Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

[Richard M.]

What exactly are the differences in the 56 to 57 bodies, just the body, not the complete car? I know all 56's had power tops up to apx mid production according to Noland, but I cannot find info regarding other differences in the body, if any.

Thanks,
Rich

[Gary C.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Rich, external body differences are none except for the FI scripts on fuel cars. Dash mirror base with thumb screw for '56 & without for '57 is most notable difference. Early '56's had painted headlight rims, a different hardtop front bow/trim, a '55 style heater and dash control layout with '56-7 knobs. Gary....

[Stuart F.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

I don't know if this noteworthy or not, but I seem to recall there was some significant improvements in the "quality" of the bodies - be it materials or processes. Back in the day we could usually tell a 56 from a 57 by looking at them for cracks and roughness, as well as paint imperfections. Just an impression we used to hold. I have no specific knowledge or written information to back that up. Perhaps it was a running improvement from early to late in the model run (could be said for any year, I suppose). Anyone else know of what I speak, or was I dreaming it??

Stu Fox

[Mike M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

all 56's and 57's up to about vin 4000 lacked the metal reinforments behind the kick panels common to later 57's thru 62. mike.

[Gary C.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Stu, maybe you're thinking about 53-4. Lots of differences in 53 to 54 in the texture of the fiberglass. Thanks Mike forgot about the metal reinforcements. Late '57's as well had two rubber axle bumpers. '56 engines were 265 and had dipstick on the pass side, windshield washer bag versus bottle, Wonderbar seek bar wasn't engraved. etc. Biggie is the '56 power top ground was at the same location as the taillamp ground in the trunk and not on the exhaust. AIM shows that drawing cancelled, but it was cancelled for '57 and moved to the option section. Gary....

[Richard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Here are some pictures of the kick panel areas, seatback area, and underdash. Yes, quite rough fiberglass.

Mike, I don't see kick panel reinforcements like on my 59. Is this what you mean?

Also, there is no evidence of ever having the power top anywhere(no holes in trunk(see pics I added in first post). It had the horizontal reinforcement for a soft top in the car once(someone cut the rivets and removed it), and the deck lid has holes for the soft top latches & also hard top bolts(may not be the original lid).

Maybe it was ordered as hard top only, but why would it have had the horizontal soft top reinforcement? Although I do not see traces of the large soft top brackets either. Did all have the larges brackets and the horizontal reinforcement, hardtop or soft top?

Thanks,
Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Hmmmm, this one has a bracket(looks original) on the left inner wheel well that looks like a plastic bottle bracket, but I see no signs of washer nozzles on the cowl.

BTW, the car is a 1956, serial# 1371, the 371st.

???
Rich
ps the engine is a flint 283 #519 March 1960 cast date, F03I7D. Odd coincidence, exactly 1 year after my 59(#5504) was built!

[Gary C.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Rich, on early cars the horn relay is pointing up. Column cover plate on firewall will have 4 screws instead of 6. Flat fan blade. One rubber axle bumper. Rear cross member with 3 single in line holes (excluding the 2 outer most). Any ink stamped date on the pass side trunk hinge hole on the trunk lid? Under the dash the cowl vent mechanism will not be notched out to clear the metal reinforcement bracing added later as per Mike's post. Parking lamps have a rounded shoulder. Hardtop interior side trim pieces did not have external screws. That's all I can think of for now. Gary....

[Richard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Thanks Gary,

There are only 4 screws holding the column cover, hmmmm. I removed the trunk lid, but no ink stamps legible(rusty scale on the hinge area of the lid). Maybe there once was a stamp. I'll be digging in more later today.

I love the search for lost artifacts! When I get the body off I'll investigate the frame in detail. It is in excellent condition. I don't believe it could ever be a flight candidate as the body has been frankenstein'd. Several areas have damage repair. However, my plan is to do this with the car(below). That's why I even considered it in the first place. We'll see.

I'm really trying to learn much about it before I do anything.

Thanks,
Rich

[Stuart F.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Gary;

Well, you're definetly the "Man" when it comes to these early C-1's. I'm impressed. I think my recollection was a "running improvement" thing, specifically to do with the 56 and 57 (not 53 - 55). I worked on a number of them back then and it was more common to see cracks, specially in the seams and hood corners, on the 56's than 57's. The impression was enough to stick with me this long, but is insignificant.

Stu Fox

[Bernard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

[David S.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Hi Richard,
Will attempt to show a few pictures of the kick panel reinforcement that Mike & Gary are talking about.
Pictures are froom a 57 car #4713

[Bernard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957



Engine differences between early and later 1956s alluded to previously would include intake and exhaust manifolds, distributor, heads, radio shielding, valve covers and oil pan.

[Jimmy B.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Check the gas door area,56's & early 57"s do not have a vent hose there.

Grille surround area on mid to late 57's has extra gray goop around the cut out opening

Jim Blakely

[Edward M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

I seem to recall that early 56s used a 5/16 inch fuel line. Sometime during the 56 model year, the line was changed to 3/8 inch.