Finally got a build plan, after much deliberation and research I have decided to build a race car with a twist! My plan is to keep it mostly traditional but you also keep it safe. I have two (2) other hotrods and want somthing fast and safe for the track! Plan to use the factory frame, body and put a steel floor in it. Going to make my own panels. No wood! I would like to get a chassis certification to 8:50, and for now I'm going to put a 65 model 396 in it with about 12 to 1 compression. Have all the parts already in a good set of heads. Fuel cell in battery in the back. Going to put tubing in it for bracing where the wood was. And yes it will have. Correct headlights taillights on it. I can always put historic tags and drive it on the street at Cruise Night. This is the plan for now, and even though I haven't officially started on it I am buying parts and hoarding parts. LOL hopefully in a couple of months I'll have my 54 Chevy pickup on the road and can start on the chassis for the 31. Remember RAT ON and burn a tire!...
What if you did a tube chassis / cage with just the frame rail stubs coming out the firewall then you could fasten body panels to cage aluminum floor , would gain lots of room and kill a couple birds with a stone?
Here's a few... there are few pics here and there on other posts also. Getting ready to run all the brake lines on the frame and just got the big block Chevy position in Brackets welded into the box frame. 396 with a 700 R4 with 373 posi rear. All the metal panels are in on the passenger side, the driver side is all fitted just need to finish welding.
Want to try to use the original frame and modify it. With a 5 window I can always move the seat further back and extend the steering column to give me a little more room. I plan on moving the engine and transmission further back in the firewall and maybe putting a mid plate and with the coupe it'll give me more room taking the seat all the way back to the back window. I'm 6-2 and have pretty long legs. There will be plenty of measuring and opportunity to just go with the flow. I want to try to keep it simple and safe!
I’m 5’11” and had one channeled 5” , chopped 5” it gets tight in there quick new owner is 6’ I believe and he fits real snug add helmet belts and race gear ... just a thought
Just remembered where I saw that, it was on an BBC powered Austin Healey on the old "Byron's Gasser Madness".
Still buying parts for the Chevy coupe, and still working on the truck the 54 that is. Going to put a 409 in this Coupe with a clutch pedal not sure on exact transmission yet but a friend of mine has this for sale it's a liberty. Would have to change the input shaft and comes with several sets of gears. Time will tell.....
Update a good friend has the 31 Chevy now, I have went a different way. Here are som pics I’ve been helping him a little. It’s just a start and trying to locate where everything supposed to go in this mock up...
The Jalopy Journal
