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I have owned “DALE” since 1974. I was at the Chevy Classics Club’s first convention, and so was this ’57, but at that time it was “just” a Two-Ten– showing in the modified category.
I started following NASCAR during the late ’70s, and it wasn’t too long after that I figured Dale Earnhardt was “my guy”. I wanted to do a tribute car to him, but never got around to it. After Dale passed away in that wreck back in 2001, it gave me that much more push, so to speak.
My fascination with '56 Chevys began in 1962 when I met Phil, my husband-to-be and his car. He drove a Harbor Blue 1956 Chevy 2-door One-Fifty sedan that he purchased from his brother for the grand sum of $200.00. The car was powered by a 265ci motor that was bored .060” over and was mated to a three-speed transmission in order to compete with the local hotrods of our era. It was then that I fell in love with Phil and his Chevy.
Our '55 Chevy Bel Air began its life in Baltimore, MD, and somehow found its way out to California. It is believed that in 1972 the original owner of our car was stopped by the California Highway Patrol and arrested for drunk driving. The car was impounded and sent to the Mojave Desert Auto Wrecking Yard. There, it would be abandoned and parts taken from it for the next five years.
Time: varies depending on number of seats and style, plan on at least 2 hours
Tools: standard wrenches, hog-ring pliers, flat-blade screwdriver, needle-nose pliers (optional)
Cost: anywhere from $500 and up, approximately
Tinware: upholstery, hog-rings and pliers, seat foam padding (optional)
Tip: Before installing new vinyl seat covers, lay them out in the sun to loosen the material and to relieve any folds or creases in the vinyl from due to packaging.
Performance gains: none that are track-proven, but the added comfort and style far make up for it!
My wife Jane, my family and many of my friends were sure I had lost my mind when I bought my ’57 Chevrolet restoration project car. Every one admires these beautiful old cars, but who in their right mind would spend years, three in my case, restoring one just to drive? The answer to that question is, “Many people would.”
Well, the 2nd annual Atlanta Motorama has come and gone. There were plenty of awesome cars for all to see, unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. On and off again rain showers most of the day Saturday (April 18th), and a full-on downpour on Sunday really put a damper on things.
We managed to snap a few pics however. Here's a sampling of some of the wonderful Tri-5 Chevys we saw– in between the drops. Fortunately, a few of these beauties were indoors, out of the inclement weather.
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.
