1956 Corvette Engine Color

[Brooks G.]

Guys, I just received my copy of the latest '56 & '57 Judging Manual. This manual is definitely a big improvement over the previous fourth edition. I already knew that '56 Corvette engines were painted red. In this latest JM it says that in the last few weeks of '56 production that the engines were painted orange. Is there any idea when this might have started? My car came off the assembly line on August 14th. I am wondering if the engine was painted red or possibly orange? Thanks in advance! Brooks Glover (2141)

[Mark P.]

Re: 1956 Corvette Engine Color

Brooks,

From what I understood when I did my research, engines in the last few weeks of production during the month of September "could" be orange, but to be on the safe side, I still painted mine red. (I used Bill Hirsch Chevy Engine Red) Whenever faced with a choice, I tend to go with the most obvious direction that will take the least amount of flack from a potential questioning judge, unless I have definitive proof. My engine had some evidence of red and orange paint on it, so I just went with red and was done with it.

Mine is an early September car and I felt like if it could go either way, I couldn't go wrong with red. Besides, I like the fact that it's different than the chev orange used for so many years later. Bottom line is, it's a matter of choice, but it might be pushing it to go for orange so early in August. Just my take.

Mark

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1956 Corvette Engine Color

Mark, thanks for the reply. From what I gather '56 engines were painted red for most all of their production. I don't know when in September 1956 that the last '56 Corvette came off the line. I was wondering if anyone knew that so a determination could be made when engine color changed from red to orange. With '56 & '57 Corvettes there seem to be a lot of gray areas. I guess this is one of them. I will be safe and paint my engine red after I find a correct oil pan. I just found out the one I have is not. Sometimes you just can't win. The search continues. Thanks! Brooks Glover (2141)

[Alexander C.]

Re: 1956 Corvette Engine Color

I have a Sept. 15th build car, 4434. Original engine, never rebuilt. I'll take pictures and post when I get it home in the next couple weeks. I'm pretty sure it's orange but can't remember for sure.

Alex