Old Pics of my New 56 Chev Project car.

[Mart]

Thanks to UK rodders Andy Remnant and Keith Harman (aka Lord Purple of Binfield, great name) I now have some old snaps of my new 56 Chev project car.
Here's as I found it, languishing in my mate's barn. (he bought it not long ago)
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/261805-martschev01.jpg
and here's how it looked about 1980 or so when first imported I guess:

[Mart]

And here it is a couple of years later, jacked up, minus side chrome and sporting the hot setup, a Jag rearend and white letter tyres.

[Mart]

And Andy sez this was taken at the 85 AAC meet, note it's now lowered, and had lost the Jag rear by then.

[Mart]

I don't have it home yet, planning for next friday, but I like the stock look with the side chrome in place. I'll see if I can find some trim pieces and reinstate the 2-tone look to lighten it up a bit.
Mart.

[Deyomatic]

Hey, that steering whell really IS on the wrong side now (for you). Will they let you drive it like that?

In that first pic, is that the "little old lady" that only drove it to church and to the grocery store every week?

[Mart]

Hey, quit with the little old lady stuff, that's my daughter! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think the car went to quite a few churches in it's time, it was used as a hearse when new in Belgium!
Mart.

[Rocket Scientist Chris]

Mart - Do the plates (GMC 59V) stay with the car its whole life? Your wagon has gone through so many changes, it seems like those plates are the only constant! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[AV8 Dave]

Way to go Mart! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Nothing like a new beast to get the hotrod juices flowing anew! Going to use it as a daily driver? Thanks for the pics! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Regards, Dave.

[hatch]

Mart...you've got WAY TOO much cool stuff!!!...Here's a pic of my 57 150, the day I bought it...1971 in Kansas. I bought it from the original owner for $225.00. Damn near rust free, original chrome, six stick, no radio or heater. This would be the car I want back if I ever could get that wish!!!...have fun with it...I'm jealous!!!! ...Oh yeah, thats my Henry J and new 750 Honda in the background...I guess Air Force pay wasn't so bad after all!!

[Mart]

Deyo:
Yes driving a left hand drive car in the UK is ok. Bit tricky when trying to overtake, but actually most of the development cars at work are left hand drive, I drive either type without a second thought.
R S Chris:
Normally the registration number stays on the car for the life of the vehicle. It is possible to transfer a "cherished" number onto another car, so sometimes they will change, but the vast majority stay on the original car.
AV8 Dave: Thanks, (nice to see your A really taking shape by the way). No it won't be a daily driver. With the price of fuel over here, it's out of the question to run something like that everyday. There's also the generally damp weather to take into account. Collectors cars are best used for pleasure rather than the daily grind. Would be nice though.
Hatch:
Wow! I love that '57. It's a real creme puff. To be honest I think these cars look better near stock, especially the 150's with the minimal chrome. It's a crying shame the side trims were taken off mine.
Thanks for all the comments, can't wait to get it home.
Mart.

[hatch]

Mart..I agree...the 150 was perfect..."Just enough" trim to accent the shape of the cars. For me, it's a 150 or a Nomad (all or nothing!!!!)...no other models really worked as well in my mind.

[Mike Landwehr]

NICE! Mines been converted to a sedan delivery , any body got a full set of interior rr side window garnishes for a 2 dr 55-7 wgn?

[radical56chevy]

mart...looks good..nice to see more of these old 56 wagons running around..check out my 56's on the link..

[Deyomatic]

I agree 100%, the near-stock look on a tri 5 Chevy is great. It is refreshing to still see them like that, before everyone comes along and puts Cragers on it, and tints the windows and gets 15 coats of clear coat, and puts the "Look but don't touch my Classic Chevrolet" sticker all over it.