Well, I have confirmed the date after the initial finding based on the 1955 Sturmey Archer hub. Serial number T76828 places the frame as October 1955.

Now for the puzzles...

How much is original? I am not actually looking to restore it to original, but I am curious.

My guess for the model based on the rail on the seat, chrome fenders and lack of a tank and one poor image from an online ad is 1956 Schwinn Corvette. Can anyone confirm this? It looks like the chain guard was painted black, but the underlying color looks the same as the frame...

For $10, I think this will serve its purpose well. A frankenbike...

Now, does anyone have any high rise ram horn bars... that loop around "10 speed" like.

EDIT: Just found a 1956 Corvette for sale on eBay (in very nice shape), and the chain guard is the same style, so it seems to confirm my earlier guess. (I assume that bikes made in late October were for the next model year in 1955/56 as they are now).