1956 C1 Question

[Allen W.]

Ok 56 and 57 guys help me finally answer a question I have about dash/cowl bracing. My 56 only has the following bracing. One brace/reinforcement on each side of the door hinge area and a single metal brace from the dash bottom lip to the firewall area( supports the vent lever mechanism page 1-10 of ST-12). Is this correct? If not please give me specific info on additional bracing so I can make intellegent inquiries for parts sources.

I know the 56/57 AIMS shows much extra bracing cowl bracing but the sheet date indicates this is for 7/57 adoption. This is kind of confirmed if one looks at Nolands C1 book page 139. The caption indicates this is for a 57.

If this extra bracing is just for 57's could some of you factory history guys give some background to why this was added?

Thanks in advance for the feedback

Allen

[mike mccagh]

Re: 1956 C1 Question

cowl/dash metal bracing came along in about may/ june of 57. its purpose was to reinforce the door pillar/hinge area . pre-brace 56/to mid 57 vettes experienced sagging of doors at hinge pillar. gm recognized the problem and added the metal reinforcements. i've looked a quite a few non-reinforced 56 and mid 57's whose doors dropped up to 3" as the latch came off the striker. our 57 vin 4450 has the bracing(original) and the doors sag none. our other 57, vin 1093, a 250,000 mile yet to be restored FI, drops every bit of 3" as the drivers door unlatches. i'm gonna add the bracing to it when i get around to restoring it.mike PS. gm carried the mid 57 bracing thru till end of 62 production.

[Edward M.]

Re: 1956 C1 Question

I have wondered about this as well. My old 56 did not have the bracing, and the body restorer STRONGLY recommended that I add it to the car. I sold the car before we got to that point, but I did have some bracing made out of aluminum by a friend who works in a machine shop, using original 57 parts as templates. I still have the bracing.

My question is: How do you get the bracing in without disassembling the body panels?

[mike mccagh]

Re: 1956 C1 Question

youi would have to remove the top surround and side panels.mike