Take your measurements and report back. Please don't just decide to start pushing or pulling things around. With all of the rust in the lower body, you'll have problems. You need to tie all of the lower structure together before doing anything. If you don't know what you are doing, you will have problems.
check across the bottom it looks like the rocker is pushed in measure from the frame out to the pinch weld at the rocker /quarter on both sides and compare
Yep, just because it was free doesn't mean it was worth that much. Good luck with the bodywork. I hope you end up with a good car that you're happy with. Cheers.
Bud took a tape to his car for reference, mine wasn't out except for the belt line. Some 2X6 bracing, a 4X4 fitted in the opposite door jamb and a come-along. Pulled, whacked it a couple times, it's close enough to leave until some more body work then a final fit. The doors just stuffed in there and I don't have latches yet.
Get the door alinged in the opening ,bolh sides. Put some bracing in the openings and across the cabin, you can the do the floors and rockers. Full pans are available with all the crossbracing spot welded as with the inner rockers. Prices range from 1000-1200 depending on your supplier and freight. Seems like a lot of money but it will save a ton in labor . Those 2 door bodies are getting scarce.
Here's a site that I have used before for information on my '55 210. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/55index.htm <object style="position:absolute;z-index:1000" type="application/x-dgnria" id="plugin0" height="0" width="0"> </object>
Have you checked the frame for straight? How did the body/frame mounts look? A hit that hard my have moved something you haven't found yet, and you are about to put floors in. Good for you saving a POS no one else wants. That's how you learn.
The frame is in good condition, did replace half the floor braces. Body has some small kinks in the rear, nothing serious. It's an old car, has some old age flaws but so does it's owner.
Your project is lookin good. No matter what it's costing or how much work it takes you will still have a cheap Chevy. I can't believe the guys who wanted you to scrap it. That ain't traditional! I do feel sorry for those poor homeless goats. Maybe you can find them an old beat up GTO!
Your 55 is in about the same shape mine was when i got it. Glad you decided to save her and not give her back to them pesky goats......nice work...
That is what I am thinking here too. When I put mine together I used donnor doors from another car. and they were tweeked out. I just gently leaned on them it get them to sit where they need to sit when the door was closed. Window felts and channels and glass fit perfectly. Can you take some other pics for us to look at? Jay
Shit that car is totally worth saving. Free 1955 chevy like that? Man 20 years from now that thing in the condition that it is in would be a 8 out of 10. They ain't make anymore unless you are a rich goldchainer then go buy one of the repops they are doing for 30-40K A total save! I will be watchin man! So far so good! Jay
We think someone put a chain around the b and tried to pull it sideways. Used a come along and pulled it back in. I've set the original doors and another set and seems we've corrected for it. Put front and rear glass on and the gaps are equal. I'm going to live with what we have. Thanks for the encouragement, at times I have looked and wondered why I took it.
My 55 chevy pickup has a slight issue like this, although not as bad as what your dealing with. The previous owner just drove it as a beater to work and back, his wife drive it in the snow and hit a tree with it. It smashed in the drivers side fender eyebrow, tweaked everything behind it. The fender was shoved up against the door and they took a crowbar to it and bent the front flange of the door OUT to clear the fender, I had to shim the door hinges a bit and move the fender mounts a bit, (they were nonexistent due to rust anyways) to get the door to clear after I straightened it out. I think the firewall and top of the cab are just a little tweaked, its close now but will never be "perfect". Congrats on saving that old beater!
If it is the top of the door that is thr problem, simply bend it back into place. I have done this on many of a car. Grab the top of the door and place your knee on the inside at the belt line. With your arms curled up close to your body, lean back and lift your foot and let your weight pull the top of the door. Piece of cake!
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