I recently had the opportunity to fly a 1956 year model Cessna 172. It
does not fly like our 172L at all. It leaps off the ground at a mere
50MPH indicated, climbs at what appears to be a Vx of about 57MPH and a
Vy of about 65MPH. It only cruises at about 110MPH ( ~95 kts) unless
you rev the holy snot out of the engine. All speeds confirmed with a
handheld GPS so I know the ASI wasn't just reading low. Stalls were
very gentle and no wing drop tendency compared to the 172L which is
abrupt and will drop a wing in a hurry if the ball isn't centered.
With 40 degrees worth of manual lever-operated barn doors hanging off
the backs of the wings, landings can be about as short as if it were a
big Cub. A very pleasing aircraft to fly and it was amazing to think
that I was flying around in a machine a half-century old!