Hot Rods Went to Austin with an empty trailer....drove back home full! Finally got my '55

Plans are to do the car in stages...as I'm able to save up.
Norwell is going to do a rendering of the car.....I'll post that up when I get it.
Candy Red Metalflake
SBC with Edelbrock x-1 intake and 6 speed
Chromed Olds rear and chromed front suspension
white diamond interior.

Me and my grandpa had always talked about building this car....he grew up in the Bellflower/Artesia California area and we wanted to build a drag/show rod with a '61-'62 feel. Not really a strictly drag racing car...more of a bad ass street car that could of been brought to the drags on the weekends.

 

Nice car! I'm not a gasser fan, but stick to your plan... unless you change it of course.

 

Looks like a great car to start any project with, and since it's your car you should do it your way! I can easily see it as a gasser!

 

Hey, it's your car build it the way you want! Looks damn good now so just make sure you do a good job.

RGG

 

imo, it already has an attitude. it has a great stance to it. i'd leave it the way it is, just put a nice Chevy V8 in it. Who cares if gas is nearly $4.00 a gallon!

 

I really like it as it sits. How is it lowered? Spindles or cut coils? If it's just cut coils, then I wouldn't feel as bad about changing it.

But of course, my '55 sits just like that, so perhaps I am biased...

 

cut coils in the front, blocks in the back

 

What a shame to turn that nice 55 into a gasser. It sits a little too low now but that could be fixed with a nice modern supension.

There are some builders making some very nice new chassis all fitted with great suspension to update the old girl.

 

I didn't think i'd get soo much flak from guys for turning the car into a gasser....maybe they need a new board, Haters of Alteration Message Board HAMB
everyone's classic was new once....I didn't see too many stock cars at the LSRU

 

i think it looks bitchin the way it is. very nice find


BTW I like your 66 caddy too!

 

nice lookin 55 as it sits now its too low are you going gasser or street freak ? i like gassers and i like streetfreaks the one thing i dont like is radiousing the rear wheel openings i wouldnt do that if it were mine

now raising the rear wheel openings a couple inches would look good or graft in some nomad rear wheel openings

but if those rear tires are the ones your gonna run its either gonna have to be way high (streetfreak) or radiused (gasser)

id love to find a 55 -57 chevy someday

 

Congrats! Thats a sweet 55. I checked it out Friday night at ASS. That pic of your little one says it all man. Best of luck with your build.

 

oh man, you got to leave it the way is sits now. it looks killer.

 

Perfect car for a gasser project! Keep us posted.

 

Dont want to jump on the band wagon but i like it the way it is!! But its your car and they look just as good gasser style. Good luck on build.

 

Cool score, nice 55 bro. The youngster is digging it big time. Sick puppy I am, I love it the way it is. Good luck with the project man. ~sololobo~

 

Nice Car !

 

If I understand it correctly, it already has 3 pedals ... needs a muncie and nice SBC ... maybe a 283 ... I like the paint the way it is but I would loose the writing.

 

Man, these guys act like THEY ponied up the cash for it. I dig the stance now as well, but you obviously have a vision for the car so don't let anyone's comments lead you astray. How many people to you think told me I couldn't build my Kaiser the way I wanted it? Now they all want one.

 

Nice car, I love the Gasser look, but that has a nice look as is.

 

Its really hard to screw up a 55 no matter what way you go. I tried to screw a few up but failed! Cool piece will be watching for updates.....best Russ

 

"Man, these guys act like THEY ponied up the cash for it."
Couldn't say it better.Build it as per plan.

 

The car's ok. The kid is great! Gerrit likes it......a lot!! He's too cute.

 

Gasser isn't the direction I'd go...but that's cause I don't race.

Here is some eye candy for you, though!

 

I think you can have both a good looking high nose style and drivability.
Instead of a straight axle, a set of upper ball joint spacers and either taller springs or a spacer under your genie spring will give you both aspects.
Not expensive to do and easy to change around until you get what you like.I used this method in 1969 on a 55 and people seemed to like the look. The car was a little bouncey with 58 chevy wagon springs, so I put spacers under the stock springs and it still sat nice but rode better. I agree with the start with the best body you can theory.

 

Love, the 150s and the young man in the front seat priceless. Have a ball man!

 

I love those 55 chevys. I had two . I wish I had them now. enjoy !

 

Really sweet car! There was a guy in Abernathy that had a 55 gasser for sale. Satin black roll cage and a fiberglass tilt front end. No motor or trans for $3500! I wanted to buy it really bad but I've already got too many projects that I can't get around to finishing.....

 

I like them both ways but I have had a lot of fun with my gasser well I think its a gasser. the main thing is have fun with it..

 

haha, russ said it the best, no matter which way you go it will still be a 55 chevy, and that is in my opinion one of the best looking cars ever made by chevrolet... .. car looks sweet now, but i know you didnt buy it just to sit around and marvel at someone elses taste and craftsmanship..

plus working on that car, gasser or not, will be a father son project that kid will never forget.. i helped my dad build a willys back when i was about 6 years old, and thats what got me into old cars in the first place.. congratulations on the great find.. id love to have one just like it one of these days