Hey guys, I’m starting on my 32 3 window and trying to pick a direction to go. I really like early traditional builds with wishbones and bango rear ends etc, but since the car is already rolling I thought I should find out more about the way it is now. I believe it has a olds 9.3 rear end with triangulated four link. Up front it looks like a 32 axel, which has holes from a tow bar to probably get to the track, and 40s style round back spindles and Airheart disc breaks. So my question is does anyone recognize the other components like steering, hairpins and so on. Also what year do you think it was put together I was told 60s about I feel like it was later. I think I read Airheart brakes came out in 1963. But we’re they using allen headed bolts and tie rod ends like that in the early 60s? It also is setup for a 409 which seems like a lot for not being boxed rails. If it is actually a period correct 60s style drag car that is the direction I’ll go with it. But if is 70s and later I might change it up. Any info and input is appreciated thanks. FYI Front wheels are just rollers looking for a set to match the rear.
I would have said late-90s to 2000s based on the rear set-up, how the brackets are fabbed, etc. There's so little there that you can go in any direction you want. I say ABSOLUTELY go in the direction you want, regardless.
Late ‘60’s- early ‘70’s, but I’d guess the steering damper and triangulated four link came later. My first ‘32 was a channeled Cabriolet, I bought it as a roller but it had been raced with a 409/425 and a T-10 4 spd in unboxed rails. Unboxed rails were pretty common back then.
That rear end setup looks like a kit. At least the triangulated 4 link. The coil springs behind the axle scream mid 70's though. If memory serves right the Airharts were a hot lick item in the 70's and maybe early 80s before hot rod shops came out with setups using more common calipers.
The rear coil springs date it to before coilovers became popular. Airheart discs with '32 spindles look like an early setup too. The triangulated 4 bar was a GM idea in the mid sixties and this one is done with heim ends and not rubber bushings or urethane so I would say built in the late 60's.
A lot of mid 60's g***er's did the coil's, Wasn't that a Chuck Finder's thing.. PS: That coupe is Killer btw
To me the front looks mid 60’s to very early 70’s. But the rear it looks like late 80’s mid 90’s looking at the brackets. That is just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear. Etc.
The rear axel is not a 9.3 from a 1957 - 1964 Olds / Pontiac. It might be from a 1956 or older Olds / Pontiac. The 56 and older axel looks very similar to the 57 - 64 axel. However, the 56 and older is smaller. The tip off from your photo is the smaller pinion flange and the adjuster bolt that is protruding from the drop out center section.
One problem with dating things is that many builders are can be as much as 10 years behind the curve and far as when certain things were fresh or hot. There were guys with their heads just getting up to speed with state-of-the-art 1969 in 1979. There are still guys building their version of Boyd circa 1985. Then there is the problem of drawn out build times and chasing hot at the time parts and methods as they evolve.
Good info on the brakes here History - When did airheart brakes come about? | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com) placing them from the mid 60's though the early 70's. Any markes or casting numbers or names on them might narrow that down. Front end looks to be 60's period correct with mostly stock pieces including a the dropped axle that somehow looks more A than 32 and a set of bolt on shock brackets that have been around since guys started bolting on tube shocks. Best thing I can say is that outside of the hacked firewall that car is pretty well scab free. Meaning who ever was putting it together had done their homework.
I'm going to guess that steering box is from a 50 Chevy pickup. I also think the ch***is was built in the later 60's or early 70's. Some stuff is nice and clean, but some stuff I would never do. The most glaring thing needing changed is the front mounts of the rear fourbar. Bolting or welding them to the edge flange of the frame like that is begging to tear the frame. That's the most unsupported place on the C cross section of the frame. My brother bought a 32 built in the same era, with similar construction of the hairpin mounts on the front. They were cracked almost completely off, with only an inch or so still holding them on. Just enough to let him get the car on a trailer.
I'd say mid-ish '60's era drag car .... perfect for me. I'd embrace it and make it a race inspired Hot Rod myself. I Love it ! Share lots of BIG pictures with us !
MRoller, For whats is worth the SWC built in the mid sixties had many allen head bolts holding suspension parts. It also had Hurst Airheart brake calibers, multiple holes in steering arm and vertical shock brackets like yours. This ch***is could be mid to late 60's with some upgrades as the cl***es changed and better parts became available in the 70's. BTW - cool ride
It's not an AD box not even a modified one but I'm thinking that it is a very close relative. Meaning the same basic box but a way different way of mounting it.
I bought new Airheart disc brakes in the mid 70’s to put on my then 32–5 window. Never did get the brakes to work well—-probably didn’t have the proper size master cylinder to function properly.
I would guess mid to late sixties as well. The rear end looks like a ‘37-54 Olds and with vertical coil springs it’s typical for that time period. Not sure about the triangulated upper bars though, that’s innovative for the time. A lot of frames were only boxed at strategic places and some race cars weren’t boxed at all.
Hey guys thanks for all the great info. I’ll probably leave the front but redo a few things in the rear or at least put a tab on both sides of the rod ends. I have a stock 392 hemi I want to put in it. So I’ll probably just take it easy on it since it’s not boxed.
As long as you are redoing some things you might as well box the frame in a few strategic locations. Back then I boxed my ‘32 frame from the front crossmember to the steering box, about 8” at the transmission crossmember, where the front of my traction bars (parallel 4link) attached to the frame and some small plates at the rear crossmember. Just three crossmembers and no X. With a BBC and a four speed I never had any problems and it was my daily driver for most of its life.
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