1956 chassis w/Big Brakes

[Joseph T.]

Did anyone have a chance to look at the 1956 Chassis w/big brakes at Bill Lacy's swap space at Bloomington?

This is the chassis formerly owned by Ivan Bailey...presently owned by the Steinmans.

Does anyone know Ivan or did you see this chassis in California when Ivan owned it..and does anyone know its history?

It retains some unusual fuel line fittings and other early racing earmarks...as well as early finned drums and fine screen backing plates, shortened steering column etc.

Joe

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 chassis w/Big Brakes

Joe, it's possibly a 60's vintage SCCA racer. Only had stock front coil, 4 leaf rear springs and no sway bar or quick steering adapter. JMTCW, Gary....

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1956 chassis w/Big Brakes

Joe, it's possibly a 60's vintage SCCA racer. Only had stock front coil, 4 leaf rear springs and no sway bar or quick steering adapter. JMTCW, Gary....

Gary

What I find interesting are the early 56/58 finned drums as well as the fine screen backing plates. Could have been a vintage over the counter addition onto the 56 chassis...when these parts became available or provided by GM racing at the time...as engineering ( Frank Burrell / Rosenberg / Piggins etc ) were shipping race parts to California.

The 5 leaf springs did not appear from the factory until the RPO 684 package became available sometime in early to mid early 57 calendar year. Even my #775 a November 56 car and an RPO 581 car has 4 leaf springs...but included the big brakes, fast steering adaptor, Houdaille shocks, special traction bar set up etc. Of course my heavy duty equipment would most likely have been added up in Warren at engineering after the car was built.

Joe

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 chassis w/Big Brakes

Joe, was in northern California when I got back from SE Asia in '61 and there was alot of parts swapping going on. Knew of several 56-61 Corvettes doing SCCA stuff and tradin parts back and forth. Chassis was updated with '59 up rear axle housing. Didn't check the pumpkin casting number. Backing plate nuts hadn't been disturbed in along time. Interesting piece. Hope they find some history on it. Regards, Gary....

[Roy B.]

Re: 1956 chassis w/Big Brakes

Gary

What I find interesting are the early 56/58 finned drums as well as the fine screen backing plates. Could have been a vintage over the counter addition onto the 56 chassis...when these parts became available or provided by GM racing at the time...as engineering ( Frank Burrell / Rosenberg / Piggins etc ) were shipping race parts to California.

The 5 leaf springs did not appear from the factory until the RPO 684 package became available sometime in early to mid early 57 calendar year. Even my #775 a November 56 car and an RPO 581 car has 4 leaf springs...but included the big brakes, fast steering adaptor, Houdaille shocks, special traction bar set up etc. Of course my heavy duty equipment would most likely have been added up in Warren at engineering after the car was built.

Joe

Ivan715@aol.com Ivan and I been friends for 40 years , try e-mail him and ask again about it. Best ROY

[Loren L.]

One of Guldstrand's first racers

was a '56 - see photos/movies of Riverside Oct 62. As I recall, he DNF'd there while missing part of a fender.