedrig halten, da man das Auto nicht von Grund auf neu konstruieren musste. Ursprünglich wurden drei Karosserievarianten als Prototypen gebaut: Der Roadster wurde die Corvette, der Fastback ging nicht in Serie und aus dem Sportsback (Kombi) wurde der Chevrolet Nomad. LG Tom