My other project 57 Chevy

[farmall fred]

A member requested some pictures of my 57 Chevy BelAir 2 DRHT Project. I have been working on it off and on for about 6 years and had promised my self that I would have it on the road by spring. Problem is my 1872 rebuild turned into a might as well since I am this far and if you have followed the thread you know what I mean.

A little history on the car. In 1977 we traded a 69 Pontiac Grand Prix for it and drove it as our family car until 1983 when I parked with intentions of restoring it. As they say, life gets in the way and it sat in a corn crib for 27 years. One day, I walked by it and decided to open the hood and when I turned the fan the engine turned over. I then decided to drag it out and I had it running two days later. One thing lead to another and before long it was blown apart. Here are a few progress pics to show the extent of the work I have done to get it to its present state. I am going old school on the look of the build. It will be running a built '57 - 283 Cu In - 270 hp with a Crowler solid cam, 461 heads from a early 327 with larger valves, Factory dual fours using the Carter WCFB carbs, and a set of NOS Doug Thorley headers. This is backed by a Lakewood scatter shield, a blow proof clutch assy and a T5 transmission and 4:11 posi in a beefed '57 rear end. I call it my high school dream car. For tires and wheels I am using 15x7 & 15x8 American T70R mags and P215x65R15 & P275x60R15 tires. I have installed disc brakes, front and rear sway bars, HD Delco shocks, Power Steering, Hydro boost power brakes, Vintage Air AC and Power windows and seats. Should be a great cruiser if I ever finish it.
Start of rebuild

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Body braced and lifted off frame

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Floor removed

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New floor bolted to frame and body attached with sheet metal screws to allow for alignment of gaps

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Trunk braced and trunk floor removed

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Trunk floor installed and wheel tubs and inner trunk wall patching done.

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Finished trunk repairs and tail pan welded in. Bumper installed to check on alignment.

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Inner quarter repaired and coated with epoxy primer, ready for new quarter panel

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Rear quarter panel tack welded in place. These replacement quarter panels required over 40 hrs labor each to modify, and rework into acceptable parts.

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Welding of floor and all inner structure finished.

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Finished 2-1/2 in stainless exhaust fitted up and transmission cross member installed.

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Current state of project. New door skins and inner door bottoms installed. All fabrication is done and every component and piece of trim has been mocked up to verify proper fitment and gaps. I need to spend about two days on the hood and front fenders and then the car will be ready for the start of block sanding and priming until it is perfectly straight. Hope you all enjoy my other project that as soon as I finish the 1782 I will get back on.
Tom

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[Rmowl]

That's great, awesome build, sounds like it's gonna be a nice one. Always been a Chrysler guy but really respect a good Chevy, the two late model Chevy vehicles my wife and I own have been phenomenal.

[Mike McKown]

Looks like you've put a ton of work into the car already. It ought to be a great car when you're done.

The compression on that engine will be a little low with those heads unless you did something with the pistons?

[farmall fred]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

Looks like you've put a ton of work into the car already. It ought to be a great car when you're done.

The compression on that engine will be a little low with those heads unless you did something with the pistons?

I was able to score a set of NOS .060 TRW forged pop up pistons. If I calculated right I should be around 10.25 to one compression. I need to actually cc the heads to be sure.

[drglinski]

Awesome! Sorta sounds like a Roadkill show (found it in a barn, it turned over so let's get it running.) Going to be a great build when you're done.

[Jumper]

That looks just like my Dads fuel injected Bonnaville with a rag top, also a 57 if I remember right. My dad had a bad time trying to keep it adjusted in the winter so he pulled the injection system off and put a standard manifold and carb on it. I just sold the fuel injection system about 3 years ago to a guy in Mi. The family really loved that car. Looking good Fred, keep up the good work.

[Sam Mac]

Nice project.

[spudder]

Brings back memories. My first car was a '57 Bel Air hardtop, turquoise and white. Got it in 1966 and drove it through my freshman year in college in 1971. Wish I still had it but Illinois winters were not kind to it!
I have the itch for another one but pocketbook won't allow it!
Are you going to put a "Bat wing" air cleaner over the 2X4 setup?
Keep the pictures coming.

[drivinlow]

Farmall fred Have you heard of Trifive.com ? Great bunch of guys there if you need information on your build

[farmall fred]

Originally Posted by spudder

Brings back memories. My first car was a '57 Bel Air hardtop, turquoise and white. Got it in 1966 and drove it through my freshman year in college in 1971. Wish I still had it but Illinois winters were not kind to it!
I have the itch for another one but pocketbook won't allow it!
Are you going to put a "Bat wing" air cleaner over the 2X4 setup?
Keep the pictures coming.

The price of a Batwing is to rich for my blood. Since this is my high school dream car I will be running the stock 57 Corvette air cleaners and finned valve covers. My first car was a hand me down 57 210 2 dr sedan I was not kind to it and crashed it on a snow covered road in my senior year.