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: January 15, 1999
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                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
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                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1996-C
                    -----------------------------------------
                      (Issuer with respect to Certificates)


       Delaware              333-7575               13-2633612
      ---------------     -----------------       ------------------
      (State or other      (Commission            (IRS Employer
      jurisdiction of      File Number)           Identification No.)
      incorporation)


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


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

<PAGE>


Item 5. Other Events

  On 1/15/1999, Chase Manhattan  Auto Owner Trust 1996-C (the "Trust") made the
distribution  to  Certificateholders  contemplated  by the Sale and Servicing
Agreement,  dated as of December 1, 1996 (the "Sale and Servicing Agreement"),
between Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as Seller and Servicer,
and the Trust, as Issuer.  A copy of the Certificateholder Report for such
Distribution  Date delivered  pursuant  to section 5.8 of the Sale and 
Servicing  Agreement is being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report 
on Form 8-K.

  Item 7 (c). Exhibits
           

  Exhibit   Description
  -------   -----------
 
  20.1      Monthly Certificateholder's statement with respect to the
            January 15, 1999 distribution.

<PAGE>

                              SIGNATURES
                              ----------



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



                                            CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA,
                                            NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 

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


Date: February 4, 1999       

<PAGE>

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

                                                           
   Exhibit                 Description                        
   -------                 -----------                        

 
  20.1          Certificateholder Report dated 2/2/1999 delivered pursuant to
                Section 5.8 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement dated as of
                December 1, 1996.