Awhile back I did a few posting asking for info (history) on a 51 chevy gasser my dad had bought. After some research, he tracked down the son of the builder. We found out that all the suspension work was done at M&S welding in Southern Cal (they did funny car and other race stuff). Also found out that between the early 60's and late 60's when it was put away in the garage. The 301 sbc (which the son still have in the garage) ran a number of intake variations over the years as the car jumped classes and got faster, from Cross Ram, to Hilborn to blower.. (we are hoping to get some pic of those versions). Oh and he found the replacement Airheart rear brakes he was looking for (fronts were still installed) and just bought a 4:88 posi for the 57 olds rear dad has blown the car completely apart for a redo and here is what it looks like today.. with the frame and rear powder coated and all the susp fresh from the plater (all the susp was chromed by the builder back in the late 50's/ early 60's As bought today I will post more pictures as progress occurs.
Ken....when I was about 13-14, I was with a buddy, visiting his family's friends/relatives in Portland, Oregon. That's be in 61-62 or so. We were walking around the neighborhood looking for hotrods when we stumbled across an open garage door with a couple guys tuning the engine on a 51-52 chevy hardtop in black primer with cut-out wheelwells exactly like that car. We went in to look and the car had a chrysler hemi in it. I don't remember anymore but it looked just like that car..
I think you can call it a gasser without any negative feedback. It's a beauty - I'd lay in the mud to get a good look underneath when it's done.
WOW is right! I love that detailed work & I also like the way the way the rear quarters were done in the right proportion to the tire size. GREAT looking car!
I love these cars!! I have watched these chevys since the 60's and always thought they were the best. I have had many racecars and hotrods over the years and always wanted to build a 51 gasser. So..... Here I am, I purchased a clean body and will start to take it apart and build a cool gasser. If anyone has any ideas or parts let me know. Craig
Keep up the good work. That is one bitchin hardtop. Is it going to be hot rod black or shiny when done?
Since this was brought back up.. I will give an update. The car has been in the body shop for a few months getting a nice deep red paint job. More chroming in the interior moldings and a repolishing of all the exterior stainless. My Dad hopes to have paint completed by end of year... Once paint is done, its off to the interior shop trying to talk him into a chrome roll bar but not sure if he willing to.
gearhd69. the front susp is chrome plated as are the rear trailing arms. When the car was built back in the early days (late 50's) it was a showcar (hence all the chrome that was on it (all the front susp, alot of the rear, rad support and other stuff). then it got turned into a race car in around 62 or 63. Over the years it always has a sbc (301 cu inch) starting with a crossram, then to injection and finally blown we were told. My dad is trying to keep it close to what it might have looked like. the hood still has the holes in it for the crossram that get feed free air thru the scoop (original owner installed). We found an old crossram to install one day once the car gets dialed in. The current motor has a few more inches then the 301 (which the owner son still has but does not want to get rid of.
there was 14's on the car.. had 15's at one time but the prev owner wanted to keep them and threw on the 14s. it now has 15's
Well another milestone has been reached on the build. All the chrome and stainless has been completed and are sitting in the garage. The car just got back from the painter and new glass and rubber is going in. Thought I would share some pictures of the paint Next step is putting the good wheels back on, installing the motor and doing the interior.
looks great. good color. what are those taillights from they look familiar. i like how it makes the ass real clean lookin'
those are early corvette tail lights. they have been on the car since the late 50's when it was originally a mild custom show car
theres nothing wrong with masterbating to an old chevy gasser! theres nothing wro...................................................................