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Tri5 1955-57

Project ’55 Bel Air: July 2014 Update

(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

When it comes to making a decision on what rear end to use in your Tri-5, there really is no substitute for the Ford 9” from the 9 Inch Factory. Yes, there are a lot of them out there, but the 9 Inch Factory is by far the best quality and fit on the market– plus it’s made in the USA.(Part # 21-238-PC) Ordered with a 3.73 gear, 31 spline, in black powder coating. We are staging the location for this monster to be mounted to the chassis.

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Soda Blasting Fiberglass Tip

If you have modified your classic Chevy and are using fiberglass, you'll be interested to know that soda blasting works very well on this material- cutting paint and top coats without damage to the fiberglass. It’s ideal for small parts and spotting in small repairs.

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1955 Chevy: The Chameleon

1955 Chevy: The Chameleon. One day while I was driving my ’57 Chevy, a fellow classic Chevy enthusiast driving a ’55 asked me if I would be interested in trading cars. He sweetened the deal with a Wonderbar radio and some cash, and the deal was made.

Since then, the car has gone through a number of phases. Back in 1993 at the Winter Nationals in Orlando, the car, then with candy apple red paint, gray tweed interior, and a smooth firewall, won first place and best engine in the driven modified class.

Two weeks later the car was completely dismantled. I had a lot of ideas and changes I wanted to make. So I started at Holtz Welding with the chassis and suspension. Bill at Holtz fabricated a full cage, custom headers, rear tubs, a full racing suspension, a nine inch rear with a 4:10 Posi gear, and motor plates for a supercharged small block.

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Ashtray Re-finishing Tip

In the instance when purchasing a new ashtray for your classic is just not feasible (not available, price too high, etc.), why not restore your current one? Sure, it may look really ugly, but that can be fixed pretty easily.

Let’s face it, filthy ashtrays not only look bad, they smell bad too. First, clean them thoroughly with soap and water. A toothbrush or small wire brush may be needed to get rid of encrusted buildup. After the parts are completely dry (use a hairdryer if necessary to get into the tighter cavities), it’s time for paint. Spray metal ashtrays with silver (or metal colored) paint to make them look new (Krylon Stainless Steel works great). Spray plastic ashtrays with crystal clear lacquer to make them look unused.

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Monte Carlo Masterpiece

OK, we realize this story is about a Monte Carlo. Nonetheless, we thought you'd enjoy this story, because not only is it a Chevrolet, it's one heck of a ride.

Arrival of warm weather means one thing: getting ready for cruise nights and show season. Over at Chevrolet Performance, it’s no different. Program manager Gary Mulder and his team are in the middle of dropping an LS376/525 Connect & Cruise system into an ’88 Monte Carlo SS for the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour in June. So, just like you, they’ve been hard at work under the hood of their project car.

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Lonestar XXXI Classic Chevy Convention


The Lonestar XXXI Classic Chevy Convention was held in San Angelo, TX on June 25, 2013. We expected about 70 cars, but unfortunately the weather was threatening and some folks stayed home – giving us 49 registered vehicles.

Even though this was a smaller show, we were pleased to see cars come from Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Angelo, San Antonio, and Waco in Texas and from as far away as San Diego, CA, and even Western Australia. Thanks to all who attended!

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Washington Man Pulls American Muscle from an Orchard

For most auto enthusiasts, pulling the tarp off an old unseen car is a rare delicacy, but for Dan Stafford, it’s a way of life. Stafford runs Dan’s Garage in Kennewick, Washington, which specializes in GM performance cars from the ‘40s all the way up to the ‘80s. He got a call recently from a family in Las Vegas looking to offload some of their father’s old rides. The father, from Wapato, Washington, passed away several months earlier and left behind a pair of ’68 and ’69 Camaros, a ’56 Bel Air sedan, ’61 Ford Econoline Pickup, and a burly ’77 Dodge Ramcharger with a 440ci engine.

But instead of finding the old wheels cooped up in a barn or left high and dry on blocks in the yard; these were carefully cared for and stored underneath tarps behind the family’s orchard. Stafford said it’s the kind of phone call that you dream about if you’re in the business. After the family located the original paperwork, he made the deal and the cars have found a new home in Kennewick.

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Show Judging: Restored and Modified

Restored or original areas of the vehicle

Cars are classified based on the number of modifications in given sections of the car. These modified sections are marked on the dash card. Any sections that are unmarked are to be technically correct and subject to point loss for wrong parts, fit, finish, and cleanliness. There are a variety of printed materials available to document the proper parts and installation and the Chevy Classics Club offers technical support for club members. The technically correct portion is based on restoration standards, and there are differences based on assembly plants. We do realize there were some assembly anomalies, but be prepared to support these to avoid point loss. Our best suggestion is to restore the car to accepted standards.

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