55 Chevy progress pics

[jim_ss409]

We bonded the fiberglass fenders to the steel hood and built a hood scoop out of fiberglass. We also had to extend the back of the hood because we cut into the firewall to set the engine back and eliminated the bump that runs down the center of the hood for a cleaner look. The front axle is mounted and a new Dana 60 with a 4 link is on order and should be here in two or three weeks. After talking with the race transmission guy we decided to go with a race ready TH350 and a 4,200 rpm stall converter. So it should be ready in time for the get together at Clay City.:beerbang

[Ronnie Russell]

Jim, First class job. Gonna make a great looking "gasser".

[CDNpontiac409guy]

A REAL hot rod :deal !

[bobs409]

I'm starting to think Jim has some little elves or someone helping him on that 55! You sure do make good progress Jim. A good example to the rest of us. :clap

[droptop62]

I'm starting to think Jim has some little elves or someone helping him on that 55! You sure do make good progress Jim. A good example to the rest of us. :clap

I don't know Bob, You made quick work of that 66 impala of yours too.:clap

Jim, as usual your work looks exceptional. Can't wait to see the finished product.
:clap

[SS425HP]

"built a hood scoop out of fiberglass"

Jim, how tall is the scoop you built? I've been thinking about doing the same thing. Can't be more than 5" tall, though. That is the Max allowed in N/SS. Would yours fit that bill? Maybe I could just buy one from you, if you could make another. I might need the clearance with the intake I have built up.

Thanks

Fred

[w ogden]

Jim, as always your work and time schedule is amazing, great job. Looks like a great hot rod. :)

[fatride]

"built a hood scoop out of fiberglass"

I might need the clearance with the intake I have built up.

Thanks

Fred
Huh? :cuss

[jim_ss409]

Fred, After I built that scoop I found one that was very similar but it's not quite as tall. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4608266901 That same company also sells a scoop that I bet would look great on an Impala. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Universal-Bolt-On-Fiberglass-Hood-Scoop-SC23_W0QQitemZ4607609802QQcategoryZ42611QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem It might not be high enough though. I've got one of those Super Duty Ford truck hood scoops like they used on the lightweight "swiss cheese" Pontiac's that might work. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4584653238&ssPageName=STRK:MERFB:IID I think Allen has a fiberglass replica of one on the Bluescreamer. There's a picture of one on the Pontiac in the top middle picture. http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.1963pontiac.com/images/literature/book1_36_small.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.1963pontiac.com/book.htm&h=126&w=100&sz=7&tbnid=tEuiYwFXRZxR4M:&tbnh=85&tbnw=67&hl=en&start=5&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSwiss%2BCheese%2BPontiac%26svnum%3D10 %26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff The only problem is it might not be long enough to cover two carbs.:dunno I didn't use it because it had to sit way back near the windshield because of the engine set back. It looked too small sitting back there.

[SS425HP]

You know, years ago, at the concrete block plant my Dad owned, we used the Ford Super Duty gas trucks. There was one still on the old hill behind the plant up to a year ago. It was an F850 and had the hood scoop. I went back to see if I could get it, and they had just hauled the old truck out to a salvage yard. I was that close to getting a real Super Duty Scoop.
Love those Pontiac pictures. Dean LaPole was a good friend of Jess Tyree. I met Jess through Dean, and you couldn't meet a finer fellow. I pitted with him and his family at the Hot Rod Reunion last year. Still has the 63 Tempest. And is it fast. Thinking 8.60 or a little better. He will be at Indy for the Good Guys and at Bowling Green for the Reunion this year. Has a memory you can't believe. And stories! He and his sons are in the process of putting another 63 Tempest together.
Got to think on this scoop thing a bit. I'm thinking I might need the whole 5" height. Will know in a few weeks. Working on other things at the moment.

Fred

[bjburnout]

Hey Jim

Nice job..........:clap ........love those 55's.......:bow

Can't wait to see it on the road and the sound from the '09.....:cool: :cool:

bj:cheers

[SIXTY2BUBBLE]

wow!!!
what an awesome car!!!:beerbang
reminds me of two lane blacktop.
wish i had that much fabricating ability:cuss

[jim_ss409]

I've always liked the way they drilled holes in the gassers to reduce weight. So when we made the seat mounts and the gussets for the roll bar, we drilled some holes.:deal
Fred, The scoop on the 55 is about 3 3/4" high and the Ford truck one is about 2 1/2" Just let me know if it looks like either style will work for you once you get it figured out.

[fatride]

That passenger seat looks like it will fit my old can ! I'm hoping for a little ride,,,,,,,,,,,no more the 1320' :D

[jim_ss409]

Fatride, Sure you can come for a ride,:beerbang and I've GOT to take Tom for a spin. I was suposed to give Tom a ride last year but the car acted up before I got a chance.:cry He did hitch a ride or two with Bob though.:cheers I noticed the NHRA rule book says passengers aren't allowed in cars running faster than 13.99 so we'll just take it easy,,, Yeah Right!:D

[jim_ss409]

We've finally got the body work pretty well done. We used black primer on it to see how it would look. I like the black but we'd go with real paint and flattener to get an egg shell finish.

[skipxt4]

Nice job on a nice car, Jim. Can't wait to see it in paint. skip:clap

[DIV1RACER-2]

I know it's been a long winter up north , but the pogress you guy's are making is fantastic. :clap Looks like Ky. should be no problem . See ya there !!!:brow

[gearhead409]

MAN that double nickel looks good! clay city will never be the same when this one shows up!

[Ronnie Russell]

Great looking car Jim, Should be used to it by now, but its amazing the progress you get done. :cheers :cheers

[Quickshift409]

Jim that beast is old school, put me back in the 60's. I love that look. Hope we see it run at Clay City.
QS409

[jim_ss409]

The plan is to have it ready in time for the Clay City get together. Every thing is on schedule so far.:deal

[Tom Kochtanek]

On schedule, you say? My how I wish I could say those words :).

Excellent progress, quality work!

Here's a lesser replica of your efforts, in a smaller scale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-Chevrolet-dual-quad-409-see-thru-garage-1-18scale_W0QQitemZ4613308911QQcategoryZ34198QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

Enjoy!
TomK