Early 60's Chevrolets

[crewcutkid]

I know that as a Ford guy I'm kinda stretching my own rules here, but I've always liked early 60's impalas. Are these worthwile cars (the coupes) to turn into gassers/hotrods/street killers? I don't like lowriders, but a mild kustom would be okay I guess. Anyway, any input, as long as it's positive, would be helpful. Thanks,
-Crew

[JohnnyB327]

yeah ya could probably make a good street machine outta one but youd have to really lighten them damn boats up, put a torquey motor in it, some low gears and a manual trans.

[chromedRAT]

dude, 1963 Z-11 chevy... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif supposedly so badass that the NHRA made the modified production class to accomodate them and other such cars. they can be wicked with the big ol 409 for sure, but like any old full sized car, weight is the issue. i always wanted to build astreet murdering 61-64 two door post car, i think the post cars are lightest.

[mr57]

I think they make better cruisers than bruisers. Each year has it's own paricular model that looks the best, in my opinion.
1961 - Nomad wagon
1962 - Biscayne two door post
1963 - Impala SS hardtop or rag
1964 - Impala four door hardtop
I personally don't care for 65-8's.
each to his own, I guess.

[JohnnyB327]

63 Z-11 mystery motors were 427 cubic inches but the same block. those motors would be rare as hell if ya found one of em.

[zman]

Both reece and drewid have the early 60's chevy thing going on. More of a sleeper thing though. But yeah you could do it. Stout motor, 4 speed, posi, and there you go...

[RileyRacing]

I've got a 60 Biscayne. Granted, I haven't touched it since I got it, but to me it'll always be a better "cruiser" than "bruiser". Those Chevy's are alot of car (I owned a 64 too) and it takes alot of engine to move all that car around. Take a look at Super Stock by Larry Davis if ya wanna see a bunch of cool Chevy's of that era... he's got a bunch of em in that book!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jay

[choprods]

Have ya seen many of these? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifI think the cheaper models are the best fodder.....also they arent so expensive to buy or build either......

[zman]

Kinda like this one.... They're cool...

[Psycho78]

[ QUOTE ]
I've got a 60 Biscayne. Granted, I haven't touched it since I got it, but to me it'll always be a better "cruiser" than "bruiser".

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree... They make some badass cruisers. I vote for a mild kustom. Early 60's chevs look badass when they are scraping!!!!

[63CadGuy]

I dig all of the mid 60's big cars, especially the 62-66 2dr post cars. I'd love to build a reproduction early 60's super stocker, big block with the front end up and some skinny slicks on black steel wheels!!! They also look cool as low slung customs.

[reece]

hey man, I been waiting for a thread like this- My 61 Impala hardtop is a fun ride. I love it to death -I am running a 355 SBC with Vortec truck heads and a muncie 4 speed. My only problem is traction... The 55-64 cars use a Hotchkiss style axle where the center section drops out. <font color="red"> </font> -slicks are a no-no. Trust me I know this from first hand experience. I shifted from 1st to second and I thought I had driven over a landmine. On the street I run 255/60s on 8 inch ralley wheels that just like to spin. I have thought about building a chassis for the car to eliminate the X frame it currently has and this would allow me to run a one piece driveshaft as well. I have destroyed many center support bearings with mine. On a positive note there are plenty of parts for these cars available and tons of repro parts.

Oh-they really aren't as heavy as you may think-mine weighs 3150 lbs with no interior except for the front bench. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[SimonSez]

Here's a picture of my '61 Biscayne ...

I weighed it at the drags and it was 3938 lbs with me in it plus spare tyre, tools and floor jack in the back. I guess the car on it's own would be about 3600 lbs.

[slammed]

Nice, Nice ride. Love the wheel's w/ that color too. The only way this pic could be any better......is if local -Amazon- Lucy 'Zena' Lawless was to give it a bit more color, if you will. Good post!

[Drewid]

I love me some 58-64 big chevys. And don't believe what you are told about weight. If you look at the curb weight on a new mustang you'll see that a smaller package doesn't always mean that it weighs less. I have surprised more than one teenager with my "heavy chevy". They might jump out of the hole on me, but I love the look on their face http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif when I pass them in first gear at 6500rpm with the front raised high and the rear end really digging in. By the way VFN fiberglass is offering some fiberglass goodies if you want to put your super stock chevy on a diet. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[zman]

Yeah the weigth isn't such a big deal. Hell my '57 Buick was 4012 lbs from the factory, I have since probably lost a good 300 or 400 lbs off of it between the tranny and rear end conversions. A new 2004 Mustang tips the scales at 3469 lbs.
Hmmmm... Maybe I do have a shot after all...

[crewcutkid]

I recently saw a car show on SPEED channel, and a guy had taken his "heavy chebby" and turned it into a road racer for the mexican road race. They demonstrated this thing at a road course track and it preformed like a formula one car! It was awesome, and I want to pattern an early 60's chebby after that one.
-Crew

[littledeucecoupe427]

Here is my 62 biscayne sedan mild custom thanks to a photoshopped paint job and wheels.
http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/littledeucecoupe427/375929-Ashleys_Carbb2.jpg

[JimC]

Allus had a soft spot for 62's.
Liked the idea of mild custom, too.
There have been some quick ones, guess i think street is neat.
Mine had a 355 with 350(shift kit) ran all right
It werent skeered of no Chevell SS 396. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif