The E is the Chevrolet indicator for Corvette. The 57 is the year. The S is the Assembly Plant Code for St. Louis. And the last 7 digits is the sequence manufacture number. There is no clear link to engine numbers and the serial numbers for 1956. Engine numbers were followed by the Plant identifier and the engine suffix code. The code can be found on a pad just in front of the cylinder head on the right front top of the engine. The VIN Plate is attached to the door hinge pillar just below the upper hinge.

The final serial number of the month is used to determine the month of production. * Figures from service bulletin information.

Block casting numbers are located on the top left surface of the flange formed at the rear of the block for the flywheel attachment. The V-8 casting numbers are located on the right side of the block opposite the casting number. The block also has a letter that indicates the month of casting (A-L for January to December)

All blocks of this year have the same number 3731548 it is located as above. All engines are V-8 and are 283 cubic inches.

Beginning with this year continuous numbering of the engines was discontinued. A prefix system was established. F is the prefix used to designate the Flint manufacturing plant. This was followed by 3 or 4 numbers for the date of manufacture (1-12 for the month and then the day 1-31). Ending with the suffix code

Rear axle codes are located by the use of a stamp on the front right side of the differential carrier housing. The code will be followed by the month of manufacture, (1-12 or 01-12) and then the day of manufacture, (01-31). There may also be a HT stamped, along with the gear ratio, which would stand for Hi-Tork used for Positraction Rear axles. These were rare and were only used on the 3.70:1 and 4.11:1 rear ends.

3731398 Cast Iron 220 Horsepower

3739653 Aluminum 245 and 270 Horsepower

All engines 3733975 Left side and 3733976 Right side

Casting numbers are located in the valve rocker are only visible with the valve cover removed. See the Specific Information and Notes page.

The identification number will be found on a triangular metal tag attached to the air horn. There will also be a manufacture date code. It will appear with a letter, A-M, (I was not used), signifying the month followed by the last digit of the year of manufacture. This was followed by a number of the assembly line.

Located by a stamp located on the rear face of the case in the lower right corner. The C is for the Cleveland Plant. The Warner 4-Speed number is located on the left side of the case, in the upper rear corner, just behind the cover.

There would be 1 or 2 digits for the month of production, (January through December). There may be a suffix of D or N (for day or night shift). Note; for six-cylinder Powerglide Transmissions, there may be a VC as a prefix for a Powerglide instead of the C. (The VC is the Chevrolet code for Corvette Cleveland Transmission.) For the Warner 4-Speed the shift code would be a 1, 2, or 3.

The identification number is stamped on to a Delco-Remy tag. The tag is riveted to the starter motor housing.

1107664 all engines.

A red tag that has been riveted to the housing will have the serial number, which is a date code. Date coding for this year is 6 followed by the month code (A-M, no I was used) and the day 1-31.

1102043 30 Amps - All engines except RPO 579E

 1102059 30 Amps RPO 579E

 *Late 283 Horsepower Fuel Injection (not RPO 579E models that might use this distributor have a closed end threaded fitting covering the Tach-drive shaft.

1115091 All Carbureted Engines

1115107 All Fuel Injected Engines

The Harrison Division of GM in Lockport, New York manufactured corvette radiators. This radiator has a Harrison Division identification tag soldered to the center, inlet side, of the upper core tank. The tag has the part number and a date code of the year and a letter A-L.

3133689 Copper - All Engines

Lower Instrument Panel, Steering Column, Directional Signal Housing, Steering Wheel Hub, and Plastic Sidewall Panel were all Beige with the exception of the 1st design of the Polo White that had White for the above and the Onyx Black that had Red for the above. The seat cushions and backrest and the Cowl side Kick Panels had a waffle Vinyl pattern in Red or Beige. The Backrest bolster, Sidewall Top Roll, Upper Panel, Lower Panel, Armrest and Windlace had Leather Grain Vinyl in Red or Beige. The Floor Covering is Carpet in either Red or Copper. The Top Storage well was paint in either Red or Beige. The Rear compartment has a Black or Red Rubber Mat and the Trim Board is Red or Beige

Libby-Owens-Ford Glass Date Codes V is the code for 1956 and would be the 2nd letter in the code. The month code is below. As an example if the code on the glass was JV the glass was manufactured in May 1956. It is possible that GM used glass from other manufacturers, however, it would not be likely, (according to the NCRS Pocket Spec Guide). Safety Plate glass was used for all of the windows. There will also be the American Standard specification code AS1 for windshields and the code AS2 for the rest of the glass.