I think I read, where many credit you for putting the first “straight axle” under a ‘Tri-5” Chevy, when you grafted a Willy’s front suspension under this ‘55? I also remember you tell the story of looking for another ‘55, and Pork Zartman convincing you to build a Willys instead?
56 my son just bought, had been parked in a garage for over 30 years. Has a 327 with a tunnel ram and 2- 4s and a 4 speed and olds rear-end.
I havent visit this thread in awhile. glad I did this morning! so many great cars, thanks to all who've posted pics. I've been thinking alot about building another (57' delivery I hope, maybe 2 door wagon) and now I'm even more motivated.
To catch up and get ideas go check out this SD thread many Chevies LOL https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/sedan-delivery-and-panel-truck-picture-thread.1079062/
Mr. Panneton, Well.... that is about half right! Here is what happened, condensed version. Yes, after my 55 Chevy was totaled, Charlie Hill and Pork Zartman convinced me that a Willys coupe was a better idea. I found one in the fall of 1962 and started building it in the garage I shared with my S&S teammate Fred Bear (that is his car in the first photo in the far lane). He was refitting his car to run in E/Gas. The front sheet metal was off and the firewall was cut out to facilitate the 10% set-back. My Willys was sitting next to his car with the body off the frame. HE started looking at the difference between the two vehicles front suspension components. And he started measuring everything. He determined the outside of the Willys frame near the firewall was very close to the same width as the inside of the 55 Chevy frame. Within a few days we found a donor Willys 4 door sedan in a junk yard and cut the frame in half, with front suspension, steering etc. all intact. The 55 lost the front half of it's frame and the Willys frame was grafted on. So bottom line, I may have had a hand in that situation but Fred Bear is the one that did it to his car. Not sure if it was actually the first straight axle but it was one of the early ones for sure. Those were fun times for a bunch of real young guys!!! Thanks for asking.....
Seen it many times too, at what was then called Seattle International Raceway, back when Jim Rockstad was running it. Your black and white photo does't do the paint any justice; a lot of purple and blue with goldleaf lettering. Where was that photo taken? I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
I found these photos on another site. Local Long Island racer "Coney Island Ralph" Londolfi. The 55 Chevy was his first gasser
Really like this car. Has engine set back. Straight axle. Research reveals races at Aquasco mid 60-s. Engine was built by Coleman Brothers Speed Shop ,Rt 1, Elkridge Md. Anyone know anything about it?
Still looking for this one. Last seen in the San Fernando Valley 1969-1970. Bill Bonelli III (His family owned Saugus Speedway), bought it around 1968, then sold it a year later, and can’t remember who bought it. Any info is greatly appreciated.
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