It's a quickie cheap resto with what I got, although I have been buying parts. I think since I got it, a nice c***ette radio, and vent window seals were 1st buys that have been sitting. A set of Monte Carlo SS wheels were found for $125, just to dress it up a bit, as well as a new center front bumper piece, and a decent driver's side end, missed out on one on Ebay for p***enger side, just got one the other day from tri five forum. First thing I did was buy and install a back window seal, the window was out and someone repaired around the window. Then I replaced both front wheel cylinders. A while back the budget let me order a carpet set, I debated on color. I've been trying to figure out what the previous owner was thinking when he painted the green dashboard black.The door panels are light/dark green, car is white over light green, and someone painted the dash and door top trim black and put white rolled vinyl seat covers on. I ordered a black carpet set while I figure if I want to paint the door panels, which came with new uninstalled cardboards, which they need bad. What the heck, I may go the redneck cheap route, clean up and put back in the original lt grn/dk grn. A weekend two months ago I finally went and pulled the vent windows and installed rubber on one so far, needed whisker channels so I ordered a complete set of Danchuk 4 dr rubber and seal set, next chore before vent windows go back in. A big chore still do do is install all the dash trim/heater control/glove box after the black dash paint job, fun fun. Shoot, I just remembered I need a glove box, hello Danchuks? How about a mouse, or small rat made his home under the back seat over the winter? Looks like the lil bastage chewed on my cushions for nest material, not to mention 40 pages of 56 repair manual, a piece of headliner (GRRRR) and **** on my door panels in the trunk, traps were set tonight to catch the rat. My fault, no moth balls or dryer sheets. I also fired it up then, 350 runs good, I need to check the numbers and see what year it is to buy some plugs and wires for it. Oh, also got a set of tires for the Monte rims, 4 good used ones for $90, one more chore before a good cruise. <!-- / icon and ***le --><!-- message -->Funny how you get sidetracked, I heard a joke about when you go into another room and then forget what you came for, that's how dogs live their whole lives. Although my dog Max is a pretty smart feller, as well as a fart smeller, he is up with the times, he goes out several times a day to check his Peemail. Ooops, back to the update. Finally got ready to put vent windows and fuzzy channels back in, but figured I needed to dignose the 3/4 inch drop in the front window first. Pulled the regulator and window today and found the regulator spring was broke, so that is suspect. Luckily I have a 57 4 dr ht future project, I robbed my first part from Ole Rusty. I also figured out I should do the door wiper fuzzies before the window----after I re-installed it. It really wasn't as hard lining up the rollers as I thought, it came back like riding a bicycle. But I think I can drop the window low enough just by dropping the regulator to do the wiper fuzzies. It looks good at 20 mph from 20 feet, I put the vent window ***emblies in the a while back, after the rear fuzzy channels, missing some of the screws for the stainless. Tried to fire it up but it wasn't getting gas and battery ran down. Put charger on overnight and next morning it fired up and stayed running right away. Figured out I need lug nuts for the Monte SS wheels I want to install, washed the car and drove to Advance Auto for lug nuts, but they didn't have an airline I need for the rear air shocks. Quadra Jet needs rebuild, and it sounds like a pushrod or lifter is knocking, as well as a small radiator leak. It also pulls to the left on braking, ooops, I forgot to bleed the new right wheel cylinder I installed several months ago. Quick update, back to getting it more road worthy, made the cruise on 9 mile road. <!-- / icon and ***le --><!-- message -->Was a blast to drive it to the cruise in that night, one guy came over and pointed out what was wrong with it, I was easy on him and explained it's just a driver. Another guy said he had some 56 parts left over from his build I could have for a good price, his 2 dr ht is in primer and ready for paint, he seemed kind of jealous that I had a cheap driver and no worries about scratches or anything like that with a restored car, he's a member of local club, I may have to join. Wasn't as many cars as I've seen in the past. Still a radiator leak, I pulled over on way home to put water in radiator, saw a FUEL LEAK from tank! Kept driving home while crossing my fingers, made it ok, have to figure that out, but was a fun drive. It shifts into 2nd and 3rd pretty quick, and runs at high rpms in 3rd going down the road, seems like it has high gears in rear end. Fun, fun. <!-- / message --><!-- attachments -->Latest, yup, still having fun. My brakes pulling to the left, found out I needed a front brake hose, replaced both of them. There was a knocking/tapping in the left head, figured out today it was a plugged pushrod not feeding oil. As I was working I thought how this car was a neat Ole Critter to work on, Hey, named it Ole Critter! Cleaned the pushrod with a wire brush, went for a drive with my schnauzer Max to a buddy's house and took them to a bar for a pitcher. Put on my mental To Do List adjust the right side headlight that's pointed at the ground in front of the car.
nice car--some kids around the corner from me are trying to get one running too--I go down and help them and give them parts
Nice ride, when I was just out of high school I had nine '56 Chevy's settting around my dad place. Wish I had them back!
Neat car but the Monte Carlo wheels are gross. Those wheels are fairly desirable to the G-body crowd, I'm sure you could sell them and buy something else. Anything else.
I'm not a big more door type but I just love the roof lines on the '56 Four door hard top. One of my dreams since I was in high school was to get one and turn it into a 2 door. Now I'm older and have the know how to properly do it and they are higher than a cats back or complete rust buckets. nice car.
Yeah, I know they're not traditional, some thing I saw in late 70s in Cl***ic Chevy Club mag, when they were a good magazine. Remember them? I just liked the painted look of them,and they were Z28 wheels then. I guess I could get some wide whites and center caps just like everyone else, but I do like the look of early Torque Thrust Ds, who wants to trade? Oh, my wheels do need some center caps, may improve the appearance. I've never seen a 4dr ht made into a 2 dr ht, the rear window and roof area are definietly different from a 2 dr ht. Except I have seen one where all they did was weld shut the rear doors, looks goofy. Seen a lot of 4 dr sedans made into 2 doors, easy to get parts now. Have heard of some 4 dr ht as donors for convertible clones, have actually seen pics of a 4 door hardtop with a convertible roof that looked functional, can't find any info on that car.
My opinion ain't worth much, but I'd lose those wheels. That's a nice car that deserves better wheels...unpolished American TTO's...oh, yeah.
Really cool car...looks nice and solid too.. Enjoy, And if the you like the wheels...go for it... Cheers,
Looks like a fun car. Just make it safe and enjoy. Oh, and I like it better with the black OEM wheels, for what it's worth.
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