Chevy

My infatuation with El Caminos and the concept of a car-truck hybrid design started at a very young age of probably 7-8 years old. I can remember my next door neighbor in the early ’60s, who worked for the phone company, had a “work truck” 1957 Ranchero that I always loved. And then in my Hot Wheels collection as a kid, my favorite car was the burnt orange “Custom Fleetside” that appeared to be an El Camino, but was actually designed after a ’67-’68 Chevy truck front clip with an El Camino style roof line and bed.

My 1970 El Camino started life in Thomaston, GA. The first owner had the local swimming pool business, and he kept the car up to the mid-to-late ’80s when the family traded it off. About six different people have owned this Chevy over time. One was a tool salesman who got the car for his business and had it painted red with white stripes on the hood. I even sold him the hood off my first El Camino and now I have it again! He also rebuilt the motor and transmission. He used her for a while, got out of the tool business and sold it to a fellow that I bought it from on the last day of 1999.

My wife Debbie and I first got hooked on classic cars about ten years ago. We had a Chevelle at that time, but I had always wanted to own a ‘55 Chevy. After a considerable discussion with my wife Debbie, we sold the Chevelle and went looking for a ‘55.

By the time we attended the 2006 Winter National event in Orlando, Florida we had only been looking for a ’55 to buy for a few weekends. While viewing all the great Tri-Fives at the show, we noticed a ‘55 Be1 Air 2-door Sedan along a fence with a For Sale sign in the window. I asked my mechanic friend, Larry Hays, who was with us, to check out the car. After crawling under, on, in and all around the car, we decided to purchase it and start a frame-off restoration. We learned that the previous owner was from our home state, Virginia. Debbie later found out the car came from her hometown, Staunton, Virginia.

(continued from Project Car: ’55 Bel Air, 2 Door Hardtop)

Project ’55 Bel Air: April 2014 Update
Project ’55 Bel Air: May 2014 Update
Project ’55 Bel Air: June 2014 Update

Project ’55 Bel Air: July 2014 Update

Project ’55 Bel Air: August 2014 Update
Project ’55 Bel Air: September 2014 
Project '55 Bel Air: October 2014 Update
Project '55 Bel Air: February 2015 Update

Now we are installing the small-block side engine mounts. Part # 18-02. (We powder coated them red for appearance.)

Time: 1 hour (approximately)

Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches

Cost: approximately $175-200

Tinware: front sway bar, new sway bar bushings, new sway bar end links (recommended), lubrication grease

Tip: Before removing anything from the car, take note of the sequence of the bushings in relation to the lower control arm and the sway bar. This will eliminate any confusion during reassembly.

Performance gains: a tighter, better-handling front end and longer lasting components

In the fall of 1999, my husband Dan was looking for a 1956 Chevy to restore. The type of car he wanted to have was one that looked stock from the outside, but when the hood was opened or when you heard it running you knew it wasn’t stock. This car would definitely be a driver, but be of show quality. In short, he wanted to build a 1956 sleeper.

After months of looking on eBay and reading various magazines, he found the car he was looking for. The car was located in Sacramento, which is only 60 miles from our home. He arranged to see the car and Dan knew immediately that this was the right car for our project. The car wasn’t running, but it had straight sheet metal and no rust. In doing some research, we found that the car was originally built in Oakland, California in January, 1956 as a Bel Air two-door with a Crocus Yellow exterior and two-tone ivory and black vinyl interior.

Time: Approx. 2 hours

Tools: standard wrenches, small flat-blade screwdriver, razor blade

Cost: approximately $75

Tinware: transmission cooler and installation hardware (included in most kits)

Tip: Allow the transmission to completely cool before attempting to drain the fluid or disconnect any lines under pressure.

Performance gains: a cooler, more efficient transmission capable of handling increased loads and horsepower

Today John shows off control arms for your 1955-1957 Classic Chevy. A great way to keep your steering in tact! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqJ5UwH8zU8
The Ecklers Classic Series shows while a older, very informative videos which we’ve made in the past! Today we show the Radio Noise Suppression Kit by Custom Auto Sound!
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Today Tom shows off a wheel for your 1955-1957 Chevy that allows both large and dog dish style of hubcaps!