Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

[Richard M.]

My 56 project car is due to arrive in a few days, and have been pondering making it a fun and "different" long term project(so I don't hurt myself too badly).

Talking to the owner of the 57 Corvette Super Sport yesterday, I'd have a heck of a time doing the very GM-customized interior(GM spent $18k in 1956 to do it). Add to that the early 4360 fuilie setup at staggering costs, Im thinking...........

.....about looking at Prince Bertils "one-off" for my 56 project. I've always loved this car. I especially like the front grille, and wire wheels too(Roy?)

Have any of you gents in Sweden seen this car?

Rich

[Edward M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

Thought about the same thing myself. That grill oval is going to be tough to reproduce.

Car is still around. Check out this link.

http://www.royalcorvette1956.com/PB/

[Richard M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

I went to that site yesterday but it's pretty sparse. Need to login to see the photos. Access denied.

There seems to be some confusion. These sites call it a 57, yet it's actually a 56????

http://corvettes.nl/specials/page67/page67.html

http://www.docrebuild.com/archive/57/57-ss-1m.html

[Edward M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

Used to be more on that site. Use the contact button to send them an email asking for an update on the project.

Bertil's car is a 56, not a 57. I am thinking the serial number is something like E56S001041 (but my memory sucks).

[Richard M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

I am thinking the serial number is something like E56S001041 (but my memory sucks).

Ed, Your memory is ok, #41 was right, but I read in my "star spangled" book last night, it was export #41. Not sure what the actual car serial # is, but right, it's definitely a 56.

I know that the exhaust comes out the rear quarters, gas cap relocated to center of decklid(side gas filler door gone), rear vertical bumpers filled in(no ex outlets).

Rich

[John N.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

By memory, Jerry Cumbus said that he was responsible for the car. I believe that he was a friend of Bob Cumberford (SR-2 design) and they may have left GM on the same day went to the left coast for some auto endeavor.
Regards

[Jack H.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

"There seems to be some confusion. These sites call it a 57, yet it's actually a 56????"

In some nations, vehicle registration is done by the actual calendar date of when a new car is registered vs. the mfgr's paperwork that defines the car's actual model year...

[Gord H.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

That was the model that they used for the trunk irons on the 58.so when you go to copy your 56 add in the price of the irons $ 3000.00

[Richard M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

That was the model that they used for the trunk irons on the 58.so when you go to copy your 56 add in the price of the irons $ 3000.00

[Bernard M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

This is the translation I got from an on-line translation site. I'm sure some of our friends on this fourm from across the waves could be more accurate, but this should get the point across. Bernie Myers

Hej.Vi closed for holiday (vacation) and re-open the 13th Oktober.Tills We have stored your message and will return as soon as we can. Do you collect ordered parts will respond shortly.

Kind of like reading those assembly instructions on a kid's swingset.

[Michael W.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

Out of office reply!

If you guys are interested I have some other pics on the car. I am on biz trip now but can post when back home on sunday.

[Richard M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

Thanks Bernard, That's what I thought..........

I just got a reply through the night. Looks like I'm on my own if I decide to do it. It appears there are many unique details we don't know about.

This is what I sent:
Hello,

I am intrigued with the Prince's car. It is gorgeous! I own a 1956 Corvette project and am considering replicating it for my personal use.

Do you have more color photographs that you can send me, along with any other information you would be willing to share? I would especially like more photos of the trunk lid, fuel filler position, and front grille detail.

Thank You,
Richard Mozzetta
Florida, USA
p.s. photos of my 1959 enclosed
This was the reply:

[Richard M.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

Out of office reply!

If you guys are interested I have some other pics on the car. I am on biz trip now but can post when back home on sunday.

Hi Mike,

Yes When you get a chance I would like to see more pictures.

Thanks!
Rich

[Michael W.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

please drop me your private e-mail in a pm!

[Michael W.]

Re: Sweden's Prince Bertil "one-off" 1956 Corvette

Perhaps some of you know the the C1, C2 and C3 registries are an initiative of our chapter. Now in the last 3 years quite some people contact us and shared their info. Some kept paper registries on a generation, special corvettes, 1 production year, export cars, etc etc.

In the export car info pack we received there is the Bertil car mentioned. Below the info is in the info we received, source is one of the prior owners:
- prepared by GM styling for Prince Bertil
- VIN E56S000041
- car had hardtop and has a one of light blue color
- has been modified into a drag racer
- special options: km speedo, lucus lights, special amblem in toothless grill, dayton wire wheels, side exhaust ports, special gold V emblem, special paint, special interior color, radio painted blue, special soft top color, spears on trunk lid
- rpos: 2 tops, wonderbar radio, automatic
- prince was around 44 years of age when receiving the car
- is said the car was styled in same studio as the 1956 SR-2 Corvette

Regards