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Driving golden era cars in the modern era

HOP UP

Vendor
Messages
92
Location
"Hollywood", Australia
Option 2 is a good idea, I think. Gives it a little, late 50's, early 60's hot-rodder feel.

My favorite of the SBC's.
1957_283_TurboFire_V8.jpg

Mine too as far as SBC s go...thats what going to replace the wimpy 216 in my 47 Fleetmaster.

Nice !!

HOP UP
 

HOP UP

Vendor
Messages
92
Location
"Hollywood", Australia
Engine will be a 40s factory Battleship Blue/Grey and all wiring is cloth covered new as per original.

All parts are early SBC.

The look will be one of a late 50s retrofit by a savvy gearhead yet retain all of the original looks on the outside/interior as you see in the pix. Bonus will be the stuff you can't see; disc brakes,. stock column shifted auto trans and a 57 chevy rear end that Ive rebuilt as well.
 

David Conwill

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,854
Location
Bennington, VT 05201
The top-of-the-line Chevrolets from '46 to '48 are some great looking cars, and you certainly seem to be doing yours justice, HOP UP. Great work!

Incidentally, I wonder if everyone here has a favorite year or period they like best (for automobiles), and why? I think mine is '46 to '54, with an emphasis on '53 and '54. I love the blending of pre- post-war technology and styling, and the feeling of optimism those cars exude. It seems to me that in '53 and '54 there wasn't a US car being made I wouldn't want to buy.

-Dave
 

David Conwill

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,854
Location
Bennington, VT 05201
My grandfather's first car was a '38 Chevrolet (albeit a coupe). I've always wanted one, although I'd probably be more inclined to swap the 216 for a 235 just for the ease of doing it. Not sure if anybody's figured out a good way to slip an overdrive into the torque-tube driveline yet, but that would be a great addition too. Oh, and disc brakes. Can't add power without adding stopping power.

-Dave
 

HOP UP

Vendor
Messages
92
Location
"Hollywood", Australia
Thanx for the positive comments guys....while I have restored/rebuilt a few cars including my blown flathead powered 32 Ford 3W coupe in my Avatar, I cannot claim to have done the work on this peach. The credit for this beautiful car must go to a certain Mr. Lopez whom I purchased this car from the Nor Cal / Bay Area at Christmas.

Me?

Well lets just say that I am the keeper of the keys, as most car guys realise, that all we pretty much are.

All Im gonna do on this ride is make her more efficient, safer and more enjoyable to drive with ore usable HP/TQ, better economy etc.Ive thought about dropping in a 235 but then it still wont be original and Ill still be stuck with the torque tube/4.11 gears. Even if I removed the 4.11s and installed 3.5's, the 235 wont have the TQ down low to really move the car with the numerically lower gear.....so the nice traditional 283 it will be.

I also LOVE 39-40-41 Dodge, Plymouth cars and the Chrysler from the 46-48 period as well. Beautiful end of Deco era cars always have my attention and this one will have mine for some time to come.

Wish me luck fellas !!

HOP UP
 

Talbot

One Too Many
Messages
1,855
Location
Melbourne Australia
Thanx for the positive comments guys....while I have restored/rebuilt a few cars including my blown flathead powered 32 Ford 3W coupe in my Avatar, I cannot claim to have done the work on this peach. The credit for this beautiful car must go to a certain Mr. Lopez whom I purchased this car from the Nor Cal / Bay Area at Christmas.

Me?

Well lets just say that I am the keeper of the keys, as most car guys realise, that all we pretty much are.

All Im gonna do on this ride is make her more efficient, safer and more enjoyable to drive with ore usable HP/TQ, better economy etc.Ive thought about dropping in a 235 but then it still wont be original and Ill still be stuck with the torque tube/4.11 gears. Even if I removed the 4.11s and installed 3.5's, the 235 wont have the TQ down low to really move the car with the numerically lower gear.....so the nice traditional 283 it will be.

I also LOVE 39-40-41 Dodge, Plymouth cars and the Chrysler from the 46-48 period as well. Beautiful end of Deco era cars always have my attention and this one will have mine for some time to come.

Wish me luck fellas !!

HOP UP

Good call 'Hop. The 235 on torque tube will keep up with Melbourne traffic, but you have to keep on showing that stovebolt who's the boss.

A small block will be more condusive to effortless motoring.

Nice bombita. Are you going to run (grimace and swallow hard)...an alternator?
 
Last edited:

1930artdeco

Practically Family
Messages
672
Location
oakland
Dave,

Mitchell O/D in Calusa Ca. makes O/D's for Model A,B's and V-8 Fords. I don't see why his stuff can't be adapted to a Chevy. Still, won't keep up with a Ford though....:D
 

Gregg Axley

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,125
Location
Tennessee
Hopefully with the long weekend, I'll get mine out and drive it a bit. Early morning of course, because it's supposed to be 98 all weekend. Lovely...with a "bad air quality alert." Funny, we've gone this long without being aware of them.....
 

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