Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

[Steven 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

Around what VIN was the vent hose added?

[Richard M.]

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

This one has a grommet for the vent hose and area where the hose clip/screw was.

Hmmmm.

[Edward M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

This one has a grommet for the vent hose and area where the hose clip/screw was.

Hmmmm.

1956 SN 2117 does not have this grommet hole for the fuel vent hose. 1956 SN 3298 did have the grommet hole.

[Mike M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

i don't believe any of the 56's left st louis with gromet +/or the gas tank vent hose. 57 vin 1093 did not have the vent system. seem to recall the vent hoses came along in 57, @ vin # 1500. mike

[Gary C.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Current JM states VIN approx 1425 when the change over from non-vented to vented gas tank/cap was made.. However, the drawing change date was 3/1/57 which equates to approximately 2575. Looking for cars between 1425 and 2575 to see if they were vented or not. VIN 300X is vented. Gary....

[Edward M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

1956 SN 2117 does not have this grommet hole for the fuel vent hose. 1956 SN 3298 did have the grommet hole.

Then I will assume that this hole was added to 56 SN 3298.

[Steven B.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Mike and Gary, Thanks!

Steve

[Richard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Thanks everyone for your help and photos. It's been quite a learning experience.....So here's what I think happened to this 1956 Corvette, #1371.

It left St Louis without kick panel reinforcements.

It left with 4 screws(not 6), holding the steering column cover in the engine bay, .

It left with no grommet hole in the gas filler area. But there was a service bulletin(pg 134 in the Adams Guide, to modify earlier cars to solve the pressure build up and carb flooding problems. I think it was added later at the Chevy service department and that's why it's there. Oddly, the service bulletin states to drill a 1/2" hole "2 1/4" forward of the centerline of the filler neck, and 2" above it, and install the grommet. My 59 and this car has it 2 1/4" rearward of the centerline. A bit confusing, must've been a tpyo.

It has the jack handle clip with 2 short holes, with evidence of the single rivet holding it in(i.e. no screw thread traces in the holes). ref pg 151 in Adams Guide.

It left with no extra gray goop around the grill surround opening.

It left with hardtop only, but maybe had it's decklid changed later(has soft top latch holes). There is no evidence of the large soft top brackets on each side of the area behind the seats. Earlier post photo shows no outline in this area of the red paint. It's been stated that all early 56's had power tops, but price lists say it can be replaced with hardtop. I'm unsure of this. There is no evidence of a total rear clip change.

Thanks,
Rich

[Gary C.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Rich, softtop power tops was standard equipment until March time period. You VIN falls within the date area when power tops were optional. Was the wiring harness still in trunk? If there was a power top there would be 2 ground wires. 1 for the taillamp and the 2nd coming from behind the division panel would've been the power top motor ground. Have fun with the car. Gary....

[Gary C.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Stu, it helps if you're in the middle of the JM update process. We have a great and very knowledgeable 56-7 JM update team working on the manual. Most of the 56-7 fiberglass was pretty prone to cracks and splintering. A lot of them today have rotten fiberglass, mine included. Gary....

[Richard M.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Rich, softtop power tops was standard equipment until March time period. You VIN falls within the date area when power tops were optional. Was the wiring harness still in trunk? If there was a power top there would be 2 ground wires. 1 for the taillamp and the 2nd coming from behind the division panel would've been the power top motor ground. Have fun with the car. Gary....

Thanks Gary, now it makes more sense. Unfortunately the wiring is gone.

Rich

[Jimmy B.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

57 vin# 2079 has a vented gas tank

[John H.]

Re: Body Differences in 1956 to 1957

Then I will assume that this hole was added to 56 SN 3298.

There was a Service Letter sent to the dealers in mid-'57 that outlined adding the tank vent nipple, vent hose, grommet, clip, and non-vented gas cap to earlier '56-'57 cars where owners complained of fuel spillage; I have a copy filed away somewhere.