| What's New
Trailblazing "Ramjet"
fuel injection system optional, giving one horsepower per
cubic inch ... Infinitely variable ratio "Turboglide"
transmission optional . . . Choice of seven different V8s,
one six in 460 different model-color combinations . .. Fourteen-inch
wheels spark astute restyling of last year's body shell.
Your Choice
Three basic series, the One-Fifty,
TwoTen, and Bel-Air, are available in such variety of engine
and transmission combinations as to demand charting rather
than description.
Bel-Air is the top Chevrolet
model, comparable to Plymouth's Belvedere, Ford's Fairlane
500 and some Fairlanes. Next comes the Two-Ten, lining up
with the Plymouth Savoy, some Ford Fairlanes and Custom 300s;
and last, the economy OneFifty in the lowest price bracket
with Ford's Custom and Plymouth's Plaza.
Bel-Air and Two-Ten run neck
and neck in popularity, so like Ford, Chevrolet makes available
a complete line of bodies including four-door hardtops for
both series. Plymouth still restricts this style to their
top line, which makes poor merchandising sense; many people
can only afford it with lesser trim. Unlike its competitors,
Chevrolet does not artificially hike its line with a separate
group of wagons. These are distributed according to luxury
within the model designitions listed above.
Chevrolet Power
Here is the big Chevrolet story.
Never in any price field has there been such a galaxy of useful
power options. The quite popular ohv, 140-horsepower six (about
40 per cent of production) is continued with little change
from last year, available in any model with either three-speed,
overdrive, or old-style Powerglide transmissions. Then there
is the 162-horsepower, 265-cubic-inch V8, also essentially
unchanged from last year but available only with three-speed
or overdrive.
Star of the galaxy is the all-new
283-cubic-inch V8, similar in basic design to the other but
with obviously very limited parts interchangeability. This
engine can be had with horsepower ratings ranging from 185
in basic, two-barrel carburetor form to 283 when equipped
with everything including racing cam and fuel injection. Varieties
in-between involve single and twin four-barrel carburetor
and cam combinations. Powerglide is standard, Turboglide transmission
optional at extra cost. Three-speed and overdrive boxes are
furnished upon request with one or another of the "racing"
packages. . As of their October 17, 1956 introduction date,
Chevrolet scooped everyone with their new Ramjet injection
system. Although much more expensive to produce than a carburetor,
it works almost as simply. An air meter reacts to the demands
of the driver's foot on the throttle, and in turn signals
the fuel meter for the proper ratio of gasoline. This is fed
constantly at very high pressure to injector nozzles located
near the intake valves at each cylinder, where it enters in
the form of a spray so. fine as to be invisible to the naked
eye. Ram air from the air meter meanwhile is always present
in the proper quantity, so the resulting mixture enters the
combustion chamber whenever the intake valve opens.
The system automatically cuts
out fuel pressure when the car is running the engine; i.e.,
when going downhill or decelerating. An electric choke provides
normal enrichment for cold-weather starts. The whole is a
delight to the mechanicallyminded eye, taking up far less
room underhood than a conventional carburetor and air cleaner.
Equally interesting, mechanically,
is the new Turboglide transmission, probably the smoothest
and quietest automatic on the market. Three turbines drive
through a planetary gearset in stages, the operation of each
one depending on the degree of turbulence in the transmission
oil. The result is an infinitely graduated torque multiplication
from start to cruising speed. Incorporated is a hill-retarder,
essentially a separate pump controlled by the driver to create
artificial oil turbulence to work against the turbine blades,
and thus retard the car.
Chevrolet on the Road
Chevrolet got its big chassis
workingover in 1955, and little need has been found to improve
the already excellent handling characteristics. Ball joint
front, leaf spring rear suspension has been softened somewhat
this year, requiring the addition of a front anti-sway bar.
Steering and braking, with power options, remain about the
same. It was an MT prizewinning package for two years in a
row.
Inside Your Chevrolet
Unchanged body dimensions are
adequately roomy. The driver will appreciate the lower hoodline
and twin hood ornaments. We have often, thought (but could
never prove) that the distracting central ornament might be
a factor in poor coursing down the road on long trips.
Interiors range from austere
in the OneFifty to a luxury above and beyond the call of the
price field in the Bel-Air. The new instrument panel in all
models is exceptionally readable and simple. The heater now
gets its air supply from vent ducts located above each headlight,
may give trouble when these clog with winter ice and slush.
Why Buy?
If you like the styling, you
then have choice ranging from near top economy to probable
top performance, all packaged to your taste . . . Fuel injection
for the mechanically progressive . . . Smoothest automatic
transmission for the lazy . . . Excellent roadability and
handling. |
