Customs Finally starting on the wife’s 56

Picked this up yesterday
Like it better than the original hood bird

A social media commenter said that some European countries didn’t like the original hood bird so GM did something similar to this ornament.
I’m no expert but it looks better regardless

 

Yea, I've read that they viewed it as "not pedestrian friendly".

 

Guy sent me a pic of this one.

similar. He mentioned the European ban on the bird
the Rocco and Cheaters guy had a table with several pieces of aftermarket trim. Ford, Plymouth, Chevy pieces.
I really didn’t realize the 56 hood had this shape stamped in it. I like this better and saves the work of reshaping the nose of the hood.

 

Was mine worth $25

 

I’d buy it.

 

A mint 55 with box sold for 50.
im planning another trip the next Saturday he’s open

 

Cool piece, you got a good deal on it. Europe was concerned about pedestrians getting impaled on hood ornaments, so they were banned. Pretty abstract to me, far fetched.

 

Same in Australia. 56's were cut down and rounded off, 55's got through at standard length. Yes, so as not to harm slow moving pedestrians.

 

YES!!! Ban the hood ornament's, they're deadly! The 3500 pound rolling piece of tin that it's mounted to, that's about to run your ass over, is inconsequential at this point! It's the hood ornament's fault! WTF...

 

It was my understanding that it was not impalement bur rather that coats and handbags could be snagged and then the pedestrian would be dragged along.

 

What did they do with bullet nosed Studes...

Sounds pretty elevated...I can just imagine someone going into the Town Hall and complaining about tearing their pants walking by...

Bylaw sends a ticket out...to appear for twisted hamstring and torn pants...

I'd figure if someone hooked someone at an intersection it'd be the driver not the ornament's fault.

Was there press on that?

 

If your coat or handbag was snagged by the hood ornament in the center of a hood you didn't need to worry about being dragged along, more like ran over as there isn't a coat or handbag strap long enough to get you to the side of the car.

 

Spindles and cut 1 round of coil.
Set blocks under the arms for the correct spindle height per tire diameter.
These were new springs installed by the previous owner and measured around 16.5 inches tall. Even with a coil missing and weight in the car, the upper co trip arms are still on their bump stops

must be some high rate springs. It barely deflects if any even with my weight on it.
Springs are back in their correct pocket.
Had these shocks on it

had em in the back as well. I guess they used that old trailer hitch

 

Guy must have driven a mine truck and liked the ride!

 

Move your blocks out to the spindle and test it!

 

Better yet, place some scrap pipe under the blocks. That way blocks can move left to right as suspension settles to it’s resting point.

 

Should be able to get wheels on it tonight.
Hopefully the leverage helps.
If not, I’ll cut some more

we ain’t building a 4x4

 

2 inch blocks, spindles and 1 coil.
Needs 1/2 to another complete coil gone and a 1-2 more in back

Wife said she digs the new “bird”.
And the rest of the hood and tailgate emblems need to go

 

Might as well get rid of the quater scripts too

 

Wife says it’s too high.

back to cutting

 

Yes and a trans.
No rad or battery

 

2 more in the back.

better

 

You get it any lower you won't be able to put anything or anyone in it!

 

Sure can. Once I get this height dialed in I can make plans to keep it there. Some trad air helper springs might just work
Car has the HD 7 leaf pack. I’ll get it to sit like we like it with em.