Hot Rods 37/38 Chevy Gasser and I’ve got the Pink Slip!

Here's some inspiration for ya: I built this model last year because I realized I'll never own a 37-38 gasser. I already have a 38 coupe and it's a family heirloom, so if I gassered it Dad would spin in his grave.

 

Great score. I luv them old chevy coupes.

 

Those are stock rear shackles that thread into the spring eyes, and use a tapered end on the pins and shackles to hold them together. When I broke mine apart to rebuild them I had to remove the cross bolt and put a 3/8" all thread between the shackles with a nut on each end. Then thread the nuts out until they forced the shackle off the tapered shaft. They're really a good system if in good shape.
Surprises me that your stock spring setup sets as low as it does though? Mine sat up way too high in the rear when I bought it, and I had to rebuild mine to get it lower. Dropped my rear about 5"-6" and replaced the control arm front with a I beam axle.

 

Depends on your intentions and your wallet.

Me? I'd build it Mid 60's era. Double threat, Street/Strip terror equally at home on Van Nuys Blvd or running at the Darg Strip; full fendered- possibly with an all steel flip front. Competition orange with original Cragar S/S wheels (15 x 4, 15 x 10). Chrome pipe 'push' rear bumper.
Keep the 57 Olds rear end, Muncie and scatter shield. Build out a period correct 327-camel hump 202's, dual quad, Edelbrock script/finned valve covers, hot cam and ignition, chrome fenderwell headers. All the good shit.

If you keep it for primarily strip use, just clean up the interior. If you'll be streeting it a lot, you might consider moving the roll bar against the A post so you're not looking through it and a side mod to make door access easier.
In keeping with the 60's vibe, I'd go stock dash with S/W greenline gauges and a cup mounted tach.
For a triple threat street/strip/show version, I'd do the interior in black, 1" pleats (Tony Nancy/Martinez style) and black loop pile carpet. Keep the home brewed shifter and add a period drag inspired go pedal. Then, mucho chrome; window garnish moldings, front axle and springs, etc.

 

...what is the primered car beside your coupe in this photo?

...here's a pic of my old 37 ...

 

Almost forgot! If you don't mind paying shipping, Joe DiOrio's Old Car Parts will likely have a dash they'll sell. They're here in Portland, Or.

http://www.oldcarpartsor.com/

 

That’s the PO’s other 38 Sedan in his garage.

 

Congratulations on the great find, especially with the cache of period correct speed parts and wheels

 

I did get the car completely stripped of anything that will get damaged sitting outside because I need to make room in my shop for it. Don’t worry, up here in Flagstaff at 7000 ft it’s still Arid-Zona so nothing bad is going to happen to it. Rust?! No such thing here, we just get that wonderful, hard to fake, patina! Got the Muncie out, according to the numbers, it really is out of a 65 Corvette! Lol! While it was on jack stands I spun the differential, 4.56:1 gears with an open 3rd member.


Nice Hurst shifter too!

 

I can’t find a place with a picture, though I remember seeing one somewhere. Looks like Superior Glass Works has them, at least in their catalog.



“Smooth” had no gauge panel or glove box holes. Would make it easier to fit any selection of gauges you may want. The stock insert hole doesn’t leave a lot of room to work with.

A few years back, I found an eBay seller listing ‘37 sedan body cut pieces for sale. I contacted them, and purchased a cowl section. Included about 2” of A pillar down to about 12” of cowl, from the front of the cowl vent. I wanted it for the dash, and that was what he was willing to cut and ship.

My intent was (is?) to use it to repair the cut out centre of my dash. No idea when or if I’ll ever get to that. At this point, I’d probably be willing to sell the whole cowl section if you want it.




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Superior Glass Works burned down a couple years ago. They lost all their molds for fiberglass parts, and no longer produce or offer them. They are only a chassis shop now. Sad as they were local, and one of the best resources for old Chevy fiberglass parts.

 

Nice score !!! I just sold a 38 street gasser 3 months ago. Owned it 3 years ago and traded it off on a 55 Chev. Bought it back last January and a friend bought it from me.
I've got some alloy caps that you asked me about. I'm going to PM you about them
5 or 6 years ago I had a really solid 37 but it was a stocker and I sold it. Should have gassed it anyway.

 

Oh. Well, that sucks. Probably explains why I can’t find them now.


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The car didn’t have front brakes when it was raced so the PO bought a Super Bell disk brake kit for it, anybody have any experience with these kits?

It has new hubs and rotors and uses GM calipers from early 70’s Chevelles I believe.

 

Check out the really cool fender well exit headers...
They have Hooker collectors, so maybe they were a U-Build It header kit?

 

I believe the Super Bell disc brake kits require the front wheels to be drilled and tapped for the rotors to be bolted to the wheels? Have had an Airheart kit years ago and that's what it needed. Haave you opened them up yet to see if there's instructions in the boxes?

 

Silver Jimmy, I PM'ed you regarding center cap for your wheels.

 

Finally got the engine unloaded and on a stand, 327 that is .060 over with a balanced rotating assembly. The pistons I think are 12.5:1, looks like the rods are worked and the crank is forged. The engine used to have a set of Mondello prepped heads but the PO remembered he had sold them about 20 years ago..... it would have been really cool to have those!


The pistons look serious and the bores are bright and shiny. This short block was in a plastic bag since 1973!

 

The car originally ran this intake, a Weiand WCV283 with dual Carter AFB’s. It was ported old school, somebody cut the port dividers out of the intake. Must have been the “Hot Setup” back in the day!


I have a buddy who is a magician with a TIG Welder and I’m thinking I want to try to replace the port divider walls and use this intake like the car was run back then. Good idea, bad idea, don’t waste my time, or that would be cool?! What do you guys think?

 

Here is the new tunnel ram that the PO was going to run on the rebuilt engine....
MORE POWER!

These are the AFB’s from the original intake and the velocity stacks were also on the car then. Tunnel ram has never been run!

 

Did get these, real glad they didn’t go with the heads!

 

Daul quad tunnel ram with 12.5:1 compression SBC.
That should get the job done.

 

Edelbrock B10 sbc blower intakes were made without the runner dividers but not sure of benefits of not. By the way it's great that the carb adapters are still there. I find them usually missing on ebay or swap meet finds.
I also sent you a conversation

 

Here’s the rest of the stuff I got.....


Never used Corvette oil pan with a windage tray and bolts! Did I mention how much I love speed parts!!!

 

Here is the cam in the 327... And here is the cam card and the solid lifters!

 

I'm jealous

 

They remove the divider to get an equal signal in the plenum from across all 8 cylinders, with divider you are limited to the cylinder that part of the intake feeds, I wouldn't put it back.
Offenhauser 360's are known for it and benefit from an open carb spacer to get the carb up above the divider.

 

Those are TRW pistons. Had a set in my '55 Chevy, but a smaller version since it was a well built 283 in mine.

 

I don’t think I was clear in my description of what was done. The divider I’m talking about isn’t in the plenum, I’m talking about the wall that divides the intake runners right before the ports in the heads. I hope this is easier to see.

 

Never see the runners opened up like that before?