Projects 1954 Corvette budget resto

Like a lot of folks I have always wanted an early C1 Corvette but never had the money to afford one. Found a project 1954 just after Christmas last year that was in my price range and thought I would document the first year progress here. It is very rough, an ex-drag car, with 70 years of neglect. At one time had a straight axle but that was long gone and had a stock front end when I bought it. Going to build something I can drive the hell out of and not worry too much about it being perfect.

As purchased.

 

Pulled the body off using my trusty engine lift and a few ratcheting straps.

 

Great start

 

Lots to fabricate and fix. The frame had some rust especially in the rear crossmember. I know aftermarket items are available but I am cheap and have the time to repair. Stock hood latches were missing so fabricated some from old VW parts. Going to be powered by an early SBC with a saginaw 4 speed so mounts had to be fabricated. Also going with hydraulic clutch.

 

This is where I jump the shark a bit. I have heard that these drive like an old truck most likely because of the old steering boxes. I didn't want to use an aftermarket IFS (expensive!) so going to try using a Unisteer cross steer rack in place of the steering box. This is a right hand version for the Australian market. As the steering wheel rotates the rack will push/pull the original swing arm to rotate the tires. It may not work and can easily go back to the original box but results so far are encouraging.

 

Prime and paint this summer. My goal was to get it in paint by the fall so I could assemble over the winter. Want to be driving by next summer. Just made it.

 

Whoops forgot to post some of the body work. Lots of gaping holes in the transmission tunnel and engine bay from drag car modifications. The trans tunnel was fixed with an aftermarket repair panel for a 1956 which worked for the 4 speed shifter placement. The engine bay was fixed with an aluminum sheet formed to fit and layered with fiberglass and epoxy.

 

factory color?

 

Where I am now. Maybe a little further. Wiring in progress. Blacked out fender wells and front area. Radiator in. Gauges repaired and in. Upholstery started. Engine and trans in. Brake lines run. Etc. Should make my goal of driving this thing by next summer.

 

I really like the 1955 yellow so going for something close. I had a leftover gallon from painting my 41 Ford and going with the same color.

 

'55 had a color similar to your primer, had green interior. Good start on your project. You type faster then me. It will look good with red interior.

 

Very cool project! I would also love to have a budget built first generation vette as a driver. I’ll be following along.

 

Will do. Never sure about etiquette here and wasting bandwidth. You will be pleased to know that I am painting flake on the dash and some of the interior bits and going to run spinner hubcaps. Probably 59 Buick.

 

Looks like you're doing great on it. I was lucky with my 62, the body was already usable, so I didn't have to mess with fiberglass and paint.

Just make sure you leave enough defects in the finish so you won't worry about it getting dings when you drive it...then put some miles on it! They're fun to drive

oh--the "drive like a truck" thing, I guess whoever said that never drove an old truck, because the stock steering/suspension on these cars is miles ahead of my 59 Chevy truck! I would have left the stock steering gear in it, too.

 

That pale yellow color always looks great on curvy '30s-'50s bodies. Looks like you are making great progress.

 

I painted it in my driveway and ended up with lots of bugs, pollen and runs (because I always put way too much paint on) so far from perfect. But it's single stage and most wet sanded, polished out.

I have never driven one so don't have first hand experience. It came with a shortened steering column and some sort of mopar steering box that was mounted on top of the frame. The drag link connection was on the opposite side of the frame (probably for the straight axle) and there was no way it was going to attach to the stock swing arm. This was my laying awake at night, thinking too much idea. I have since picked up a stock steering column/box at a swap meet just in case I need to revert.

 

That body is already Better than new, great color. Carry on!!

 

I would agree with Squirrel. My 57 Corvette drives nice with stock suspension. It rides nicer than my C4.
I always hear how bad the ride and steer and don't handle.
The same person seems to expect it to ride like a Cadillac and handle like it is on rails.
It is a 1950's sports car. I have owned or driven a lot of different sports cars from that era. The Corvette is very much typical of most of them. They feel more solid on the road than most and have the advantage of being made by Chevrolet. That means parts are more easily sourced.

 

Wow!!
Great car and transformation.

 

Nice, looks good. You will be fine with the stock steering. After completely rebuilding the entire steering, brakes and suspension (not cheap)on my '62, it rides, steers, handles and stops like a brand new 1949 Chevy on a short wheelbase. Keep the stock 17 inch steering wheel if you have it.

 

A 50 ish chevy car box can be made to work on these with a little grinding were it mounts and the ratio is a bit slower then add a quick steer adapter that brings it back to a bit faster than a standard Vette box but slower than a Vette box with a quick steer adapter .
Then shorten the column as it should have been from the factory with cutting up a expensive original vette box.

My 57 has shims for the caster which you will want if you have the rear raised up.
Keep the front wheels fairly skinny and as little offset out as possable.
Steering gets heavy otherwise .

Cool project.

 

Suspension mods include the aluminum wedges to add caster, front and rear sway bars with the front being the beefier 1960+ version. 1 inch lowering blocks in back and to lower the front 1 inch I am using uprights from a 1954 passenger car. The front end may still be too high but will see when everything gets reinstalled. Tires are 205-75-15 so should handle okay. Thanks all. Oh and it does have the quick steer kit installed. Travel for the swing arm with the quick steer is 6 inches lock-to-lock which matches the travel of the Unisteer rack perfectly.

 

Sounds like it'll be a fun car...keep us updated on your progress

 

I have a bit wider tire on the front and with the quick steer adapter caster shim I'd call my steering to heavy . I'm going to change it .

I have actually messed up the threads on a grant type steering wheel adapter cranking on the wheel trying to get out of a tight spot. I lilely have a bit to much camber to.
Steering is one of the things I'd like to change.

Not HAMB stuff but I was actually looking into a electric PS motor that goes inline on the steering shaft.
Saw were guys use Prius unit.
There is a GM unit also that requires some electronics.

Maybe that should be in the non traditional area?

At speed my car ( 57)handles OK .
I did add disk brakes on the front .
The 1/2 more offset outward made it worse

 

Enjoy it, drive it, beat on it. My Vette is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Old Hot Rod Vettes can't be beat.

 

Cool car, dig the color. Maybe I missed it, what is the drivetrain going in?

 

I've always wanted to find something like that so I could put a 302 GMC in it.