History Who When was the first SBChev powered HotRod?

I'm trying to improve my constipation understanding...

 

Finally, some photographic evidence!

Remember, without pictures, it didn't happen.

 

Well if you can't open a magazine and look that's not my fault. I mean hell if you have issue and page number all you got to do is let your fingers do the walking.

 

Not entirely the same topic, but pretty close let related. When I look at old magazines I see a lot of flatties and SBC, some olds and caddies, and a fair amount of nailheads, but I don't see Y-blocks all that often in early cars. Hell I've seen more studebaker engines in the little pages than Y-blocks. Why didn't the Y-block catch on like the SBC?

 

Curiously, today I am looking at Hemming Classic Cars August 2016 - article on tri 5s.

I haven't looked in decades, but I'm betting my back-pocket sized R&C, CC, have long ago become mouse bedding.

 

I started off wondering the same thing but then figured it out in my own mind. Probably because of its size and difficulty of installing in early Fords. Remember that there was only a short time that the Yblock was out before the Chevy motor came into play. Early Chevy engines had front mounts (no side mounts) that are in close proximity to the flatty mounts. You could actually cut the Flathead mount, drill a new hole in it an it would fit the Chevy engine.
That, plus physical size of the Chevy, and the performance of the Chevy and hop up parts, most likely left the Yblock in the dust.
Thats my general take. Normally that would be discussion for a new thread but since this one made 2 lefts, and a U turn, what the hell.

 

Go back and read post #20. It would be what is posted in the bold print.

You won't have to find pocket books to confirm my statement.

Weight may have also played a part in it and then there was marketing. GM marketed the hell out of the small block and part of their marketing strategy or so I have read was to reach a younger market.

 

I believe i read that the 265 was developed size wise to replace the side valve Ford. If this is as true as I understand it im sure the Chevrolet tech team would have tried one in an early Ford, that making it the first. OR am I just wrong? JW

 

Makes sense to me but why isn't it pronounced Ha-lop-e?

 

I agree with 26 T Ford RPU, based upon the Duntov letter and how well a small block chevy fits in an early Ford, wouldn't surprise me if GM themselves didn't do this swap themselves at engineering.

 

Dunno. Same reason as why some say Hay-zoos and some say Jesus?

I mean, look how them Californians pronounce "Los Angeles"

 

Don't forget these guys.

Gary

 

Yup. You also mentioned it in this post:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...t-graduated-hs-and.543334/page-3#post-6514207

Guinn's 33 coupe was featured in the R&C December 1955 issue.

I do not have a copy of it.

I'm simply looking for earliest published articles about somebody dropping a SBC into their ride. It'd be interesting to me, and I should think - others.
(shrugs)

 

I agree with both of you and I believe the answer is General Motors themselves.

 

I'm on board.
Hope we can keep the subject matter on track, this kind of history is at the core of what the HAMB and hot rodding is all about.

 

Yes! All the years I was growing up, all the way into my 30s, I never gave 2 shits about the history of this thing. I didn't realize that there was a beginning, a peak ( the era I grew up in), and an ending. At some point, We all will just be echoes, and now I'm of an age that some points in time really matter.

 

Here's Guinn's car again, this time in Hot Rod, January 1956.

They decided to name it the CHEVORD"

 

Its great that we have 17 yr olds that have never even owned a modified car here to keep us straight on this stuff...I actually deleted my "history" post...let the BS roll on...

 

OK, gleaned the details from both the R&C and HRM articles. There's one glaring difference - one mag reports the adaptor as Hildebrandt, the other says its Moon Equipment.

Another thing of note: That this car was reported as being at Bonneville in August 1955, and it already had an Edelbrock triple 97 intake. Those speed boys were ready!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Coupe is bright yellow
Top chopped 5 inches.
Von Dutch striping
Yellow/White leatherette interior by J & L Top Shop

Stewart Warner vacuum, oil, temp, ammeter gauges
Sun tach

41 hydaulic brakes
41 rear axle
39 Lincoln transmission
33 driveshaft and torque tube with machining to adapt it
3" dropped and filled front axle
6.40/8.20 x 15 front/rear tires

====================================================
R&C
"An adaptor plate from Moon Automtive fits between the Chevy block and
the Ford gearcase and a Borg-Warner clutch for Ford trucks will bolt to
the GM flywheel to complete the coupling."


HRM
"Chev coupling to Ford gearbox was made with Hildebrandt adaptor"
====================================================

ENGINE
Original 165 HP, stick shift, solid lifter
Edelbrock triple intake w/3 Stromberg 97s is only change from stock
Engine mounts fall right over crossmember

R&C
"Two chunks of pipe several inches in length are welded in an upright
position to the front cross member, topped with disks of .125" plate
to support the Chevy engine mount pads."

The electrical system is partially 12 volt for starting and the rest
is normal 6 volt.

 

This is a post from Russ Aves himself !!!
" I am going to bring up an old subject that might be dated. My name is Russ Aves and some history of my 1932 three window coupe. Back in late 1951, I was 15 at the time and a pretty good mechanic i bought this 32 Ford for $75.00 off of a used car lot in West LA. Stock 21 stud / the works. My drivers license came not soon enough in January after an early Equipment ticket . Starting a bunch of early engine and Chassis modifications in my 2 periods a day in High School Auto Shop I Headed off to the Saugas Drag Strip. I learned not to give any cushion to a 37 Buick Century Coupe. Well let me jump ahead to my Purchase of one of the first Chevy 265 to end up in a Competition Hot Rod. After High School I got a Good job at a Chevrolet Dealer Ship. After about a year in late 1954 the new 1955 Chevy V8 was released. After fixing many new car warranty problems, Rocker arm and rear main seals I had to have one. Still in 1954 I tried ordering a complete Motor . ( was not available ) Next I ordered a short block. At $112.00 . Heads at $12.00 each Valves and springs extra. the Pan about $6.00. Next I needed A bell housing Adapter to a 39 Ford Trans. I had got to know Tony Capanna with WILCAP I gave them the Engine for pattern work and bingo A bell housing adapter. I checked with Jack Engle for cam work but he was busy with Oldsmobile work. Off to Ed Eskenderian, he and Sig Erson Fixed me up with an E2. Next over to Frank McGurk for some Head and manifold milling. Vic Edelbrock was later with a 3/2 setup. I wasn't on the road by January But was very close. Who was first I cant say But I am willing to shear .
Russ Aves PS I am now back to a Z block Flat Head, could not be happier"

 

Please don't go George-8yrs-old here, and delete valuable stuff!

You make some good points, and I like the stuff you bring to the table!

And my 2 cents worth, a 55 with a bigger engine, is either a Gasser or HotRod-thinking-applied, but not a hot rod rod, cool as hell and one of the few 50s cars I'd love to own, after mid-50s I'm more of a truck guy.
And trucks can be Rodded up too, and still not become a Hot Rod. But I must confess a 48-55 Chevy AD lowered and with a 4 speed car rear end can be a whole lot of fun, but never a Hot Rod!!

 

Great discussion! It appears a SBC showed up in a hot rod very shortly after they became a reality.

It's also interesting to see everyone's opinion of what a hot rod really is. For me it's one of those things I have to see to determine if it's a hot rod in my mind. I'm sure this is true for most of you. For me a hot rod is a car that you have the choice of running fenders or not and of course it has to have performance enhancement. In my mind, nothing else qualifies.

For instance, a 55 Chevy.......you wouldn't run the car without fenders. It's perfectly acceptable for the owner to refer to it as his "hot rod" but it's really not a hot rod.

Damn...........I just thought about a 40 model Ford. No way I'd run one without fenders but it might be a hot rod. Let me think about this, I'll have to get back with y'all.

 

I think that the beginning and end of the era doesn't make as much difference if it was not an era to you.

I don't recall anyone ever saying, "Someday this chit is going to be historic or traditional." it was just a bunch of people doing what they do best, having a good time.

I saw a pic of myself holding a beer in front of a very fast car a couple of years back. I don't remember anyone snapping the pic, and something else I don't recall that is probably more relevant, I don't recall thinking that we were making history.

Hell what we are doing today may very well become historical someday. Chances are that when that happens just like the pic I referenced earlier in this rant, no one will remember who I was. Won't change anything, like then I am not even considering that I am making history today. I am just passing time now as I was then.

 

Historical or Hysterical ?

We can only try to preserve the history of our chosen styles of hot rods and customs,and if we do it correctly and refrain from trying to rewrite our past we might be included when future builders start researching benchmark cars.

I know it sounds ridiculous but there will come a time that 2016 will be ancient history and we will be long gone,hopefully some cars of this era will survive. HRP

 

First one in drag racing was in the Murray and Waters 555 Triple Nickel

 

O K 'beaner, I will ignore the commando claim, but I do hate the guy you endorsed, AND I would like the name of the bonehead who considered a hotrod a hotrod only if it had a split windshield ! ! Now, we can get on with the business at hand. Thank you, thank you very much.

 

Contact Hot Rod Magazine. I am thinking late '60s (I had R&C only until about'65). Even back then I thought it was an ignorant statement. That would pretty much leave out anything but a boat fender wouldn't it. it does make a '60 Willys pickup a hot rod though.

I have considered building my A with a split windshield, 'cause I am a people pleaser.

 

Just remember that this forum does not tolerate DRAMA!! Oh moderator where are you?? Oh you rather delete pictures of pretty woman(sorry)! And anyway I am so over Hot Rods!! I drive a RatRod(avatar) Pete

 

it is all a state of mind and changes with the time and a place:
stock chevette compared to a souped up camaro the camaro could be considered the hot rod.
stock model T compared to a t-bucket.
nascar toyota versus a stock toyota.
if a guy thinks his souped up car is a hot rod.......it is.
there are also other meanings, black smithing, target shooting, porno..........

 

LOL I never thought that mine was hot but it is kind of cute.

I think it is fun we can find the most insignificant things to argue about. Oh I mean have heated discussion it is only arguing of someone is mad or they don't like each other.

I think that for clarification in the post millennial world in which we live an LS powered Civic probably counts as a hot rod. But given the scope of the site even a Coyote Powered Model 40 would not count as a hotrod. Not that I would turn down the chance to build one, I just would not document it on this site, out of respect for @Ryan and the rest of you Yah Hoos.

I personally hope that this post does not get the thread locked. While we have pretty much covered the original question I do enjoy reading and trying to understand other people's point of view. Hell I have even been known to start a heated discussion just to find out what someone else thinks agreeing with them the whole while. Sometimes it backfires on me though, I am not sure that @Carl La Fongfor example, isn't still mad at me, and that is a shame, he is fuckin' smart.