Projects Southeast Gassers '55 Chevy Build

Well, I've been talked down off the ledge a coupla times, but I'm forging on.

Cut the inside out of the deck lid, lighten it up. I've gotta trim up/clean up the cut. Wanted to fit it on n see just how far I could go.


Got the lower corners of the trunk opening recreated. Man, there's like three layers of metal to cut out/rebuild. Was not super particular, I was hackin' metal like a rat rodder. Weld it in, grind it semi smooth, and when it comes time, add some 'body-work-in-a-can' plus some high build primer. Sand n paint...done deal...damn it.



Fit the deck lid and try on the bumper. It does give a little inspiration that the back end is lookin' like a car again.


Still workin'...phone updates periodically. Forging, pressing ahead.

 

Lookin good Tim! You'll be ready by Run What Ya Brung for sure!

 

could always lose the "bumperets" in the rear. nice build, gotta love them '55s

 

What about cutting the inner trunk aprons out all together?

 

..,ours got the hot wrench treatment back in the day with Elliot Smiths D/A version of the car. The "tin" work was there when we got the car, but it was little more than Reynolds Wrap, and really poorly done, so I cut it all out, and the rest of the originally steel, and redid it all. Only regret is that we did it in steel again, instead of aluminum.

 

How much weight did you cut out of the deck lid?

 

Cool story and nice work so far, rust sucks

 

Didn't weigh the inner panel from the deck lid. Man, the the ol' Child got a colon cleansing back in the day. Nice job on the new metal. I'm gonna have to study on that, hmmmmm....

 

Forgot to mention, not seen in the photo, we fiber glasses the wheel tubs and rear panels behind the tail lights etc. to the inside of the quarter panels.

 

What happened to this build, anyone know?

 

This is beer drinking season, and the builder of this car is a maintenance supervisor for a major brewer and works major OT this time of year plus he is a crew chief for another gasser on the SEG circuit. He stays busier than a one armed paper hanger without taking time out to post here.

 

Had to subscribe to this one too. Hey that 327 looks damn near like mine. I dig it!

 

WillyB, the pretty lady isn't rubbing my shoulders, she's tying an apron on me! I was cooking bacon and eggs at Dixie Fried @ the Starlight Drive In on a Labor Day weekend several years ago, back the very first time I went on an overnighter with the Sock Fuckers. That morning I cooked about 6-7 # of bacon and about 6-7 dozen eggs for the group.
the pretty lady is Kim, Dogpatch's wife.
Dogpatch is, as I'm sure you're aware is the owner/builder/driver of Quick and Dirty, the big, bad ass 39 Dodge coupe on the SEGA circuit.
Kim usually goes with Tony (Dogpatch) and often acts as "back up girl".

 

Ha!! Flattery will get you everywhere except to the finish line first The old hemi is giving me fits right now. Where is Tim????

 

Where's the updates Tim???

 

Man, I've put in more hours at work this year than ever before. Leave the house at 10a and get home at midnight, mostly 6 days a week. It sure helps on building one of these things financially, but doesn't leave much time. I've been able to hit a good number of the SGA events, hang with Tony and the fellas a bit. Took my '34 truck to three good get-togethers (Austin for the Lonestar Round Up, Winston-Salem NC for the Old North State Rod and Custom Invitational, and to Lafayette LA for the Bayou Round Up). Great folks at every one!! Caught up with some folks I hadn't seen in a while. Hopefully I can post something decent here before too long. Made some decisions that got me over a couple of hurdles on this dang thing. Haven't done one of these before, gotta wing it and try to be safe.

 

Cant wait till you are droppin the clucth brotherman!!!!!

 

Checking back in! Where's a progress pic or two at least!