jccvette

Most of the 56 Vettes that I have seen have chrome headlight trim rings. However, I have seen 2 cars lately with painted rings. Did Chevrolet change in mid-year? What is approximate VIN cut-off?

Panama 58

The very early '56 model had painted headlight rings. They changed to chrome fairly early on but I don't recall the VIN range of the change. Maybe someone else can fill that void for you.
Garry 18531 (restorer of '56 #3421)

ohiovet

I have never seen painted headlight rings on a 56 Corvette, but I have not seen everything.
Any other 56-57 experts out there?

jccvette

One of the two cars that I saw was in Rick Hendrick's Heritage Collection. He is known to have low VIN vehicles.

gbvette62

I've never seen anything to indicate exactly when the change over took place, but I think it's generally believed to be only the first 300-400 56's, that came with the painted headlight bezels.

MidShark

From the '56-'57 judging guide:
"Very early 1956 Corvettes to approximately serial 1360 have chrome headlamp bezels over-painted exterior body color. From serial number 1360 to approximately 1600, headlamp bezels may be either painted or unpainted chrome in matching sets. Remainder of 1956 production through 1957 use chrome bezels exclusively."

Rich