1958 Chevy Bel Air

[39 chev]

Relatively new to the forum, but I have been doing lots of reading. I come from the street rodder world, but I am in the process of buying a 1958 Chevy Bel Air coupe and my goal is to turn it into a really nice driver while not spending tons of money. No track days etc., but just a nice handling car that I can take my two grandsons for rides on Sunday afternoon. I am thinking of running some sort of pull-out LS, but haven't decided on manual or automatic at this point.

Question regarding suspension; Obviously, the car needs to be a lot lower, but no engine or trans in the car right now, so it sits really HIGH!:rolleyes: I am leaning towards the Street Grip suspension from RideTech (I don't want the budget to get away from me). This car has a really weird rear end mounting brackets. Has anyone worked with this set-up? I know the 1958 is a little different even than the 59. Maybe I should be considering something like the Global West upper A-arm setup? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I will want to upgrade the front brakes to disc, but will probably just run drums on the back. Any advice on brakes?


193778193777

[39 chev]

Well, not much love for newbies I guess. I understand...happens all the time. Newbie comes on a forum and asks questions that have been asked in the past and the longer term members don't feel like answering stupid questions again. I'm pretty active on some motorcycle and snowmobile forums and I try to help newbies out when I can, but I understand...

I'll do some shopping and calling to vendors and see what I come up with. It's a shame I have to scrap the frame that is under the car right now (it was hit pretty hard in the right front) because it is the Canadian one piece frame and the replacement I have is the US 2-piece weaker welded one. Got a good look at the rear suspension too...it's WEIRD!

[68Formula]

Just not a lot of folks building these. Personally I love this body style.

Do you have any more info. on the difference between the canadian and us frames? First I've heard of it.

[39 chev]

From a post over on the Jalopy Journal:

And finally... although all the frames are basically the same dimensions etc, there are two different types... the regular US frame and the Canadian frame. Canadians bring good $$ because they are seamless, with no welds joining the frames together and therefore they are stronger. A lot of the lowrider guys like these particular frame.

I'm certainly no expert, but I looked under the car in the pictures and the frame is not welded together, from what I can see, it's one piece.

I love Camaros, Novas, Chargers, etc., but I always like doing something different. When I did my street rod, everyone was doing 32-34 Fords so I did a 39 Chev.193873

[68Formula]

Too bad a custom frame/suspension setup like Schwartz chassis is not in the budget. Then you totally get away from the x-frame and get a better suspension setup.

Convertibles GMs were supposedly reinforced. If you could find an Olds version of the x-frame, it has a perimeter type setup (better torsional rigidity and safer).

193879.

At a minimum try reinforcing whatever frame you get. Here's some ideas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShTpzNSjKTQ

[Chirus]

Hey '58 brother,

Sorry i did not catch your first post. please take a look at my build on here. i have reinforced my frame in prep for a new power plant. if you have any questions i would be happy to try and help answer them.

I moved to New Orleans this last weekend so if i don't get back to you right away don't lose faith.

[39 chev]

Thanks for the shout-out Chirus! Yes, I have seen your thread. Looks like you are building a fun (and FAST) car!

I reinforced the frame around the X-member and the rear control arm mounts, but not the rear frame bend. I won't be making as much horsepower as you.

My plan right now is to use the Global West upper tubular 3-link (that thing looks really slick) on a 9" Ford rear end. I might go to coilovers in the rear just to free up some space for exhaust, it looks really tight to be able to bend the exhaust over the rear end and I really don't want to put it in rear wheel-well like stock does. I see you did coilovers, but mini-tubbed it, which I would think eliminate any extra room in the wheel well? I also plan to go with their power steering conversion and bump steer correction kit. The car came with some cheap Speedway tubular A-arms, but the welds look really good so I might use them along with either coilovers or lowering springs and good shocks. I want to also use drop spindles, but Global West's steering kit only works with select drop spindles and I'm having trouble getting a hold of anyone at Global West to talk to them about ordering. I have left a message and emailed, but so far, no answer from them.

What engine mounts did you use and did you have to notch the front crossmember? Did you leave the AC compressor down low, or buy a relocation kit that moved it up? I'm planning on going with a LS engine, probably just a 6.0 truck engine and change out the cam and springs. I'm watching a couple on Ebay.

Thanks!

[65 drop top]

I’m not really familiar with the 58 Bel Airs. Please don’t laugh, is a 58 Bel Air an Impala?

Before you start buying parts, price it all out on paper. Every single nut and bolt. And any possible labor that might need to be paid out. Then look at an aftermarket chassis. You might be a lot closer to the cost of a new chassis than you’d originally thought.

[39 chev]

Quote:
65 drop top
I’m not really familiar with the 58 Bel Airs. Please don’t laugh, is a 58 Bel Air an Impala?

Before you start buying parts, price it all out on paper. Every single nut and bolt. And any possible labor that might need to be paid out. Then look at an aftermarket chassis. You might be a lot closer to the cost of a new chassis than you’d originally thought.


1958 is the first year of Impala. I have an original brochure from 1958 and Chevrolet actually called the Impala a "Bel Air Impala". I never knew that before. Impala is top of the line in 1958. It has the 3 taillights and a little more chrome, plus some other stuff. I think the Bel Air 2 door hardtop is a pretty rare car...most of the hardtops were Impalas I think???

I've checked out aftermarket chassis. I'm not going all out with this car, just a nice driving car. I think I can modify my orginal chassis and add some modern suspension way cheaper than a complete chassis, but I guess we'll see... ;)

[65 drop top]

Quote:1958 is the first year of Impala. I have an original brochure from 1958 and Chevrolet actually called the Impala a "Bel Air Impala". I never knew that before. Impala is top of the line in 1958. It has the 3 taillights and a little more chrome, plus some other stuff. I think the Bel Air 2 door hardtop is a pretty rare car...most of the hardtops were Impalas I think??

Thanks for the info. I was curious about the production numbers so I tried to look it up. It looks like Chevrolet didn’t provide a breakdown of the model series, only by body style. So maybe we’ll never know the exact numbers, but I’d agree with you that its a pretty rare car. Good luck with your project!

[68Formula]

Updates?

[pitts64]

The 1958 Chevrolet was the first car to use the modern "front steer" steering linkage that we use today. It also came with decent size spindle.. Frankly it really doesn't need much. Pick up some delrin control arm bushings and a Lee 14:1 steering box set for 30 pounds. The stock sway bar is even decent..

[39 chev]

Hey guys, thanks for the interest.

My plans have changed. I got the frame reinforced and crossmember clearanced for LS engine, bought some Global West stuff for it (rear lower control arms and tubular upper diff mount plus bump steer correction kit and power steering box). But nothing since. I think I am going to go a different direction (Nova or Chevelle), so I'll be trying to sell the 58 soon.

If you know anyone looking for one, it's a solid start to nice build. ;)

[asahi1234]

Checkout Globalwest. I have a 62 Impala that made car get rid of the bump steer and track down the road great.