Project X

[Jim Nilsen]

Now I remember seeing it at the show, lots of people around it and the only unique thing I really liked about it from a distance was the rear qtr inserts were like little chevy bowties interlocked together.

I have never been that excited about 57's. My brother owned one and it was always just a boat on wheels to me and pony cars were what excited me. There have been so many 55-7's done so many different ways that I guess I have become numb to the changes they made and it just didn't go over the top. Since they probably nailed the theme they were trying to get most people who like them probably were creaming their jeans but it just didn't do it for me.

I am wondering what it does performance wise with the new setup and how it stacks up to other 57's that are out there ?
I really do like the color and the workmanship looked flawless from how close I got to it. Just too bad they didn't realize that pro-street is dead for most people and I am one of them, that's why I am here !!

[Steve1968LS2]

Now I remember seeing it at the show, lots of people around it and the only unique thing I really liked about it from a distance was the rear qtr inserts were like little chevy bowties interlocked together.

I have never been that excited about 57's. My brother owned one and it was always just a boat on wheels to me and pony cars were what excited me. There have been so many 55-7's done so many different ways that I guess I have become numb to the changes they made and it just didn't go over the top. Since they probably nailed the theme they were trying to get most people who like them probably were creaming their jeans but it just didn't do it for me.

I am wondering what it does performance wise with the new setup and how it stacks up to other 57's that are out there ?
I really do like the color and the workmanship looked flawless from how close I got to it. Just too bad they didn't realize that pro-street is dead for most people and I am one of them, that's why I am here !!

Actually Pro-Street is dead to most people ON HERE.. still way more prevelant than Pro-Touring.

The 57 is probably the best riding car around.. It actually rides and steers like a band new car and it feels solid as a rock. I have no idea on the performance side though.

Oh, and quarter inserts have interlocked "X"s.. no bowties.. when your GM you can do one off stuff like that ;)

[class67]

The only thing I don't like is the degree that the hood opens up to...it just doesn't look right, though it makes it easier for anyone that has to work on it i guess.

[Steve1968LS2]

The only thing I don't like is the degree that the hood opens up to...it just doesn't look right, though it makes it easier for anyone that has to work on it i guess.

It will stay open at different heights.. all the way open makes it easy to see the ductwork on the underside.

Here are those Xs.. they are on the interior trim as well:

[Jim Nilsen]

Thanks for the pic Steve to clear that up for me, from the distance I saw them at I thought they were bowties, I need to get some new glasses . Bowties seemed like the logical thing to interlock to me at the time but X's are what the car is so it makes more sense.

[Bob Johnson]

Actually Pro-Street is dead to most people ON HERE.. still way more prevelant than Pro-Touring.

The 57 is probably the best riding car around.. It actually rides and steers like a band new car and it feels solid as a rock. I have no idea on the performance side though.

Oh, and quarter inserts have interlocked "X"s.. no bowties.. when your GM you can do one off stuff like that ;)

I keep hearing all you magazine guys saying Pro Street is still going strong. i can say with experience that trying to sell a Pro Street Car is very difficult. i just can't get into it. A pro-touring car will bring a helluva lot more money and get a lot more action when you're selling. in my book pro street is dead, they just haven't buried it yet..

[Bob Johnson]

For factory guys, both the 57 and the little 34 or whatever year it was Bonneville Race car were both pretty tasteful. I'd hate to know how much that cost GM to build..bet it was 7 figures on the 57..they were talking about how many CNC machines they had tied up doing machine work on it. That molded trunklid liner was pretty neat. nice to have that kind of machinery at your disposal.

[Steve1968LS2]

I keep hearing all you magazine guys saying Pro Street is still going strong. i can say with experience that trying to sell a Pro Street Car is very difficult. i just can't get into it. A pro-touring car will bring a helluva lot more money and get a lot more action when you're selling. in my book pro street is dead, they just haven't buried it yet..

Go to any local car show.. you're far more likely to see a PS car than a PT car.

I think PS is slowing down... and evolving PT elements. I also feel PT is on the upswing.

I think what it is is that there are still LOTS of PS cars on the road. You are 100% right that it's really hard to sell one. Mostly because it's such a purpose built car and many times a pain to drive.

[TonyL]

Thing is, most of those pro-street cars at shows have been done for years. These guys are just carrying them from show to show and doing the lawn chair boogie behind them over and over.

Pro-touring cars are the new crowd at the shows. It's the "current trend"
There are fewer of them at shows because there are fewer of them done to take. And fewer still that are done, but who's owners cringe at the thought of taking it to a show just to sit and shine. The hobby is evolving, so are the ways people show off their creations. Which is why we have driving events now.

[class67]

I go to alot of shows and IMO, PT is definatley taking over. Whether it be a true PT car or a wannabe, they are the most popular and I do not see hardly any PS cars as Tony L says they are cars from years past that keep being drug out. Kinda nastalgiac now...lol

[Jim Nilsen]

Was talking to a friend about this and he pointed out that I really didn't like pro street cars back when they began. I always figured if you had traction and horsepower it didn't matter what it really looked like, you were going to kick ass on the other guy. I also don't like gears so low that you are rpm limited. We also discussed that the saftey factor of a ps is limited to weather conditions you would drag race in and for the street it just didn't make sense to me and it still doesn't. Get caught in the rain or worse yet the snow in September in Wisconsin and you are almost disabled, my car at the time way back in 81 could drive in a blizzard and still be safe. Go more than a qtr mile and I would leave a ps so far behind it was hilarious not to mention taking a corner.

A guy at work the other day who is an old school drag guy even said he like pt cars more now and thinks that not only is it practical but it is proving to be faster and quicker than ps. So it is just not the opinion of the people here it is a growing belief that pt is just better and more fun along with being safer.

As far as being dead but not buried ? ps will always have a place in peoples hearts and the function of them will always be there so it will be like the old classic hotrod dueces and such that have a place in history and still haven't been buried yet a transformation keeps moving as new parts are made to outdo the guy who can only buy parts. Which leads to the thought that all of the ps cars you see are just there because they are easy and cheap to buy and available. Show us some new ps cars that were recently built and not just updated and it will put the perspective on how pt is gaining ground.

[Bob Johnson]

Go to any local car show.. you're far more likely to see a PS car than a PT car.

I think PS is slowing down... and evolving PT elements. I also feel PT is on the upswing.

I think what it is is that there are still LOTS of PS cars on the road. You are 100% right that it's really hard to sell one. Mostly because it's such a purpose built car and many times a pain to drive.

The reason there are more of them, is that they've been around a lot longer. Look at the guys driving them..most are living 20 years ago and their cars are dated as hell. You just don't see many new fresh cool ones being built. There was a blown 63 Vette at PRI in the Griffin booth...I kinda liked it..anice car but blowers sticking out of the hood and monster rear tires just don't do it for me..it was a real nice car though

[Bob Johnson]

Was talking to a friend about this and he pointed out that I really didn't like pro street cars back when they began. I always figured if you had traction and horsepower it didn't matter what it really looked like, you were going to kick ass on the other guy. I also don't like gears so low that you are rpm limited. We also discussed that the saftey factor of a ps is limited to weather conditions you would drag race in and for the street it just didn't make sense to me and it still doesn't. Get caught in the rain or worse yet the snow in September in Wisconsin and you are almost disabled, my car at the time way back in 81 could drive in a blizzard and still be safe. Go more than a qtr mile and I would leave a ps so far behind it was hilarious not to mention taking a corner.

A guy at work the other day who is an old school drag guy even said he like pt cars more now and thinks that not only is it practical but it is proving to be faster and quicker than ps. So it is just not the opinion of the people here it is a growing belief that pt is just better and more fun along with being safer.

As far as being dead but not buried ? ps will always have a place in peoples hearts and the function of them will always be there so it will be like the old classic hotrod dueces and such that have a place in history and still haven't been buried yet a transformation keeps moving as new parts are made to outdo the guy who can only buy parts. Which leads to the thought that all of the ps cars you see are just there because they are easy and cheap to buy and available. Show us some new ps cars that were recently built and not just updated and it will put the perspective on how pt is gaining ground.

I could maybe understand running those monster size pro street tires if they hooked up. i've owned a lot of pro street cars and every one of them would light up those big meats like they weren't even there...good set of drag radials work much better from my experience.

[67z28]

I've considered changing directions with my PS Camaro, but haven't been able to get a clear answer on a couple questisions I've wondered about. Why can't a PS car be coverted to PT. Mine for example has a 4-link, nice stiff chassis, 4-wheel disc, and so on (basically a nice chassis) why does it seem people are afraid to convert a PS to a PT car. The rear inside tin work would need to change, but most peolpe rework it for larger tires anyway. Is the 4-link that limited, because it seems a few change and it should work fine to me. I'm no expert though just a shade tree mechanic.

[kennyd]

The reason there are more of them, is that they've been around a lot longer. Look at the guys driving them..most are living 20 years ago and their cars are dated as hell. You just don't see many new fresh cool ones being built. There was a blown 63 Vette at PRI in the Griffin booth...I kinda liked it..anice car but blowers sticking out of the hood and monster rear tires just don't do it for me..it was a real nice car though

was that the troy vette ? is was going to PRI and was silver and purple .

[cmraman]

was that the troy vette ? is was going to PRI and was silver and purple .

Yes it was.