Gasser... Yes / No ( 55 Chevy Hardtop )

I am on the fence if I should turn my bel air into a gasser..

A hard top gasser just doesn't sit right with me.... Maybe because you just don't see too many HT's anymore.... or BC you don't see too many HT gassers

55 Chevy
454 BB - Turbo 350
4.11 posi rear
Fiberglass tilt front
Full frame up build by POPCHOP in the 80's
Currently runs 13.20


Plans would be
- detroit diesel blower ( sitting on my bench )
- Straight axle conversion
- Fender well headers
- 4 speed
- 60's style wheels

What do you guys think ?


Current PICS below

 

Maybe it's just me, but I've seen one too many 55 Gassers (black) paying homage to non-gasser Bob Falfa and the Two-Lane Blacktop cars of late.
That hardtop is so creamy and pretty ... man, if it were mine, I'd change the wheels and chrome the rear bumper and roll the bejesus out of it as is... but it's not mine, and that's just my opinion.
But since a hardtop gasser doesn't sit right with you either, you got one on your side. Of course, I'm probably just a minority in this group.

 

In the '60s '55 hardtops were usually run in modified production. The 2-door sedans were the gassers. Your hardtop is one fine Chevy, put in the 4-speed and drive. The FOGGER

 

I think you have a nice car I wouldnt make it a gasser ,I love gassers but I see ALOT of 55 chevy gassers.Your car looks good how it is.I say this respectfully it is your car this is just my thoughts,thanks cobey j. clarkson

 

no, don't.

 

my vote NO!!!!!!
why ruin a fine looking car like that.

 

NO! Hardtop don't look right as Gassers.

 

Yes,thats a no.

 

Seems pretty much the same all around. Post cars make better gassers.

 

Hacking up a pretty nice car to make a simulated race car is foolishness of the first order. Of course, this is America, and you a free to be as foolish as you choose.

 

No way man!

 

go a head and just do it ,your already half way there,the dash is not stock ,you got a glass front end already , put the 4 sp in even if you don't do it ,i like this one

 

Be different.... convert it to a four door.

 

I've already got a set of car seats in the back. Thanks for the bumping my thread though.

 

No gasser for that one. Nice ride as is, it sits good, needs more traditional seating up front though. The 4 speed and fenderwell headers would be a nice late 60's "street racer" touch. I think that's the direction I would go with it. No front bumper ( if you can get away with it ), tow bar brackets on the front and chrome reverses. Have to agree on the chrome rear bumper too, station wagon bumper to get the plate off the deck lid. Just my $0.02.

 

Although I really dig gassers in your case I would leave well enough alone, it's a nice ride as is IMHO.

Now, if you were to section, narrow, chop and make a 5/8 scale car out of it with a full size hemi like one of those old Zingers, well that might be a horse of a different color ;-)

Hmmmmmmm........

Al in CT

 

Yes , but I love gassers .

 

I have to agree, sedans look better than hardtops when gasserized.

The sport coupes were always more of a showboat, like the convertible. The sedans were way more plentiful and were cheaper, thus typically became racecars. Plus some people would argue that the sedans are structurally a little stronger (I would tend to agree based on some body damage I am starting to see with the Sport Coupe hardtop I beat on regularly...)

Check out my Fotki site for a ton of tri-five gassers if you are looking for ideas for yours...

 

Sweet car! That said....make it the tow car for a gasser project.

 

My votes: Gasser-NO .... Dump those ridiculous seats-YES.

 

blown gasser ? Heck yes!!! there are too many red and white resto mod 55 ht's around any way!
If you look in the book gasser wars, you will see lots of hard top gassers, they wern't as rare or desireable in the late 50's early 60's.
kind of like hard top stock cars, they were used... just not any more because of the value.

 

Plenty of hardtops ran in Gas classes.
Elmo Guy from Bowling Green, KY's Hilborn injected screamer, courtesy of www.olddrags.com

 

No gasser, mild custom, Yes. Both of the gasser HT's posted on here look wrong, to me. But hey, its your car.

 

well do you like attention?,caus if you do ..gasser it out, it wont be just another pritty face in the crowd,and if you keep the frame stock and just unbolt the suspension,and mount the springs to it you could always change it back

 

Really, this thing is wicked! I say go for it!g

 

I vote leave it as is, the way trends change nowadays you'll be back in style and you'll be considered the latest trendsetter...

 

Lift it and put 28's on it--get 'DONK' with it!


Its your car so just do you & what you feel!

 

Don't do it! Get rid of those seats, put some REAL wheels on the car and put the 4 speed in it, then enjoy! Nothing like a car with a stick.

 

is there any other style for a 55................make it a GASSER

 

Heres all ya have to do:

Keep your Hardtop as is and simply invest in a ANOTHER 55/57 project car and turn THAT car into a Gasser. Your first 55 Hardtop will serve as a solid model as to which will provide great referance. SIMPLE AS THAT!

Go to this link for ideas.

http://public.fotki.com/redlinetoys/gassers/