First day here - is my '55 welcome?

[roadracer55]

Hey Guys! This is my first day here, so haven't done much more than read some of the pro-touring threads which all seem to focus on what diameter of people's wheels is acceptable.

But I thought I'd run my car past you to see what you all thought - it doesnt quite fit in any category as you'll see.

It started out when I built a GT40 replica (GTD40) in England back in the early/mid-90's. I had as lot of fun driving the ass off it - 60k miles in two years and alot of miles on race circuits.



To be honest I thought the car was quite crude, so I decided to build a hot rod that would be faster around the track than the '40. That meant stiffer chassis made from round-tube, AP racing brakes (F1 front, F3000 rear), 10pt cage, multi-link IRS, IFS and lots more power from a 8000rpm, dry-sumped 383 sbc. I even sprung for some air-jacks (I was young and between wives at the time )

Anyway, the short story; I had a minor crash at the track, it went into storage, I got married, emigrated to the US, changed jobs and had 3 kids. That took 10 years!

Last November I get it out of storage and start work on it again. This time I wanted a 55 chevy body (same wheelbase as the chassis and have you SEEN two lane blacktop? ) so I bought a 'glass body without floor and started modifiying to suit. New rollcage, steering (was RHD in England, now obviously I want LHD in Atlanta) and new oil tank, radator, catch tanks etc (ruined in the crash).

Now my wheels will be a problem with some on here I'm sure. I needed to choose new wheels cos the 55 was wider than my old body. And I just couldnt get the 18's that I was using to look right under the (very) low 55. They look plain *wrong*.



My thoughts:

1. my chassis is very stiffly sprung and low - great for track, not so much for 20k+ miles a year street miles
2. new wheels (e.g bbs) was going to cost me a small fortune - and that well's dried up folks
3. I'm a big fan of traditional hot rods - in looks at least.

So I made a radical choice that I love (and ain't I the only one that counts?!!) - widened mopar cop steel wheels and 70's series tires.

*stunned silence*

hehe. Yeah, well. So I have a race car that basically looks like a '55 running on pro-street hoosiers and 70's series eagles. I love the look, the sidewalls will sure cut down on track cornering but the car is built to kick-ass on the street now. Trust me it'll still outrun most posers around the bends. Who knows, if I find a pot of gold I'll buy a set of track wheels for Road Atlanta.

Plus, it's kinda fun when everyone thinks I have a '55 and then I open the hood...or when I put my foot down.

btw, it's not finished yet. Probably next spring before it'll hit the road...hard! In the meantime, is this the place to hang out and talk about building fast DRIVERS?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site. That '55 is all sorts of cool; you're most definitely welcome here.

In the meantime, is this the place to hang out and talk about building fast DRIVERS?

Indeed it is.

[roadracer55]

Thanks Ralph! I'll do some reading before posting more..

Btw, the name's James Shaw - I read the rules but forgot that part...

[Cruiser]

WOW !!!! That is going to be one cool ride I love it!! I love the wheels, no bling and all business looks.

[syborg tt]

okay that thing looks very impressive. Please post more pics

[a62belair]

Love the dog dish-in-your face look of hubcaps, especially when they are looking at your taillights!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Thanks Ralph! I'll do some reading before posting more..

Btw, the name's James Shaw - I read the rules but forgot that part...

Sounds good, James. You'll definitely fit right in.

No worries on the name protocol; it's not set a rule, but something we like to employ, as the first-name-basis posts help to promote a friendly and tight-knit community.

[muthstryker]

welcome, thats already bada$$ should suprise others alot

[Smock67]

Thats going to be one badass sleeper when its done. Welcome to the site

[novanutcase]

I HATE IT!!!!!



















can I have it????


Welcome James!!!

John

[55chevyman]

have a 55 myself. the steel wheels look awesome. i have a set of 14 inch white steel wheels on mine right now with little dog dish hubcaps. i will post some pics once we get it outside in the light

[parsonsj]

Very nice! More please.

jp

ps. And some explanation about the "worm welds" on that radiator is in order as well.

[roadracer55]

have a 55 myself. the steel wheels look awesome. i have a set of 14 inch white steel wheels on mine right now with little dog dish hubcaps. i will post some pics once we get it outside in the light

Thanks, although I have to be careful calling mine a '55

I'll be rolling mine outside too for some better shots soon - i haven't any recent chassis shots.

[roadracer55]

Very nice! More please.

jp

ps. And some explanation about the "worm welds" on that radiator is in order as well.

omg, don't ask about the radiator. please, just pretend that you didnt see that.



the radiator is a custom pace products 4 core rad that i lovingly had built for my last car, which required an upright rad. I wanted to still use it, so I asked a local shop who said they could weld aluminum to remove the tabs and fittings and re-weld them in their new 90"-different positions.

What I got back was..well, embarassing. If I had more funds I would send it back to pace for new tanks/sides but I dont have the money at the moment and they did pressure test it to 50psi so at least I'm confident that it's going to *work*.

suffice it to say, i won't be taking any more work there.

damn. if people notice it that quickly I'm going to have to cover it with a towel or something from now on. *sigh*

[parsonsj]

What I got back was..well, embarassing.

Ah, that's funny! Sorry about pointing out the sore spot. As for me, when people point out a bad weld on mine, I just tell them it was an "early one". You know, like one made by a rank amateur just learning how to weld.

jp

[Rubes]

...when people point out a bad weld on mine,...

jp

Yeah right

Welcome James...looks like no other '55 I've seen in a while. Looks like it, and you, will fit right in here. Is that you own design/built chassis too...COOL!!!

[71dusterdan]

welcome james, i love mopar cop wheels, it may be kinda sacriligous on a 55 chevy, but i love it. as for the "worm welds" don't mind parsons he is walking around on cloud nine cause his homebuilt butt kicker got a huge article in this months popular hottrodding. not to mention to complete how to fab your own suspension builds a couple of years ago; BBWWHHhahahahaha. so now he is looking down from his pedestal, a well deserved pedestal mind you. okay just kidding everyone, i know parsons was just having fun. your 55 is wicked keep us posted. and again welcome. Dan

[70TWO NOVA]

You ahav an awsome 55, welcome to the site!! Keep them pics coming too...please

[roadracer55]

Is that you own design/built chassis too...COOL!!!

No, can't take credit for that. Wisbech Engineering took all my ideas and requirements and did a really nice job creating a chassis. I'll tell more when I take more photos if this storm ever passes and I can push her outside...

i love mopar cop wheels, it may be kinda sacriligous on a 55 chevy, but i love it

hehe, being English living in the States I'm allowed to be a little sacriligious - I wasn't brought up with the Ford/Chevy/Mopar rivalry, You gotta have a thick skin modiying cars cos there'll always be people who hate it (or who pick holes in it JOHN, lol)

[ProTouring442]

Sweet Project!

Keep the pics and stories comming!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill