Ultimate Barn Find

[csp]

Awesome! Just when I thought all the restore-able cars have been taken, this thread is posted.

I wouldn't restore it. That's a survivor, not one that's due for restoration.

 

[Bronson]

You ****! Congrats!

 

[38Chevy454]

Nice car that will be pretty easy to get back on the road. Have fun with it, the car needs to be out cruising around for maximum enjoyment.

 

[dave89iroc]

Re: update

I think my plan as it stands today is to finish the wiring, purchase a replica stock interior and get the car mechanically sound and drive it. I am sure after it is back on the road any upgrades or modifications will make themselves evident.

thats exactly what I would do, make a nice clean driver

 

[countryroad82]

Very nice car! You see what happens when you start tearing one down, so yeah fix it and enjoy it. I wish I hadn't ever tore my cars down as far as I did, life got in the way and now they sit.

 

[GDPossehl]

You are incredibly lucky. The only thing I could see being handed down to me is a 91 Lebaron.

 

[Kevin54]

Robert....will you be my best new friend? I'll gladly take one of those rides off of your hands so you don't have the headaches.

Yep....YOU ****!!!!

 

[toplessHO]

sorry for your loss(Uncle) Im sure he will be proud that youre going to take care of it

 

[GirchyGirchy]

You are incredibly lucky. The only thing I could see being handed down to me is a 91 Lebaron.

Wow, that's sad! I'll at least get a very nice '95 Ford F150.

 

[JDGolden]

Nice ride!

Here ya go, this will help get the paint looking new.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...w-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html

 

[Robert Haas]

Clock is running.

 

[casmurbax]

What did you do to it since you brought it home? Sure looks nice

 

[ludakris04]

man, I wish anyone in my family, in-law family, or remotely related to me was into anything remotely cool... that guy had some nice stuff

 

[Robert Haas]

What did you do to it since you brought it home? Sure looks nice

Actually there was some family stuff that kind of put the whole thing on hold until last weekend.

I am now working on getting my finances squared away to slide a Art Morrison chassis and an LS3 under this pristine sheet metal.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Actually there was some family stuff that kind of put the whole thing on hold until last weekend.

I am now working on getting my finances squared away to slide a Art Morrison chassis and an LS3 under this pristine sheet metal.

Normally I'd be all for that, but to do that to an unrestored numbers matching car would be considered sacrilege by most collectors and history guys. Let the old girl be and find a less valuable donor for the hot rod.


Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic catch, I'm very happy for you and it is your car to do what you want with, after all.

Tommy

 

[Robert Haas]

Normally I'd be all for that, but to do that to an unrestored numbers matching car would be considered sacrilege by most collectors and history guys. Let the old girl be and find a less valuable donor for the hot rod.


Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic catch, I'm very happy for you and it is your car to do what you want with, after all.

Tommy

Tommy, it is not a number matching car. Jerry the original owner pulled the inline 6 out as well as the factory power glide and dropped a 265 in it as well as a 3 speed Muncie shifted on the column back in 1962. That motor is gone and a Target Master crate motor is under the hood. He bought that and dropped it in but never finished getting the car running before he passed. here is the way it looks today.




I want to drive it, and have fun doing so. Driving a 65 year old antique just ain't that inspiring to myself. Driving 65 year old sheet metal that will outrun and out ride 98% of everything on the road....Now that is inspiring.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I missed this the first time around.

Do the swap and drive it like you stole it.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Tommy, it is not a number matching car. Jerry the original owner pulled the inline 6 out as well as the factory power glide and dropped a 265 in it as well as a 3 speed Muncie shifted on the column back in 1962. That motor is gone and a Target Master crate motor is under the hood. He bought that and dropped it in but never finished getting the car running before he passed. here is the way it looks today.




I want to drive it, and have fun doing so. Driving a 65 year old antique just ain't that inspiring to myself. Driving 65 year old sheet metal that will outrun and out ride 98% of everything on the road....Now that is inspiring.

I missed this the first time around.

Do the swap and drive it like you stole it.

I missed that info, too. Go for the gusto, LS9!! My friend has a LS3 with a little work & 6 speed form a Vette in his '82 Malibu wagon. It's really cool, makes something like 420 at the rear wheels, but to be honest, it's kind of "tame" for me. I guess I'm used to my old school BBC.

I'd keep the color scheme and hub caps on widened wheels and modern rubber.

Tommy

 

[Kevkx125]

What are your true goals for the car? Do you want modern or old school hot rod?

 

[Kevkx125]

Just reread the post upgrade and enjoy!!!

 

[crguy]

I actually read all the posts, and think you're doing just fine with the car.

If it had been a rare model, complete, and in good condition then it would have been important to keep it stock.

Look at the '29 in my avatar. It's an all steel body Model A Ford, but is a hell of a lot more fun in its' present condition than a bone stock one would be.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

That's a beautiful car whatever you do!

 

[jb3]

For super sleeper you should figure out how to keep the stock steel wheels and hubcaps on the new chassis. It looks 100% original with those. Were it me id love the original look with the hidden modern performance.

 

[TMcCay]

This is going to be an awesome car once you're done! Looking forward to seeing the completed pics!

 

[KEH]

That pink, or whatever they called that color and black 2 tone was very popular in 1955 when the car was new. I don't remember if other cars used that color combination or not. I don't think it was used much if any on the 56. The 56s had an nice 2 tone green and black.

KEH

 

[scubadoober]

I dig the color. Best of luck!

 

[TriumphFan]

That is really cool. I love these stories. I wish I had a cool Uncle.
When my neighbor passed away his SIL took all his antique guns "for cleaning" and his wife never saw them again. POS...

 

[Robert Haas]

Yea if you had told me 5 decades ago I would be driving a pink 55 in the future,.. I would probably have punched your lights out.

Today, I just say "It is Coral, not pink" and stand there grinning like the idiot I am...

 

[colt zantop]

Awesome build. Can't wait to see the LS swap.

 

[Robert Haas]

Time to revisit this project.

As in most projects plans get changed. This one did too.

I have been selling off toys and saving money like a fiend to get my build account up to the level that I can start this build without having to wait for funds. I feel I have done that (At least enough to tear the thing apart.

here what is changed;

No longer going to replace the chassis, will upgrade suspension brakes and power train.

No longer building a LS motor. (Bought a low mileage Mark V 454 and will be building that )

The rest of the plan is intact and actually underway. Ordered an entire new interior complete, carpet to headliner from Ciadella. Bought the full wiring harness from American Autowire. Ordered a Tremec 6 speed from American Powertrain.

I also began the build on the engine more on that later.

Any way here is where I am at today. Pulled the car out and got the engine and transmission out of it, removed the exhaust system and disassembled the front interior sheet metal. I will get it cleaned up, painted and ready for assembly in the next couple of week,

 

[sqznby]

What a beaut.

That drivetrain will be perfect. Any plans for boost in the future? Or are you building a stout BB?

 

[Robert Haas]

What a beaut.

That drivetrain will be perfect. Any plans for boost in the future? Or are you building a stout BB?

Stout? Yea you can say that here is what I have already bought;

**** reciprocating assembly consisting of a forged steel crank, Scats own trick Standard length rods and Forged pistons (10.8 to 1)

Brodix Heads and intake manifold with CNC port matching 119 CC chambers.

Comp Cams full roller set up complete with chrome molley forged roller rockers 1.7 to 1 , 592. lift with 286/284 duration

MSD full programmable ignition system with their billet distributor

Holley 850 Double pumper (This is temporary as this motor will be injected as the very first upgrade down the road)

I have Earl Williams building me a set of 2" primary headers that will feed into a 3" exhaust with Flowmaster super 50's and an x pipe.

On paper I am hoping to hit 650 at the tires. (The machine shop that is helping me with this think I am underestimating what this program will yield.)

 

[ssffnomad]

Been following since post # 1.
Taking body off frame ? So you can remove all factory undercoating, and paint red oxide ?
You have dollar smart plans for your project.
Dave

 

[Robert Haas]

Pulled the trigger today on the T56 Magnum complete with multi disc clutch.

Will tear the front end down in the next few days and get ready for the new parts and Wilwood brakes.

I am having a dang good time.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Stout? Yea you can say that here is what I have already bought;

**** reciprocating assembly consisting of a forged steel crank, Scats own trick Standard length rods and Forged pistons (10.8 to 1)

Brodix Heads and intake manifold with CNC port matching 119 CC chambers.

Comp Cams full roller set up complete with chrome molley forged roller rockers 1.7 to 1 , 592. lift with 286/284 duration

MSD full programmable ignition system with their billet distributor

Holley 850 Double pumper (This is temporary as this motor will be injected as the very first upgrade down the road)

I have Earl Williams building me a set of 2" primary headers that will feed into a 3" exhaust with Flowmaster super 50's and an x pipe.

On paper I am hoping to hit 650 at the tires. (The machine shop that is helping me with this think I am underestimating what this program will yield.)

Sounds really good. Is the duration advertised or at .050"?

My cam is .646" I .653" E, 280°/288° advertised, 242°/248°, 110° lobe separation. My engine builder told me it would "Do 550 plus like falling off a log before you even tune it". He felt 570 gross wouldn't be out of the question. My LS6 454 made 452 out of the box from GM. I was only looking to make an even 500. Funny how project creep works. Looking for 50 HP snowballed into a full solid roller, ported intake/heads and oversized valves...

Tommy

 

[Robert Haas]

So I built a dolly that indexes into the sub frame and will let me set the chassis at finished ride height.



Preparing the firewall for clearance for the big block and stripping off the suspension for the rebuild

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

Awesome project!

 

[Robert Haas]

Prepping the front to install the new suspension and drive train. Will be modifying the firewall to make room for the Big Block and the new Vintage Air.

 

[Homebody]

Sweet story and car! Along for the ride!

 

[BFBOB]

Pretty nice Chevy. Too bad it's a year too old.

(ducking and weaving!!)