I am in the early stages of building a 36 Chevy pick up and I would like to have a sleeper feel to it. I have searched for some examples of hot rod sleepers but maybe I am using the wrong terminology or methods. Does anyone have any examples of hot "sleepers"? I am planning very little flash and modifications to the body. I am going to run the fenders and keep the body fairly stock to try and create a sleeper appearance. I do plan to lower the stance and make some large improvements to the handling, and of course powerplant. Thanks
I've got an old mag burried somewhere that has a bone stock body appearing 35 ford pickup that ran real low 11's. It was green with stock chrome mirrors, door handels like I said the body was stock, it did have a different size wheel tire combo but stock flavor as well. Leave it as stock looking as you can on the outside but butcher the inside with go fast stuff.
56 don, your point on with that sleeper. Littlered I am doing the same "sleeper" approach to my 54 chevy pickup. Body pretty stock, mild mods and cream paint job. then sticking this under the hood: Should be fun. I love the sleeper look as well. Can appreciate all the wild paint jobs too, just not for me. Post pics.
...that was my intention all along. About 350 hp (13.0 100 mph 1/4 mile), handles very well, stops on a dime...and got over 25 mpg on the "66" tour last year.
Might be tight fitting that under the hood. Man, I saw that sweet Ford a while back and was drooling over it. Not really a sleeper I would say, but sure wish I could swing it.
You really want it a sleeper? Make it appear stock as possible (i.e. widen stock wheels, etc.), and paint it refrigerator green, or old man beige.
I hope you're planning to finish it nicely (shiny paint and stuff). I love discovering a car that looks like a well-maintained stocker and turns out to be a rocket ship in disguise. Rougher (patina or primer) cars can make neat sleepers too, but for my money shiny is best.
Actually, trying to do a sleeper hot rod is almost pointless. The reason being, most people automaticly assume that an older car running around MUST have a bad ass power plant. Think about it. How many of you have been just cruising and some bonehead wants to race you? Folks automaticly think ALL old cars must have something going on. The engine in my T is a basicly stock 305 SBC, yet every ricer in my hood wants a shot at her. Most times, a simple discussion on power to weight ratios ends the challenge. So, build a sleeper if you like, but as far as being stealth, it may be a losing battle.
How about this? Excuse the shadow douche bag in the photo. Truck is nearly bone stock on the outside. The mill is a 302, 4 speed toploader and an 8 inch rear. I dont know what it runs in the quarter but runs down the highway well.
building a sleeper p/u will be nice. it is harder to get away with in a bucket, anyone with eyes can see your v8 and figure even stock is way more power than needed. saw a bucket with a 2.3-4 he had the engine dulled down not to draw attention and it flat ran. i saw him take a 327 powered bucket easily. so have fun watching people hang their heads in shame after a good thrashing.
Hey littlered, welcome to the HAMB. I learned the sleeper thing from my dad. It was his kind of ride. As mentioned, stock appearance is the key to a successful sleeper but part of it was having a ride that just fit in with everyday traffic and wasn't noticed as anything different. Where I'm from a '36 pickup is gonna be a stand-out type vehicle. Even a stocker. You're never gonna sleep on me with a '36 anything, because I'll be checkin it out and expecting that it's been 'built' to at least keep up with modern traffic conditions. In my mind at least, a sleeper doesn't look built at all.
i would think a buick grand national power train in your truck would fool a lot of people.the 200r tranny was bullet proof and the engine was very dosile until you hit the loud pedal.the other advantage was the power came on gradually as the turbo spooled up.lots of cheap chip upgrades & no rumpy idle to give you away.proably have to narrow the rear end?might be hard to find a wrecked gn (87`s were the best)
I have really toyed with the idea of a turbo v6, I am also considering a small block with a full (quiet) exhaust. I understand it will always stand out compared to a prius (thank God), but I am shooting for something that doesn't stand up and announce what lies beneath. think parade truck speed appearance versus a huge super charger on top of a big block I want people to overlook the speed potential and just see and older truck in good shape This is very similar to what I was picturing.....except I plan to run steel wheels most likely painted black with a center cap. I think plain colored stock body in nice paint with boring wheels will go a long way towards making people overlook it speed wise
go to youtube and check out mighty6. you would definetly need more muffler but those sixes can sure put on the torque. build it strong and fog it.
My brother had a 70 chevelle, 454, 400 turbo trans built, posi, etc. Did alot of street racing in the early 70's and went unbeat for years. Came up on an old lark, primed didn't look like anything special so they ran and it was dead even. Afterwards the lark just kept going, made a turn and was gone so we never knew what he had, but it was fast. Looked like a real pile. Probably had a thousand pounds on my brother atleast.
My sons sleeper truck,allthough it looks like a Hot Rod he still embarrases unsuspecting Vettes & stangs that think its just an old truck . A 11 secound old truck
That reminds me of a guy I know named George that moved to Louisiana near the Texas line. 49-54 Chevy truck, creme colored, chopped, but had a dual TBI Keith Black HEMI under the hood and NASCAR rear suspension. Cool ole truck and even a cooler ole guy!
LITTLERED...a SLEEPER is any car that looks so inocent, and then BAM it jumps up and kicks your ass. won't to see a real sleeper. search SHOCKER, yea he has a dart that looks like grandmas grocery getter. but that badboy stops the grondikes in the 1/4 mile at 11.48 E.T. O YEA!...POP.
That truck is bad ass! I think I would need a plumber's license to work on it! Thats the idea! I know where a couple of vettes are rotting away and i thought about trying to steal the drive train from one of them. even though they have been parked for years, I imagine it will still be $$$$$.
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