56 Beauties at Car Museum
NORWICH – “The Class of ’56,” 22 beautiful cars that were new in 1956, are now on display at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich. The new exhibit opened with a party for members on May 19, and will be in place for the next year. The name of the exhibit has a double meaning, of course, because 1956 cars were certainly “classy,” and 2006 is the 50-year reunion of everyone who graduated with the “Class of ’56.” At the Northeast Classic Car Museum, 2006 is also the year for a 50-year reunion of a representative of almost every brand of car made in 1956.
1956 was the year that saw Elvis break into the music charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel, the new show on Broadway was My Fair Lady, Grace Kelly married her prince, the phrase “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis appeared together for the last time, and Tom Hanks was born and Isham Jones died. 1956 was midway between the end of the Korean War and the beginning of Viet Nam, and Americans were feeling pretty good, with a new car a definite possibility for many.
In 1956, a new car cost around $2,000, gas was 30 cents a gallon, and the average annual salary was $5,300. The Ford Thunderbird, in its second year, gained a continental kit, while the 4-year-old Corvette was completely redesigned. Fins continued to grow, on their way to the wretched excess of 1959. Many cars featured beautiful colors, with as many as 20 choices available, and some went from two-tone to three-tone. Convertibles were especially popular, and almost every brand included one among its models.
The cars in this exhibit are representative of this halcyon year. The Big Three automakers dominated sales, with each having all its names: GM had Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet; Ford had Lincoln, Mercury, and Ford; Chrysler had Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth. Several other brands were about to disappear: Nash, Hudson, Packard, and Studebaker. Very few foreign-made cars appeared on American highways, with English sports cars and the ubiquitous Volkswagen beetle the exceptions.
For you youngsters who wondered, Isham Jones was a famous bandleader and composer of the 1920s and 30s, who wrote the music for “It Had To Be You” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” songs that were still popular in 1956.
Kay Zaia, executive director of the Northeast Classic Car Museum, has announced that special arrangements are available for any Class of ’56 that would like to hold part of their 50th reunion at the Museum. Regular hours at the Museum are 9 –5 every day. The Museum is located at 24 Rexford St. in Norwich. Zaia can be reached at 334-2886 or Kay@classiccarmuseum.org.
1956 was the year that saw Elvis break into the music charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel, the new show on Broadway was My Fair Lady, Grace Kelly married her prince, the phrase “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis appeared together for the last time, and Tom Hanks was born and Isham Jones died. 1956 was midway between the end of the Korean War and the beginning of Viet Nam, and Americans were feeling pretty good, with a new car a definite possibility for many.
In 1956, a new car cost around $2,000, gas was 30 cents a gallon, and the average annual salary was $5,300. The Ford Thunderbird, in its second year, gained a continental kit, while the 4-year-old Corvette was completely redesigned. Fins continued to grow, on their way to the wretched excess of 1959. Many cars featured beautiful colors, with as many as 20 choices available, and some went from two-tone to three-tone. Convertibles were especially popular, and almost every brand included one among its models.
The cars in this exhibit are representative of this halcyon year. The Big Three automakers dominated sales, with each having all its names: GM had Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet; Ford had Lincoln, Mercury, and Ford; Chrysler had Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth. Several other brands were about to disappear: Nash, Hudson, Packard, and Studebaker. Very few foreign-made cars appeared on American highways, with English sports cars and the ubiquitous Volkswagen beetle the exceptions.
For you youngsters who wondered, Isham Jones was a famous bandleader and composer of the 1920s and 30s, who wrote the music for “It Had To Be You” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams,” songs that were still popular in 1956.
Kay Zaia, executive director of the Northeast Classic Car Museum, has announced that special arrangements are available for any Class of ’56 that would like to hold part of their 50th reunion at the Museum. Regular hours at the Museum are 9 –5 every day. The Museum is located at 24 Rexford St. in Norwich. Zaia can be reached at 334-2886 or Kay@classiccarmuseum.org.
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