I've looked high and low across the internet for a company that makes a one piece fibergl*** front end for a 56 chevy. The only ones I've been able to find are molded with hood scoops (scotts rods) or without a section of the hood (vfn). Anyone know of anyone else in the business? I'd also be interested if anyone had an old one they might sell.
I have a friend that deals in Tri-Vive Chevrolet cars AND parts. He has a used, one piece, fibergl*** nose for a 56 Chevrolet. I'll send you his info, although shipping may be an issue for you. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Thanks Phil! Just what I have been looking for. And Butch, I got your PM, but I think your are right, shipping from Washington State would not be cheap. After seeing this gl***tek piece I think I may as well just go with that due to the company being just a few hours north! So, yes just like Fred said, the hamb is awesome!
Some 40 years or so ago, I bought a NEW fibergl*** nose for my 56 Bracket Car. I bought it from Jim Green's Performance Center, in Lynnwood, Wa (this was LONG before he moved the shop to Monroe, Wa, and just recently closed up the business); this was Jim Green of Green Elephant Funny Car fame. Anyway, it arrived in a BIG cardboard box, that was about a foot SHORTER than a 56 nose is tall (???). We took the nose out of the box, and the rear trailing ends of the fenders were rolled under to fit into the box; pulled the ends out and the hood area caved in. That just was't going to work, and the nose went back to the company who made it, but I don't remember who that was. I did buy a used nose that was of thicker/heavier material, and I further reinforced it with wood strips fibergl***ed in. I then put the stock steel hood and fenders up for sale; the one guy who came to look at them noticed the fibergl*** nose, and decided he HAD to have it. He even offered me DOUBLE what I had paid for it. I sold it to him for his wrecked, 56 Bel Air, 4 door hard top; I still say that was probably the only 56, Bel Air, 4 door hard top in the United States, probably the world, with a fibergl*** nose! I then bolted the stock hood and fenders together, used VW fender welting (paintable) between the hood and fenders, and made a tilt front end. To this day, I regret doing that to a 56 Chevrolet, but back then, who cared? Generally speaking, there are RACE weight and STREET weigh noses; the street version being made with thicker/heavier material than race weight. The nose my friend currently has is street weight, he does't plan on using it and does't even want to attempt to sell it (???), and I could probably get it for nothing, or close to it. I've been tempted to grab it, just to have it, but room is at a premium in my garage, plus it would need some work (minor repair). I wonder if a HAMB relay would work here? To get the used nose I bought home, I literally stuck in on my little sister's 62 Chevy II Station Wagon, backwards over the rear of the Wagon, and strapped it on. I got LOTS of strange looks taking it home. I also used that little Chevy II Wagon to flat tow the 56 to the paint shop, and it did fine, 194 CID six cylinder and 3-speed transmission, but it was really just a straight shot there and back. Does US Body Source have a 56 nose in their catalog of parts? I know they were the first to make complete, fibergl***, 55 Chevrolet bodies; even a Sedan Delivery version. I think they were in Florida (???). I'd keep the stock front end myself, unless it was a strictly race type of car. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Not to hijack, but just a little trivia. Remember back in the 70s, as a 10, 11 12 year old ,flipping through the JC Whitney catalog, which was my 2nd favorite catalog with the Sears Wishbook being first, and the Blie Chip Stamps book 3rd. Anyways, the listing in JC Whitney for fibergl*** front fenders, hood, doors, and trunk lids for TrI 5 Chevys. If only a HAMBer would invent a time machine. We can all die happy.[emoji4][emoji41] Sent from my SM-J700T1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I got a 56 nose from gl***tec about 12 years ago. For a race car it would be fine . But if your like ,me and fit and finish is your thing , you will not be happy. Not complaining about the company , they where nice to do business with. Just a little first hand knowledge to keep in mind. Also don't take a v6 , 2 wheel drive S10 to pick it up . That big crate standing up in the back of that little truck made the 2.5 hour drive down there turn into a 4 hour drive coming back! lol. I would suggest a trailer that you can lay it flat on. Larry
I got a couple of the gl*** fenders around 75' for a 51' Ford and they were pretty bad; so bad I couldn't do anything with them..Sent them back..Made a mold off the stock nose and took it to a boat builder to lay it up..I did the finish work/frame and it has been on the car for 41 years...
To the OP - More than one 'gl*** front clip was on mine before I swore 'em off. A new one out of the mold is still ''green'' and doesn't take a set right away. Sitting it on the car right away could save grief after it's cured.
I haven't completely abandoned the idea of just using the original fenders and hood. I mostly really just like ease of access to the engine compartment that the flip nose would provide. I kind of already rid of the idea of doing a full metal tilt front end like Butch said he had once done. Seems it would be a huge PITA to set up and wouldn't be worth the trouble in the end. So the only way I'll end up doing a tilt if is it's gl***, and if I don't do that I will simply just use the outer fenders and the hood. Which brings me to the question of how much weight do you really save with the gl*** nose?
You may want to check out HAMB member "fast30coupe", and his 56, 210, Sedan; he's working with a gl*** nose for his car, and may be able to tell you where it came from. It looks new. I spoke with my friend Larry today, and I can get the fibergl*** nose he has for NOTHING. I have no use for it, so if you want it, there you go. It does need some minor repair, nothing major at all. I have no way to provide photos however. So, if you're interested, you'll have to come up with a way to ship, HAMB relay, whatever. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Awesome! I think I may just have to take you up on this. At the cost of $820 for the cost of a new one/$700 without shipping it seems like to good of an opportunity to miss out on. I'm not exactly sure what it costs to have something that large shipped. Gl***tek's website says they only charge $120 to have their fibergl*** noses crated and shipped by UPS truck freight, so unless they take a major hit on shipping I can't imagine it coming close to the cost of a new one. I'll have to get in touch with you by phone.
Im pretty sure Scottrods can do this without scoop as well. Some times you have to call them as they have several variations of parts not listed.
I had figured they probably could, I talked to Scott at the meltdowns about two years ago, his stuff seemed really quality. But you know how the saying goes..get what you pay for. You've either got no money and lots of time or no time and lots of money, and in my case I've got little of both for this project due to vintage motorcycle racing being my main hobby.
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