Something about the 57 Dodge trucks that I love. It was a one year body style and is very cool. I never see them built though. Anyone know of any? Anyone know werhe any are for sale? EvilKazeevil
There's a "so ugly it's appealing" thing with the '57. Actually the body was similar for a few years with the front headlight panel and grille changes for '57. I'm doing one right now. Or I guess I should say doing it again to work out alot of bugs in engine and trans mounts and driveline angle issues. I also wanted to chop the top and smooth out the body a bit. Started it in '96 working a few hours here and there and got it on the road a few years ago. Drove it a couple years as my daily, rain or shine. I did the small block chevy thing with a 700R4 transmission. I adapted a Volare I.F.S. as I had been reading alot of articles about guys putting them under the F100's and it seemed like a good way to get power steering and brakes as well as some adjustment to ride height. It rides and steers as good as a Volare ever did. I chopped 2-1/2'' out of the top just under the back window and mid way through the doors and windshield posts. This dropped the back window down even with the side windows giving it a cleaner look and allowed me not to have to cut the big wraparound rear window. It's such a subtle chop most people wouldn't even notice but I did what I like. I shaved the door handles and filled the lock holes to clean up the body and took out the vent windows to have one piece side glass. I cut out the passenger side of the dash that matches the driver's side and cut the right half off and added it to the left half of the passenger side guage area, stretching it out and filled in the glove box opening. This makes the dash look alot smoother. The rear axle is a G.M 12 bolt with Firestone air springs and I'm finishing up the upper link bars after several design changes I think I have something I like that will work. The plan is to have it back on the road this spring. I'll try to take some pics tomorrow. It's in my new paint room addition on my shop and I'm still wiring up the lights but I can move the halogen portable light around and get a few shots for ya. If we don't get the 2 feet of snow they're calling for I might roll it outside and get some pics. They're out there for sale. Keep an eye on Hemmings and the classifieds here. I think there was one for sale here not too long ago. The sweptsides are going for crazy money but stepsides can be had reasonable.
Thank. I can't wait to see the pics. I know that the whee siimilair in other years, but it is the headlights that make the 57's to me. EvilKazeevil
I know where there is a COE 57 Dodge truck in Indiana Have seen a few trucks on the auction site ..cool trucks
Here's my 57 D-100 all stock and original I'm the 3rd owner. Has the 315 polyhead with pushbutton 3 speed TorqueFlight. Still in it's original paint a 1957 only color called "Bayview Green". These came with grill panel relief, wheels, and headlight surrounds painted in "Desert Tan" but these are green on my truck except for the wheels which were done in white. In those days Dodge would make changes if a customer requested. These photos were taken a few years ago. I spun a rod bearing and he has been sitting in the driveway for a few years awaiting implementation of the next steps, whatever that is.[/IMG]
Mine when I drove it home and what it looks like at the moment. Note the Reverse Bigs and littles Set up. Nice looking trucks, I need to gather up some more ambition to finish her up. Definatly check out Bruce's Website listed Above hes got all the pics you could want and lots of useful Info. My web site if your interested, nothing speacil just shows the tear down. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2177967
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