Although those traction bars will somewhat "work", they're more of a "visual", than "functional", setup. A bar WELDED to the spring pad would be more effective. Contacting the front spring eye IS the way to do it; seen a lot of the Tri-Fives with bent springs because of too short of bars. Mine are too short to be really effective, they make contact about 4 inches from the front spring eye, but I also have spring packs with two full leafs as the first in the set (hope that makes sense). I do like the 60's, Gasser flavor you're taking with the car, and 56 Chevrolets are my favorite cars (I'm only on number 10 now). I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
New front tires yesterday and some alignment this morning. I'm thinking a decent road test is in order later today.
I was able to get all of my cardboard panels cut yesterday. I made my own cardboard template for the doors and rear quarters and then bought the good cardboard from an upholstery shop. I bought the rear deck and front kick panels because they were cheap enough to not waste time on them. If anyone would like a paper pattern of any of them to make your own, I would be happy to trace them and share. The good cardboard only costs about ten bucks a sheet so it would save quite a bit over buying them out of a catalog. I think a set of door panels alone was sixty bucks before paying to ship....
Here is a down and dirty explanation of my sewing technique with the cobblers machine. Of course you have to lay out the lines on your material...... Then, I made a clamp out of tube aluminum from the hardware store to hold my sew foam and material together while stitching. This allowed me to control the line direction with one hand and manage the excess traveling through the machine throat with the other. Notice the wrinkles from having to fold it to get the big section through the machine. Here is the final result after some cussing and practice
Sorry for the slug of updates, I've been very busy dedicating all my extra time to getting the car ready for Torquefest. Here is the final stance after I aligned everything and proved it with a road test.
So here is the interior update I got a little bored stitching diamonds so I took a break in the middle of doing the side panels to make the rear deck. I wanted to change the color so it didn't wash out and I also didn't want to deal with the rear window glare from a light color. I'm sure the shiny material will provide enough. I test fit the driver door panel after stretching and gluing it to the cardboard. Still have to paint my window trim.... Seeing a portion of the finished result got me re-motivated to get the rest of the side panels put together. I'm pretty pleased with the result for this being my first try with zero experience. I then moved on to the rear seat. I was able to save the rear seat from my grandfathers car which was really cool to me. I blasted and cleaned the frame and painted it. I did my best to research the right way to reupholster it from scratch and came up with the process shown. I'm not thrilled with the seat cover, but it will work for a first try. I made this section to be an insert in the seat back. I'm going to surround it with the black material to add some contrast and style.
I've been stitching on the week nights after work and hitting the garage on the weekends. Last weekend I started on the floor. I wanted to run a vinyl floor in the car and I was able to find one through the Danchuk company. It is very thick and a little bit of a pain to work with. Lots of patience goes a long way to make sure you get it trimmed right and work the wrinkles out. It's getting better each night as I move my weights around inside the car to help lay it flat. I modified a normal boot to fit the ramrod shifter in my car. Had a good moment when my 12 year old step son came out on his own and helped me install it. I always like when he takes an interest without being prodded. Here is a before picture so needless to say it is exciting to see the final results showing up. I removed the heater box and I painted the firewall cover flat black to clean it up a little bit. It's not a perfect solution, but half the battle is deciding what to spend your money on sometimes when you can't get everything you want at once.
So I have a side story while all of this is going on. My dad has owned a 57 delivery since he was 16 years old. He bought the car as his first and it has been his dream for many many years now. With a little help, he finally drug it home from my grandfathers farm and we began sizing up what is needed to get it rolling. In our hunt, we located the 283 he used to run in a 65 nova hardtop that he had when I was young. The guy he sold it to pulled out the motor and went a different direction. The motor ended up with an old friend of my dad who I had never met before. When we went to talk to the guy who had it, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was into cars and had a nice shop. So after a few beers and shooting the breeze, a deal was struck for the motor. I knew I was going to buy a car trailer this spring so I could get my 56 to the shows that were further away from home and he happened to have this trailer sitting next to his shop. He offered it to me for 1000 needing tire and new lights. I took him up on it as I didn't think I could do much better for the price. So when we go back to get the motor and the trailer, I see this tach sitting on a shelf in the shop and I ask about it as I have been looking for a nice older tach to put in my ride. He gives it to me and I couldn't be more grateful. The thing functions great and I like the way it looks in the car. So now comes the Jethro Bodine portion of the story. I have an old 96 Silverado farm truck with worn out springs and rusted hangers. I figure now is as good a time as any to make my own flatbed. I welded up my flatbed frame and installed a new hitch. While I was at it, I replaced the springs with 3/4 ton and replaced the hangers on all four corners. It pulls the trailer very well, I still have to finish the deck.
hope to see you at GoodGuys Des Moines. I have a flamed black 40 Ford tudor, my avatar on the decklid.
Great progress the car sits nice. Interior is looking sweet lots of work I'm sure, I can't imagine doing all that cutting a stitching good job. On the side note let's see some pictures of Dads 57 or have him start a thread. Ron
I hope you are able to make it to Torquefest. I saw this car when still for sale just South of Newton. I was after his coupe and he sold it out from me. I have to give you credit, this car is a bigger project than I was willing to take on. You have skill and ambition. Look for a custom 51 Chevy convertible inside the main building at Torquefest. Stop and say hello.
Will do. Were you after the "headhunter" car? I will stop by for sure, I will be camping all weekend and we will be there on Thursday. I look forward to meeting you.
No. It's too much of a stretch for us this year. I'm getting ready to build an addition and a new shop. Have to make momma happy.... She needs a new shop right?? : )
we usually try to park behind the admin bldg. by the outdoor stage. I have heard there is special parking for 40 Fords on Saturday so I will try to be in that. Others in my group are a blk 55 Chevy, others have finished cars with others under const, so don't know which they will be driving. beige 37 Packard roadster or green 58 Cad, yellow 31 Chev coupe or blk 31 Pontiac sedan, blue 40 Chevy or silver 62 Chev ragtop.
Pretty good week. I was able to finish up the rear seat and get the side panels installed. I still have some very minor things to do. The highlight was last night when I delivered a couple kids to the grand entrance at a small town prom. With the permission from the local police I even un corked the headers so EVERYONE knew they were coming. Damn cones messed up a cool shot a friend of mine in the crowd sent me.
Nice car, great interior job! I knew when I seen the name of the car that it would be familiar. I have seen your car at GoodGuys last summer and looked it over well. Not easy to miss! Your doing a great job to make it yours. Next time I see it, I hope to meet and talk about it.
Hey man I like your car. I remember watching this thing when it was on craigslist. I even saved a few pictures of it. I love green cars and the lettering just makes this one. Nice progress you are making on it.
The Jalopy Journal
