Correct color for a late 56 engine???

[Gordon A.]

We have 1956 Vette #4194 [out of a total of 4467] which was built on August 28th 1956. Late 56 motors were reportedly Chevy Orange, not Red in a transition to the 57 Chevy Orange. We would like to be certain of the correct color for this motor. Anyone know of a earlier numbered car with Orange engine from original?

[Alexander C.]

Re: Correct color for a late 56 engine???

Mine is 4434 and is red. My engine is a low production 1x4 though and I suspect it sat at the back of the engine rack for awhile until put into a car at the assembly plant.

[Gary C.]

Re: Correct color for a late 56 engine???

Gordon, I advised Bill it should be red and so did John St. Peter. Gary....

[Gordon A.]

Re: Correct color for a late 56 engine???

Bill told me what you suggested, but that there was not real evidence of when they started using Chevy Orange. I thought I might get some actual evidence of the change over. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Gary C.]

Re: Correct color for a late 56 engine???

Gordon, that statement "56 use of 57 Chevy orange" was in the original 56-7 Judging Manual. Personally, of all the 56's over the years I've seen including the some of the last ones produced I've never seen an original engine painted anything but 56 red. Doesn't mean there weren't any. When the update was done 2 years ago, we didn't have any proof to the contrary, so the statement stayed in. Would expect if any 56 Corvette engines were 57 Chevy orange, it would be the last 100 VIN's or so. Correspondingly, the late Dave Ferguson owns an original and one of the last 57's produced. It has early 58 intake and exhaust manifolds on it as well as some 56 style parts. Guess they cleaned out the St. Louis stock bins. Rule of thumb, last and first 100 cars could have carry over parts on them. Gary....