Even with an original body and functioning lights, this Vette rarely cruises public streets. After all, spool rears and high-stall torque converters don't make for a pleasant commute. "The car is street legal but way too hairy to drive on surfaces not prepared for racing," Kreeb tells us. Still, he will admit to occasionally zip-tying a license plate to the 'chute and taking the car out for a spin.
This '56 is something of a sacrifice, a Corvette that is raced so that four others can go on living unmolested. It's more than just a well-built and highly effective drag car, inasmuch as its noteworthy performance doesn't interfere with the beauty of its original design. No fiberglass-bodied "silhouette car" can match the arresting looks of this resto-racer. Mike Kreeb's C1 has been a labor of love, and a testament to his passion for classic Corvettes.
| Spec Sheet |
| Car | '56 C1 Dragster |
| Owners | Mike Kreeb |
| Block | Brodix aluminum |
| Displacement | 582 ci |
| Compression Ratio | 15:1 |
| Heads | Ported and flowed Dart Big Chief Pro Series |
| Valves | Titanium 2.40/1.90 |
| Camshaft | Crane roller |
| Rocker Arms | T&D shaft-type |
| Pistons | JE forged |
| Crankshaft | Callies Pro |
| Rods | Callies Compstar |
| Intake Manifold | CNC-ported Dart Pro Series |
| Carburetor | Race-prepped Holley 1250-cfm 4-barrel |
| Fuel Pump | Barry Grant BG 400 |
| Ignition | MSD 7AL3 magnetic pickup |
| Power Adder | N/A |
| Exhaust System | Custom headers with 2 3/8-in primary tubes |
| Transmission | Custom Powerglide with J&W 6,500-rpm
stall converter |
| Driveshaft | Custom aluminum |
| Front Suspension | Custom strut-type |
| Rear Suspension | Custom 4-link |
| Rear End | 4.56 Dana spool |
| Front Brakes | Wilwood discs |
| Rear Brakes | Wilwood discs |
| Wheels | Weld Pro Star |
| Front Tires | Mickey Thompson Front Runners |
| Rear Tires | 32.5x17-in Hoosier slicks |
| Fuel Octane | Race fuel only |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Best ET/MPH | 8.11 sec at 167 mph |
| Current Mileage | N/A |
| Miles Driven Weekly | Race only |