You've got to start somewhere...and the Corvette's storied racing history began with this '56 (and its similarly-optioned counterparts).

Think that's interesting? It is! So was writing about this historic C1 in 2009.

When you look up the feature story on this '56 Corvette SR (in the "Featured Corvettes" section of this website), you'll see the inter-Chevrolet memo that Zora Arkus-Duntov wrote that got the top brass' attention--and set the works in motion that resulted in the "SR" options in '56.

From that point on...you know the rest of the story. By the way, here's a run-down on what RPO's were SR way back when:

1956 Corvette Regular Production Options (RPOs) that had the “SR” (Special Racing”) prefix:

SR1A 15 x 5 ½-inch Halibrand cast magnesium “Kidney Bean” wheels with three-prong spinners

SR2F Special heavy duty front and rear suspension with larger front stabilizer bar  and Lyeth “High Torque” limited-slip differential with 3.70:1 rear gears

SR4A Special shortened exhaust system with 2 ¼-inch tubing, shortened mufflers and side-exit tailpipes

SR5A Special (larger) GM Harrison copper-brass radiator

SR6A Front “410” shocks, plus rear “Houdaille” and “411” shocks

SR7A Dual fan-belt drive

SR9A Heavy duty rear springs

SR10A Shortened steering column

SR11A Special ignition wiring

SR12D Firestone “Super Sport” 6.70-15 blackwall racing tires