The 1956 Corvette recieved the first major body styling change since it's inception. The instrument panel was the only thing to stay the same. New features included roll-up windows with a power-assist option. The side-cove was new and could be painted a different color. For the first time Corvette had external door handles. Exposed headlights with chrome surrounds (except for very early production which were painted) were also new. Both white plastic and chrome steel shifter knobs were used, the white plastic was used earlier in the production year. This year introduced the dual four-barrel carburetors for the first time, these included a cast aluminum intake manifold. Valve covers for the base engine were painted steel covers with the Chevrolet script. Optional engines all have a 9 fin cast alloy valve cover. New passenger seats can move fore and aft, earlier models had fixed passenger seats. Dual point distributors were included on all non-base engines and a higher output (53 amp-hour) 12 volt battery was standard.