This 1956 Chevrolet Corvette pays homage to one of the most significant milestones in the history of America’s Sports Car. The year was 1955, and the outlook was bleak for Chevrolet’s new fiberglass-bodied Corvette; its 1953 debut was sullied by poor sales, the result of emphasizing exclusivity that made it look unobtainable to the buying public. Sales in 1954 had surpassed 10 times the 1953 model’s total production of 300 cars, but as the new St. Louis assembly plant geared up for 10,000 cars a year, 1955 sales dropped off to an alarming trickle, even after Chevrolet replaced the anemic inline-6 with the new 265 CI small-block V-8. Undaunted, Chevrolet engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov targeted Daytona’s Flying Mile to begin establishing Corvette’s racing credentials, outfitting a well-worn mule with a 307 CI engine using a special cam and setting a two-way record of 150.583 MPH that generated widespread publicity. The effort intensified when Chevrolet GM Ed Cole appointed racer John Fitch to lead a four-car team in the 12 Hours of Sebring. After an intense few weeks of frantic testing and preparation, Fitch and co-driver Walt Hansgen scored a class win at Sebring, prompting a famous advertisement that showed their battle-scarred No. 1 Corvette during a pit stop under the simple title, “The Real McCoy.” This 1956 Corvette is a beautifully executed replica of the famous race car. All the cues are present and accounted for, beginning with its two-tone Polo White and blue American racing livery, Halibrand alloy pin-drive knock off wheels, auxiliary lights and fender marking lights, red cockpit with white tonneau, and a Plexiglas driver’s windscreen. The car’s dual 4-barrel-equipped 265 CI small-block V-8 is mated to a manual transmission, and the chassis has many period-correct race features, including high-rate, shortened front coil springs and faster steering. Collectors seeking a quality tribute to the historically significant “Real McCoy” Corvette racer need look no further.