Projects 1956 Pontiac "old injun" gasser project

I figured I'd start a thread on the build up of our new project. We picked this Pontiac up of a buddy of ours back in august. Drove it the rest of the season and started tearing it apart once the weather turned cold.




Hanging out next to my other race car "the Gizzle hopper"



Anybody should be able to recognize this guy we saw at Pontiac nats in august.


And now the fun began a few weeks ago. Pulled in the shop and got the motor and trans pulled out.


Then proceeded to cut the front suspension out in prep for a new straight axle kit.


Axle mocked up in place


And fully welded sitting at about ride height.


Set the motor and trans back in.


Started building headers on Monday of this week.




Ended up with these last night. Getting ready to go out in the garage to start the driver side after dinner.


All comments and suggestions appreciated. Been watching some threads of Pontiacs on here. With the help of bill-55chieftan and the thread of another 56 were to the point we are now. If the cars done in time we'll probably take it to BG Hotrod reunion and we'll make sure the cars done for meltdown! Also planning on dragweek again this year with this instead of my truck.


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nice! headers look great! keep up the good work!

 

You putting a slip joint in that back header tube and splitting the flange so you can take it out I hope.

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I'm torn. I say this after cutting my 56 up. I would have had a hard time doing anything to that car. I've loved that car since it turned up here years ago.

On the other hand, that you want to make it more competitive, well, damn, can't complain about that. I just hope you make it more competitive without messing with it any more than you have to.

It's your car though.

P.S. nice work on the headers.

 

Looks like a mixture of engine parts. You using a hydro, side mounts then?

 

Very cool. Are you camping with us this year?

 

I went into it as building a race car and maybe putting an axle under it. I was looking at prices of front suspension rebuilds vs a straight axle and this was almost half. Plus the coolness factor doubled I feel. The way I look at it is, this is what the car would have been had it been a very competitive car in the 60s.


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The motor is a 59' 389 and yes there was a hydro in the car. We're switching over to a 4 speed. The bell housing im using has side mounts.


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Not sure yet. Depends on what all we take down. May take this and the dragster so we may end up in the pits again.


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Got about half the passenger side header tacked up tonight.










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Man this car is going to be too cool.
A cool dragster, a cool straight axle car, and a cool truck. All that definitely qualifies you for another “You Suck” award.
Just kidding couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

 

I'll except another "you suck" award lol thanks man! Enloe how far are you from Bristol? And or darlington


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197 miles from Bristol and 429 from Darlington.

 

Check out my thread this Sunday as we will be at a big swap meet in Nashville. I will be posting pics

 

Close enough to "be sick" for a day of work in September? We'll be taking this to dragweek. Come out and hang out.


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Oh man! As a guy who's had 11, 55-57 Pontiacs I love it! Planning to use a 57 rear axle? My last 56 I used a '60, 389 with forged internals and a lumpy cam with the original 4 speed hydro. Keep posting.

 

Bristol sounds good to me

 

i am surprised that people on here haven't cried out load about you building such a heavy car, like they did to that young man who wanted to build that '51 desoto coupe gasser.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/building-a-gasser-51-desoto-coupe.1080835/

 

Thanks! 57 rear housing with 60olds axles cut to fit.


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Well talk more as it comes closer. We may not be in town very long but maybe a lunch or dinner stop depending on the route they put us on.


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Is Bristol one of the stops

 

Yes.


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Great car!! Love them Ponchos!!!!!!!!!!!

 

looking good! when are you going to cut the rear fenders, to fit the slicks?

 

I MAY FEEL SICK THAT DAY (COUGH COUGH)

 

I'm not. I can't work up the courage to. Lol


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I HAVE A SAWZALL I COULD BRING WITH ME TO BOWLING GREEN

 

I fit a 9 inch tire under mine with a wider 69 Pontiac rear under it. Rolling the lip and proper offset you should be able to get 10 inches under there without cutting.

Mine will only be run on occasion though. It might be a PITA running a season. No way they go under without dropping the rear of the springs. I imagine you are somewhat experienced with this already though.

 

My rear end width is very close to yours. I think I'm going to run a drag radial all the time. This car will still see a lot of street use.


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