1956 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Roadster

• Partially restored in the USA in 2015 (bills available)
• Shown at the Goodwood Revival Meeting in 2017 and 2018
• Desirable manual transmission
• Modern seatbelts installed
• Maintained by US car specialists DAS Services of Lymington

Back in 1953, Chevrolet's launch of a two-seater sports car was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on the 1952 EX-122 show car, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear and a shortened chassis frame, around which was wrapped striking Harley Earl-styled glass fibre coachwork. Motive power came from Chevrolet's 235.5ci (3.8-litre) overhead-valve straight six and, unusually for a sports car, there was automatic transmission, a feature that attracted much adverse criticism at the time.

Intended as competition for the T-Series MG, the Corvette cost way above the target figure, ending up in Jaguar XK120 territory, but with an inferior performance. Sales were sluggish initially and the model came close to being axed, surviving thanks to Chevrolet's need to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. A V8 engine for 1955 and a radical re-style for '56 consolidated the 'Vette's position in the market, the model going on to become the world's best-selling and longest-lived sports car. Innovations for 1956 included wind-up glass windows with power lifts optional, and external door handles and locks.

One of 3,467 Corvettes manufactured in 1956, this example was registered in Indiana, USA for many years before undergoing a partial restoration while in the care of previous owners William and Barbara Cooper of Rochester, New York (documentation available). Undertaken in 2015, the aforementioned restoration included an extensive mechanical overhaul (bills available). More recently, the Corvette has been maintained by US car specialists DAS Services of Lymington. The car is said to retain its original engine while the only modifications notified are modern seatbelts (installed by DAS Services in 2017) and a discretely mounted priming pump designed to fill the large carburettor after a period of inactivity, likewise installed by DAS (details and receipts on file).

Shown at the Goodwood Revival Meeting in 2017 and 2018, the car is described by the private vendor as in very good condition throughout, the engine starting every time. Offered with a history file, V5C Registration Certificate and a Corvette C1 owner's manual and parts catalogue.