SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                        Date of Report: December 15, 1999


                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                 -----------------------------------------------
                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1996-C
                    ----------------------------------------
                                    (Issuer)


                                                               
         Delaware                           333-7575                     22-2382028
- ----------------------------        -----------------------          ------------------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission File Number)           (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)                                                Identification No.)




               802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware         19801
               ----------------------------------------        ---------
               (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5033





Item 5.  Other Events:

     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1996-C is the issuer of 4 classes of Asset
Backed Notes and a single class of Asset Backed Certificates. The notes and
certificates are serviced in accordance with the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
dated as of December 1, 1996, as amended. The parties to the Sale and Servicing
Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as seller and as
servicer, and Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1996-C, as issuer.

     On December 15, 1999, Chase USA, as servicer, distributed monthly interest
to the holders of the notes and certificates. Chase USA furnished a copy of the
monthly statement to certificateholders for the series as required by the Sale
and Servicing Agreement. A copy of the monthly statement to certificateholders
is being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 7(c).      Exhibits

                Exhibits        Description
                ----------      -----------

                20.1            Monthly statement to certificateholder with
                                respect to the December 15, 1999 distribution.







                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.


Dated:  December 23, 1999

                                       By: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, USA,
                                           NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                           as Servicer


                                       By: /s/ Patricia Garvey
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Patricia Garvey
                                           Title: Vice President







                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------

Exhibit No.                    Description
- -----------                    -----------
   20.1                        Statement to Certificateholders dated 11/15/1999
                               delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale and
                               Servicing Agreement dated as of December 1, 1996.