Hmmm looking at the last picture I posted there seems to be some swingset chain down near the fuel pump. I am going to try to get back over there Sat or Sun to do more investigation. Its probably a good thing I don't have a trailer.
Someone put a lot of effort in that car and built a hot rod. I dont know if the welds are good, or if it is safe, but a lot of effort went into it. I bet the rear end is not stock either.
With the rear fenders cut out it might have been the start of a ' W ' powered gasser, rare piece so you ought to save it and get it running !!! DND
Yeah the swingset chain makes me want to go back again and take a MUCH closer look at several things. I just happened onto this encounter today by chance. Wasnt very prepared to be crawling over, under and through the car.
yep....late basket wires wheels on it so it could have rolled into the 90's.......get it quick....u-haul has trailers and pick up's to rent !!!!!
If the chain is there because of a broken engine mount, it's on the wrong side! The engine rotates to the right, lifting the left side when torqued............. Ray
The W engine is cool all by itself, and in that body style it will be something you don't see every day. Someone has done some work at some point in time and it will be interesting to see what transmission and rear end are in it. What brakes are on the front?
Being its a BelAir and a W motor you need to get it home ASAP. Even if you never make time to work on it you will definitely have a great conversation piece and you will give it a better home than where it is Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
On the swing set chain deal, I agree . It should be on the drivers side; but then again I didn't put it on there...
Just get it out of there. Not every engine needs a rebuild. You're a fuel pump, carburetor, gas tank, and a fluid change away from proving me wrong.
Agreed kidcampbell on the quick mechanical makeover. I am working on a deal now.....so hopefully things will go in favor of everyone involved!
W's can get expensive to rebuild. 348 or 409. Although, you can interchange some parts with small blocks. Check out 348-409.com. Either way, someone needs to get that heap out of there and back on the road. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I'd love to find that. Like everyone says, grab it, sort out what to do with it later. Cool combination, and maybe someone local knows the back story on it.
Buy it. Very cool old build that you can freshen up. If you're looking to flip it, that car cleaned up and any running condition will be worth the effort. Roll the dice on if it will run again.
It's not sitting here yet. It will likely be the end of March before I get the go ahead to drag it home. It's mine, I just have to wait for some probate shit. In the meantime I am shopping for a car hauler/trailer to buy. I've been toying with the idea of buying one, so it's time to pull the trigger on it. I have a couple of other cars to move around so why not.....
I'm hoping to get out there tomorrow with a real camera to take some more pictures. I want to get some of the interior to post up.
Better hurry up and buy it before the Gas Monkeys get to it, buy all 3 and then decide what to keep! A 51 Hardtop with a 348 is way cool in its own right.
I was scrolling through my phone and found a picture I forgot I even took. I wasn't able to get back out there today but hopefully I can make it out there in the next few days.
Some of the early 348's were bored out to 409. I always assume the worst but if you like that body style, you will have an interesting project. Those old chevy's had lots of rust problems, the chassis is poor, but it would make a great car when completed. There were lots of clearance problems with v8 swaps so don't be surprised at the amount of crude work you may find. That's a Ford ac compressor so there's a good chance a hot rodder built the car with the best he could find at the time which could be late 60's or early 70's.
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