American Car Spotters Guide - 1956 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Most 1956 American models differed only slightly from those of the 1955 model year but a new fashion began to emerge - tail fins.
Still fairly rudimentary, they continued to 'grow' until by the end of the decade on some cars they had become so large as to be undesirably cumbersome, if not dangerous. 1956 Chrysler Corporation cars featured larger engines, push button automatic transmission controls and 12-volt electrics.
Ford also introduced 12 volts as well as a bigger engine (Fairlane with Thunderbird V8), optional safety belts and a new high-quality car, the Continental.
General Motors now offered four-door hardtops in all its car division's lines. This body style was becoming increasingly popular and accounted for a large slice of the year's total passenger car sales, which was, nevertheless over a million down on 1955 but still amounted to a staggering 5,816,109.
It is interesting to note that in 1956 Ford Motor Company stock became available to the public for the first time when the Ford Foundation offered more than 10 million of its shares at $64.50 each.
The first public stockholders' meeting took place in May. |
|
 |
 |
Buick Special |
| |
Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick |
| |
Buick offered four series: 40 Special, 50 Super, 60 Century and 70 Roadmaster. All models had a 352 CID V8 engine, new front suspension, rear axle and other chassis improvements. |
|
|
 |
|
Buick Special Estate Wagon |
| |
Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick |
| |
The Buick Estate Wagon was available in both the 220-bhp Special (pictured left) and 255-bhp Century Series. Dynaflow auto transmissions were standard on Centurys, optional on Specials. |
|
|
 |
|
Buick Super |
| |
Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick |
| |
The Buick Series 50 Super four-door Hardtop was available in the 50 and 70 Series for the first time in 1956. They had the 255-bhp engine with variable-pitch Dynaflow and Power Steering as standard equipment. |
|
|
 |
|
Cadillac |
| |
Also see: Cadillac Car Reviews | The History of Cadillac |
| |
Cadillac's 1956 styling changes were relatively minor but the engine and transmission were further improved. The new 365 CID engine developed 285 bhp and the Hydra-Matic had a 'dump-and-fill' controlled coupling. Power brakes, with 18-in wide pedal, were standard equipment on all models. |
|
|
 |
|
Cadillac ElDorado |
| |
Also see: Cadillac Car Reviews | The History of Cadillac |
| |
The Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible (and Seville Hardtop Coupe) had 305-bhp 365 CID V8 engine with 9,75:1 compression ratio, and dual four-barrel carburetors. These high-performance models had distinguishing rear wings, flowing rearward to newly styled oval exhaust ports. |
|
|
 |
|
Chevrolet Bel Air |
| |
Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
| |
The Chevrolet 1956 range comprised some 20 models in Special (1500), DeLuxe (2100) and Bel Air (2400) series. Engine options included V8s and a more powerful Six. |
|
|
 |
|
Chevrolet Corvette |
| |
Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
| |
The
Chevrolet Series 2900 Corvette, Model 2934, was produced during 1956-57 and featured revised styling with concave side panels in the plastic body, power-operated top and side windows and other improvements.
It was powered by the 225-bhp Turbofire Special V8, For winter driving there was an optional plastic hardtop. |
|
|
 |
|
Chrysler Windsor |
| |
Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler |
| |
All Chrysler Windsors, including the Nassau and Newport hardtop models had a 331 CID Spitfire V8 engine, rated at 225 bhp, and, like the C-72 Series, 126-inch wheelbase. |
|
|
 |
|
Chrysler New Yorker 300B |
| |
Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler |
| |
A second Chrysler 300, the 300B, was brought out with a 340 horsepower engine. Tim Flock drove a bright red 300B to the fastest flying mile of the unlimited displacement class (over 350 cu in.) for 1956 at the Daytona Beach Annual Speed Trials. Speed was 139.373 mph. All told, the 300B won 21 NASCAR Grand National Races for the year. |
|
|
 |
|
Chrysler New Yorker |
| |
Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler |
| |
Chrysler New Yorkers, including Newport and St. Regis hardtop models, featured 280-bhp 354 CID Firepower V8, push-button PowerFlite transmission, Power Smooth brakes and other refinements. Optional equipment included air-conditioning, instant gasoline heater which reached 100 degrees in seconds, and record player. |
|
|
 |
|
Chrysler 300B |
| |
Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler |
| |
The
Chrysler 300B high-performance Hardtop Coupe C-72-300
had increased horsepower, now up to 340 (355 optional). In 1955 a Chrysler 300 won both NASCAR and AAA Stock Car Championships. Like all other 1956 Chryslers it had 12-volt electrics and 126-inch wheelbase. Height was 58·6 inches. |
|
|
 |
|
Continental |
| |
Also see: Lincoln Car Reviews | The History of Lincoln |
| |
The Continental Mark II was Ford's ultra-luxury prestige car. There was only one model, a two-door hardtop Coupe, Model YA-60. A convertible version by Derham was offered later. The 300-bhp V8 engine. Turbo Drive automatic transmission and other mechanical components were the same as on the Lincoln Capri and Premiere. |
|
|
 |
|
DeSoto Diplomat |
| |
Also see: The History of DeSoto |
| |
The DeSoto Diplomat DeLuxe SP-28-2 and Diplomat Custom SP-28-3 had a 125-bhp PowerFlow Six engine. The Diplomat SP-29 V8 models had V-motif on grille and 187-bhp Hy-Fire engine. A less powerful V8 export model, designated SP-29X, was available also. |
|
|
 |
|
DeSoto Fireflite |
| |
Also see: The History of DeSoto |
| |
The DeSoto S-24 Fireflite four-door Sedan. Like the S-23 Firedome it had 126-inch wheelbase and a 330 CID V8 engine. The top-line Adventurer, a limited-production hardtop coupe, had a 320-bhp 341 CID engine. Fireflites had push-button operated automatic trans as standard (optional on Firedomes). |
|
|
 |
|
Dodge Custom Royal |
| |
Also see: Dodge Car Reviews | The History of Dodge |
| |
In 1956 Dodge introduced a new four-door Hardtop, the Lancer. Pictured left is the Custom Royal D-63-3 version, but the same body style was offered in the lower-priced Royal D-63-2 and Coronet D-63-1 Series. V8 engines of various bhp ratings were available, but the Coronet could also be bought as a Six (D-62-1). All had 120-inch wheelbase. Dodge Kingsway D-49 export models had similar front end styling but smaller engines and 11 5-in wb. |
|
|
 |
|
Dodge Custom Sierra |
| |
Also see: Dodge Car Reviews | The History of Dodge |
| |
The Dodge Custom Sierra four-door Station Wagon was available with two or three seats; the latter seated eight. Two-door station wagons were named Suburban. |
|
|
 |
|
Ford Fairlane |
| |
Also see: Ford Car Reviews | The History of Ford |
| |
The
1956 Ford models were facelifted editions of the previous year's range but there were some changes in model availability. The Customline Country Sedan 8-passenger Wagon was discontinued, and three new models were added in the Fairlane range: Victoria Fordor (57A Ford's first four-door hardtop), Parklane Ranch Wagon (59C) and Victoria (64C, pictured left). The 292 CID V8 engine which powered the 1955 Thunderbird was now available for other models as well. It developed 202 bhp.
The smaller 272 CID V8 and the 223 CID Six now produced 173 and 137 bhp respectively. |
|
|
 |
|
Ford Thunderbird |
| |
Also see: Ford Car Reviews | The History of Ford |
| |
The Ford Thunderbird featured an outside spare wheel. There was choice of two engines: Thunderbird Y-S 292 CID for gearshift models (202 bhp) and Thunderbird Special Y-S 312 CID for cars with overdrive (215 bhp) and Fordomatic (225 bhp). |
|
|
 |
|
Hudson Wasp |
| |
Also see: The History of Hudson |
| |
Hudson cars were again based on contemporary Nashes. The Wasp was powered by the 202 CID Six engine that had been used in the Hudson Jet prior to the merger with Nash, when the Jet was superseded by the Nash Rambler with Hudson name plates. For the Hornet AMC used the Packard V8 power unit as in 1955. |
|
|
 |
|
Imperial |
| |
|
| |
Pictured left is the Imperial four-door Sedan of the 133-inch wheelbase C-73 Series. Other body styles were new Southampton two and four-door Hardtops. The FirePower 9·01 compression ratio 354 CID V8's developed 250 bhp and auto-trans (PowerFlite), power brakes and power steering were standard equipment. The C-70 Crown Imperial had 149½-inch wheelbase. |
|
|
 |
|
Lincoln Premiere |
| |
Also see: Lincoln Car Reviews | The History of Lincoln |
| |
Pictured left is the Lincoln Premiere Convertible, Model LD-76B. Other models included the 60B Coupe and 73B Sedan. The Capri range comprised the 60E Sport Coupe and 73A Sedan. All had 126-inch wheelbase, power steering and a new 285-bhp 368 CID V8 with 9.01 compression ratio, and a "Push-button lubrication system" for front suspension and steering was optional. |
|
|
 |
|
Mercury Montclair |
| |
Also see: Mercury Car Reviews | The History of Mercury |
| |
The Mercury Montclair Hardtop Sedan, also known as Phaeton, was one of Mercury's four top-line models. Other series comprised Monterey with four models and Custom with five. The 5.1 liter V8 delivered 210, 215 or 225 bhp, depending on model and transmission type. |
|
|
 |
 |
Meteor Rideau |
| |
|
| |
The Meteor, produced by Ford Canada from 1948, was claimed to be the only North American car sold exclusively in Canada. |
|
|
 |
|
Metropolitan |
| |
|
| |
The
Metropolitan Series 1500 Convertible 561 and Hardtop 562, made for AMC by Austin of England, were modified in various respects. Radio, heater and lighter were standard. Three-speed transmission had dash-mounted control. The engine was an Austin A50 1500-cc. From December they were sold outside North
America as the Austin Metropolitan 1500. |
|
|
 |
|
Nash Ambassador |
| |
Also see: Nash Car Reviews | The History of Nash |
| |
Nash offered one Statesman and seven Ambassador models, the latter with Special, Six and V8 variants. Specials had a new AMC 190-bhp V8 and were announced in April. Rambler became a separate marque in 1956. |
|
|
 |
|
Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight |
| |
Also see: Oldsmobile Car Reviews | The History of Oldsmobile |
| |
For 1956 Oldsmobile introduced the new Jetaway Hydra-Matic Drive and Starfire styling. The Rocket engine's power was increased to 240 bhp. An automatic six-way power seat was made available and in November the three-millionth Hydra-Matic-equipped Olds was produced. |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
Also see: Oldsmobile Car Reviews | The History of Oldsmobile |
| |
This huge, stylish coupe of 1965 was the first car of
its kind to bring front-wheel-drive to the U.S market
(excluding of course the beautiful Cord's from the mid
1930's, such as the 810). The Toronado came on a massive 119 inch wheelbase, and
weighed an enormous 4,366 pounds - the size and weight
counting against it if you were looking for a true
sports car. But a "muscle" car it was, having
the mighty 425 ci V8 producing 385 bhp as standard,
matched to an aggressive style and wonderful flowing
lines that somehow belayed its sheer mass. |
|
|
 |
|
Packard Clipper |
| |
Also see: Packard Car Reviews | The History of Packard |
| |
The Packard-built Clipper was now on its own and no longer advertised as a small Packard. However, this was the last year of Packard and Clipper as individual cars. The Clipper, pictured left in Super Hardtop Coupe form, had a 240-bhp V8 engine, and torsion bar suspension. A Twin-Traction limited-slip differential was available for the first time in the medium-price field, on all models. |
|
|
 |
|
Plymouth Belvedere |
| |
Also see: Plymouth Car Reviews | The History of Plymouth |
| |
Plymouth Plaza, Savoy and Belvedere models were offered with six-cylinder (P-28) or V8 (P-29) engines, supplemented by a high-performance Fury two-door Hardtop model in P-29 range. The Six was a 125-bhp 230 CID L-head, the Standard V8 was a 277 CID unit of 187 or 200-bhp rating. Optional was a smaller 270 CID V8 of 180 bhp and the Fury had a 303 CID V8 with 9·251 compression ratio and output of 240 or 270 bhp. |
|
|
 |
|
Plymouth Belvedere V8 Hardtop Sedan |
| |
Also see: Plymouth Car Reviews | The History of Plymouth |
| |
The Plymouth Belvedere V8 Hardtop Sedan was one of 15 models in Plymouth's 1956 line of cars. Automatic transmission, if fitted, had push-button control. |
|
|
 |
|
Pontiac 860 |
| |
Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac |
| |
Pontiac offered four Series: 860, 870 and Safari with 122-inch wheelbase and Star Chief with 124-inch wheelbase. All had Strato Streak 316.6 CID V8 engine, developing up to 227 bhp, depending on model and transmission type. |
|
|
 |
|
Pontiac Laurentian |
| |
Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac |
| |
General Motors of Canada produced Pontiac Laurentian and Pathfinder models, employing Chevrolet mechanical components, including the Powerglide automatic transmission. |
|
|
 |
|
Rambler |
| |
Also see: AMC Car Reviews | The History of Rambler |
| |
Rambler was now offered as an individual make and offered larger models than hitherto, all on 108-inch wheelbase and with 120-bhp OHV
Typhoon Six engine. The 'dip' in the roofline was introduced by Nash on their 1954 Rambler four-door wagon. Note: Until 1957 American Motors continued registering Ramblers as Nash and Hudson cars. |
|
|
 |
|
Willys Jeep |
| |
Also see: Willys Car Reviews | The History of Willys |
| |
Willys continued their range of Jeep vehicles and in October 1955 introduced the low-priced 4 x 2 Model DJ3A Dispatcher, with canvas top or optional hardtop (incorporating fiberglass plastic roof and sliding side doors) and as a basic open model. All had the 60-bhp L-head Four Go-Devil engine. |
|
1956 Buick Special.
|
|
