It's About Liberty: A Conservative Forum

Topics => Hobbies & Crafts => Topic started by: Pandora on April 21, 2012, 05:36:57 PM

Title: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on April 21, 2012, 05:36:57 PM
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/DadCar.jpg)

We are finally on the home-stretch with this car.  It's only been fourteen years;   ::falldownshocked::   we stopped working on it right after we got it re-painted in 1998 to build its garage, and it's been dealt with in fits and starts since then.

Gunsmith replaced the front bench seat with buckets and he's in the process of building a console in between them.  As soon as he's finished, we will drive it to the upholster -- found a good one at last; his work is gorgeous -- for the headliner, seat-coverings, door panels and covering the console.

We need to take new photos for the insurance company and when we do, I'll post some here.

Oh, the old fella is my DAD, last October.  ::kissface::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delran - restoring and customizing
Post by: IronDioPriest on April 21, 2012, 06:04:36 PM
That there is a heartwarming picture in more ways than one.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: charlesoakwood on April 21, 2012, 07:03:19 PM

Sweet.

Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: AmericanPatriot on April 21, 2012, 08:18:01 PM
My first car was a 57 chevy.

Wish I had it now

Sold it for....

 ::saywhat::

$25
 ::bashing::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Gunsmith on April 21, 2012, 08:52:04 PM
Here are some more pretty recent pictures within the last couple of months.

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300600.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300545.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300587.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300584.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300606.jpg)

New tinted glass ^^


More pictures after the console and interior finish.

::snoopydance::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Alphabet Soup on April 21, 2012, 09:34:52 PM
Dayum, that is a nice looking ride!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on April 21, 2012, 10:30:20 PM
Dayum, that is a nice looking ride!

Aw thanks, Soup. 

See that steering column?  New, stainless steel; tilt wheel, for the short-shot that is yours truly so I can hike that seat up far enough to reach the pedals without a wheel-in-the ribs.

He's going to rebuild the used 700 R4 tranny while the interior's being done.  350 stock engine; Edelbrock intake and carb; MSD ignition system; power steering and disc brakes; Sirius XM radio/CD player and AC -- because this is, after all, North C'lina.

We painted the exterior in classic blue/white colors, so the rug is a perfect blue-match, with aluminum door-strips.

And, NO COMPUTER CHIPS.

I am so psyched.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: trapeze on April 21, 2012, 11:06:52 PM
Very nice. Any idea how many hours are in that restoration?
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: IronDioPriest on April 22, 2012, 12:06:26 AM
Your wooded lot looks beautiful too.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on April 22, 2012, 12:29:06 AM
 ::bustamove::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on April 22, 2012, 10:09:53 AM
Very nice. Any idea how many hours are in that restoration?

Thank you.  Nope, no idea, other than "many".
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on April 22, 2012, 12:56:08 PM
"And, NO COMPUTER CHIPS."   ::whoohoo::

Looks sweet!   ::thumbsup::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on April 23, 2012, 05:47:14 PM
Love it, Soup.

What year is that baby?
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: charlesoakwood on April 23, 2012, 06:03:13 PM

We had a '39 - no fuel pump and no oil pump.

And that is a beaut Soup.


Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on April 24, 2012, 07:14:09 AM
I feel like such a tard, I should have hung onto my 1976 Laguna 442...403ci...what a beast!

Looked like this -

(http://image.popularhotrodding.com/f/hard-driving/1976-olds-442/10707787/ad-for-the-olds-442-in-the-june-1976-issue-of-phr.jpg)

 :'(

Hell, I even miss my first car - 1973 Dodge Duster 318ci, light in the ass but she ran quick.  Mine was blue.  See one in Big Bear for sale -

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fBREP1oFhfA/T0vWIM0Mu1I/AAAAAAAABlo/NhetSeHWlKU/w426-h240-k/2012-02-26_18-02-00_722.jpeg)
https://plus.google.com/photos/104740190023898241224/albums/5352495385659377281?authkey=CMmJ7P6ZqPnGEA&banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/104740190023898241224/albums/5352495385659377281 (https://plus.google.com/photos/104740190023898241224/albums/5352495385659377281?authkey=CMmJ7P6ZqPnGEA&banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/104740190023898241224/albums/5352495385659377281)

 :'(

Why?!  Why didn't I hang onto these?!   :'(  :'(
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on April 24, 2012, 10:25:08 AM
I didn't hang onto my '71 Gran Torino.

(http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4880320328827323&id=29d416f2d03bbd69428d882307310a87&url=http%3a%2f%2ffc03.deviantart.net%2ffs71%2fi%2f2011%2f029%2f7%2fd%2fford_gran_torino_1971_4_by_cmdpirxii-d38bkfl.jpg)

Loved that car.

I got tired of having to beg Dad to work on whatever broke, and he'd have killed me if I took it to anyone/where else.   (Dad and I were not always on the best of terms.)  So, I parked it and bought a "leftover" Escort.

The Torino's steering was always loose; the thing "traveled".  Dad checked it several times and assured me everything "was fine".  It wasn't until years later, after I'd sold it,  he told me he'd discovered the manual had erroneous specs in it for the proper "degree" setting.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: ToddF on April 25, 2012, 07:22:52 AM
I harbor no such fond memories of my first car.

(http://images.carpictures.cc/photo/m/Oldsmobile_88_00001901.jpg)

Mary Jo Kopechne harbors even fewer...
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: AlanS on April 25, 2012, 06:10:52 PM
Very cool rides, guys and gal. Pan, the 55 is definitely a jewel. ::cool::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on April 25, 2012, 06:24:42 PM
Very cool rides, guys and gal. Pan, the 55 is definitely a jewel. ::cool::

Thanks, Alan.  Very happy to being closer to driving it.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 06, 2012, 11:13:26 PM
Very cool rides, guys and gal. Pan, the 55 is definitely a jewel. ::cool::

Thanks, Alan.  Very happy to being closer to driving it.

As you know, I have been swimming against the tide of fixing things up:
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on May 06, 2012, 11:23:17 PM
Very cool rides, guys and gal. Pan, the 55 is definitely a jewel. ::cool::

Thanks, Alan.  Very happy to being closer to driving it.

As you know, I have been swimming against the tide of fixing things up:


Swimming?  More like diving!

Ladies and gentlemen, our friend EW just recently took a bad dump on his crotchrocket and if it wasn't for his riding gear -- jacket, helmet, gloves -- and whatever roll-bar type things one puts on bikes to save one's pieces, he'd still be in the hospital.  Or worse.

And ya know what he's really whining about?  His jeans.  They in the ER cut off his best-fitting jeans.

God love ya, EW.   ::kissface::

Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 07, 2012, 06:49:42 AM
Heh, let go my jeans!

Never had a bad spill on a scooter (thank God), glad you were geared-up and spared EW!   ::thumbsup::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 07, 2012, 08:43:42 AM
Very cool rides, guys and gal. Pan, the 55 is definitely a jewel. ::cool::

Thanks, Alan.  Very happy to being closer to driving it.

As you know, I have been swimming against the tide of fixing things up:


Swimming?  More like diving!

Ladies and gentlemen, our friend EW just recently took a bad dump on his crotchrocket and if it wasn't for his riding gear -- jacket, helmet, gloves -- and whatever roll-bar type things one puts on bikes to save one's pieces, he'd still be in the hospital.  Or worse.

And ya know what he's really whining about?  His jeans.  They in the ER cut off his best-fitting jeans.

God love ya, EW.   ::kissface::

 ::oldman::

Dja' know how HARD it is to find good fitting jeans?!?!  The moral of the story is, "Watch where the hell you're going!"  (At least I was trying to classify road debris rather than classifying young female anatomy...for some reason I feel better about that even though the end result was the same.)

The "tip over" bars are really for those days when I am awkward, and have to let the bike fall over (prior abdominal surgery makes it possible I could spill my guts wrestling with an awkward bike).  They aren't SUPPOSED to be "crash bars," but bygdawg makes 'em good!  Even so, they are supposed to stick out straight:

Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 07, 2012, 08:49:16 AM
Heh, let go my jeans!

Never had a bad spill on a scooter (thank God), glad you were geared-up and spared EW!   ::thumbsup::

Thanks! but if you are going to be old and bold, there's a saying: "ATGATT!"

No matter how good a rider you are, eventually you will go down, so it pays to be ready...not only with the gear, but mentally as well.  You can reduce your chances of injury or the severity of your injuries by study and practice; just as you would improve your marksmanship or golf.

I like to think that as I've gotten older, only my golf has gotten worse.

Of course, we all like to believe in fairy tales...
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: IronDioPriest on May 07, 2012, 10:15:17 AM
I had a Honda 250 Enduro I bought when I was 16. When I was 18 I was cocking-off and wiped out real good. No helmet, shorts and T-shirt. I was skun-up awful, and the bumps and bruises on elbows, knees, head, butt, hips, etc, took me out of commission for a few weeks. I was very lucky.

I tried to get back on the horse for a while, but I never really did. I'd look down and see the pavement rushing by and remember the feeling of my body tumbling uncontrollably head-over-heels like a rag-doll for what seemed like forever, the feeling of my head smashing the ground, the feeling of the bike smashing me as we both rolled together for a while...

Apparently one bad spill was enough. I rode a few more times that year, but only half-heartedly. I realized one day the following year that the whole summer had passed and I hadn't ridden once. I kept it around for a few years thinking that someday I'd ride it again, but I never did so I let it go.

Even though I look at bikes and think how fun and economical it would be to have one, that memory has kept me from it, and I suspect it always will.

My boy just rear-ended one a couple weeks ago. Lucky no one was seriously hurt, but hes about to understand what I was talking about leading up to him getting his license when I'd harp about "high-risk" premiums.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 07, 2012, 11:27:19 AM
"Worse" one for me was years ago up at the lake...gave little sis a ride on the back of the Yamaha 250 trail bike...going down a really sandy hill she starts making funny noises and begins to yank on me as she is falling off...she did a boo boo and grab hard on my throttle arm.  Needless to say I joined her in the dirt with a hot bike on my leg.  Good thing I was wearing long pants and got up quick.  The concept of holding my middle no matter what was drilled into her after that.  (She still hates it when I bring it up).

 ;D

But I have had enough near-misses on the road to last me quite awhile...if not for quick reactions I might have eaten a car or truck or two...I have no desire to see how well my jacket, chaps & helemt can hold up!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 07, 2012, 11:28:18 AM
My boy just rear-ended one a couple weeks ago. Lucky no one was seriously hurt, but hes about to understand what I was talking about leading up to him getting his license when I'd harp about "high-risk" premiums.

Ouch, yes, he is.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 07, 2012, 11:40:04 AM
"Worse" one for me was years ago up at the lake...gave little sis a ride on the back of the Yamaha 250 trail bike...going down a really sandy hill she starts making funny noises and begins to yank on me as she is falling off...she did a boo boo and grab hard on my throttle arm.  Needless to say I joined her in the dirt with a hot bike on my leg.  Good thing I was wearing long pants and got up quick.  The concept of holding my middle no matter what was drilled into her after that.  (She still hates it when I bring it up).

 ;D

But I have had enough near-misses on the road to last me quite awhile...if not for quick reactions I might have eaten a car or truck or two...I have no desire to see how well my jacket, chaps & helemt can hold up!

Being a second seater is an artform in and of itself, and few people are really good at it.  (Including me.)

As for the jacket, chaps, and helmet...the idea is NOT for them to hold up...but to be gracefully destroyed so that you don't have to be.

I was behind a young gal southbound in Virginia last year when she fell asleep on her way back to nursing school.  Her new Beetle rolled three times, including once lengthwise before coming to rest on the shoulder right side up.  She had a tiny cut on her left small finger, and she was pretty shaken up and confused.  She was also going to have a pair of black eyes and a lot of tenderness from the airbag and seat belt; but the extent of her injuries, even with the roof partially caved in, was the cut on her little finger.  Her Beetle was totalled, but what a perfect piece of engineering!  From the moment it stopped being an automobile and became a energy absorption barrier to protect her, until the time I opened her door, it did a job that a fairy godmother could be proud of!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 07, 2012, 12:02:51 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 08, 2012, 09:37:59 AM
Oh, one more thing about bikes...is this sad or what?

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/?gclid=CKrVvar08K8CFY0BQAodbVZsZA (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/?gclid=CKrVvar08K8CFY0BQAodbVZsZA)

Zero.   ::)

Yeah, as in zero chance!

 ::facepalm::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 08, 2012, 12:27:54 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 08, 2012, 12:33:05 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.

I hear ya.  Actually all the people driving small specs and such is a good thing...I actually sit up higher (eyeball height) on my bike and I can see over them better!  That "accordian" thing can be nervous, even in car, but especially on a bike, I usually migrate to one side or another preapring to dart aside, but that fool with the lousy brakes could be lurking out for you so keeping an eye on those jokers behind you is important too.  Head on a swivel, its the only way.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 08, 2012, 01:03:52 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.

I hear ya.  Actually all the people driving small specs and such is a good thing...I actually sit up higher (eyeball height) on my bike and I can see over them better!  That "accordian" thing can be nervous, even in car, but especially on a bike, I usually migrate to one side or another preapring to dart aside, but that fool with the lousy brakes could be lurking out for you so keeping an eye on those jokers behind you is important too.  Head on a swivel, its the only way.

Not just head on a swivel...which is supremely important, but I have absolutely no modesty about leaving the "roadway" if I am going to be safer out there.  For example, construction zones that have cones or barrels, but good pavement on the "outside" are an automatic safety zone for me.  That doesn't mean "get out of traffic and fly by where the cars and trucks can't," because not only is that illegal in all 50, and rude, but a bad idea when Darrell & Darrell stuck in traffic in their beater 1970 Dodge pick-em-up catch up with you 40 miles down the road...

What I mean is that I don't just "prepare to dart aside," but I actually get "aside" before I have to worry about it.  (Although obviously I should have worried about it a little more this last time.)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 08, 2012, 01:14:22 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.

I hear ya.  Actually all the people driving small specs and such is a good thing...I actually sit up higher (eyeball height) on my bike and I can see over them better!  That "accordian" thing can be nervous, even in car, but especially on a bike, I usually migrate to one side or another preapring to dart aside, but that fool with the lousy brakes could be lurking out for you so keeping an eye on those jokers behind you is important too.  Head on a swivel, its the only way.

Not just head on a swivel...which is supremely important, but I have absolutely no modesty about leaving the "roadway" if I am going to be safer out there.  For example, construction zones that have cones or barrels, but good pavement on the "outside" are an automatic safety zone for me.  That doesn't mean "get out of traffic and fly by where the cars and trucks can't," because not only is that illegal in all 50, and rude, but a bad idea when Darrell & Darrell stuck in traffic in their beater 1970 Dodge pick-em-up catch up with you 40 miles down the road...

What I mean is that I don't just "prepare to dart aside," but I actually get "aside" before I have to worry about it.  (Although obviously I should have worried about it a little more this last time.)

Yeah, we do what we can when we can.  Only someone who rides a cycle can truely appreciate all of lifes dangers on the road.  We haven't even gotten into the inconsiderate jackasses that throw stuff out the window...so tired of having ciggybutts bounced off my chest or spit-covered sunflower seed shells hitting me in the face!

 ::cussing:: 
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 08, 2012, 01:18:13 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.

I hear ya.  Actually all the people driving small specs and such is a good thing...I actually sit up higher (eyeball height) on my bike and I can see over them better!  That "accordian" thing can be nervous, even in car, but especially on a bike, I usually migrate to one side or another preapring to dart aside, but that fool with the lousy brakes could be lurking out for you so keeping an eye on those jokers behind you is important too.  Head on a swivel, its the only way.

Not just head on a swivel...which is supremely important, but I have absolutely no modesty about leaving the "roadway" if I am going to be safer out there.  For example, construction zones that have cones or barrels, but good pavement on the "outside" are an automatic safety zone for me.  That doesn't mean "get out of traffic and fly by where the cars and trucks can't," because not only is that illegal in all 50, and rude, but a bad idea when Darrell & Darrell stuck in traffic in their beater 1970 Dodge pick-em-up catch up with you 40 miles down the road...

What I mean is that I don't just "prepare to dart aside," but I actually get "aside" before I have to worry about it.  (Although obviously I should have worried about it a little more this last time.)

Yeah, we do what we can when we can.  Only someone who rides a cycle can truely appreciate all of lifes dangers on the road.  We haven't even gotten into the inconsiderate jackasses that throw stuff out the window...so tired of having ciggybutts bounced off my chest or spit-covered sunflower seed shells hitting me in the face!

 ::cussing:: 

 ::rolllaughing::

Yep.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 08, 2012, 09:27:52 PM
  My first car was 1965 Impala SS convertable in Verdoro Green.

http://www.hotrodschoppers.com/65impalassconv.htm (http://www.hotrodschoppers.com/65impalassconv.htm)

  My second car was a 1957 chevy ZL1 motor(427 aluminiun big block with a tilt nose.

http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz191/cherokeehxc/sucp_0811_01_z_classic_1957_chevy_bel_air_side_view.jpg (http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz191/cherokeehxc/sucp_0811_01_z_classic_1957_chevy_bel_air_side_view.jpg)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 08, 2012, 09:32:09 PM
  My next car was 1968 Torino GT fastback bright red with a 427 SOC motor(427 single overhead cam) a real brute but not as fast as my chevy by a long shot.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=1968+torino+gt+fastback+pictures&mid=A3716088BC6D602B1F2AA3716088BC6D602B1F2A&view=detail&FORM=VIRE4 (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=1968+torino+gt+fastback+pictures&mid=A3716088BC6D602B1F2AA3716088BC6D602B1F2A&view=detail&FORM=VIRE4)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 08, 2012, 09:44:03 PM
  The wife drove a 1969 Cobra Mach 1 when I met her and all the way till we had our first child:


1969 Mach 1 Burnout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrUJDIRH1E4#)


   Hers was gold with all the things you see on this car.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 08, 2012, 09:47:01 PM
I love cars all cars.Those cars posted here are great each and every one of them are special and all America!!I wish I had all my cars but who had the money to do that.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 08, 2012, 09:49:46 PM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.

 Scott,glad to see you here,how you feeling?
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on May 08, 2012, 10:22:19 PM
Just so y'all know, we got the car off to the interior guy on Monday evening.  We had to trailer her because we *ahem* are still having slight overheating problems.

Apparently, the radiator, fan and other assorted connected doodads would do 'er better moved to the "six cylinder position" in front of the front wall instead of just behind.  And with a slightly bigger radiator *ahem*.

Gunsmith will do that when we get 'er home, probably early July.

Will post photos as we get 'em from the interior guru.

BTW, in case it isn't clear, it's my job, officially, to convince the man to spend the money necessary for the purpose and the job, and his to get it done.  And mine is harder than it may appear;  "This what we need?  Fine.  Order it up online and I'll enter the credit card number and push the button.  Tell me, my darling, why exactly DO you go to work?"
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 09, 2012, 06:18:45 AM
Two thoughts when riding the bike - 1) Where the hell is everybody (head on swivel is a must, especially in city, but everywhere...I drive a lot of rural roads and there are morons out there too, but spacing & options are better) 2) Escape options - a) Evade or b) Cannot evade, where do I land?  Not a lot of options sometimes.  

Bad idea - Started putting center median cables up on freeways (think agent traps like in Matrix), look like ginsu knives to bikers!  So I either take a chance on left lane and make it through or I go into the right lane where all the crazies are...grandma backing up traffic, semi on your butt...dipsh*t doing the power exit move from the fast lane while his idiot relative is doing the NASA shuttle launch down the on ramp and thinks slamming in behind you and the semi is a good idea as he considers his next move to cut someone off in the fast lane just so he can get to his buddies house five minutes faster so the can game all night and bitch about girls who hate them.

One thing to remember is that traffic (when there is some) tends to "accordian," like beads on an elastic string, alternately stretching and compressing.  It's at its most dangerous for a biker when its compressing, because a bike between two cages stands no chance at all.  Because auto drivers do play "follow the leader" in that fashion, ie, like beads on a elastic string, the best defense for a biker is to get off the string:  that is, move out of the column of traffic.  (In fact, I was working on that but hadn't yet achieved it when I collided with the car ahead of me last month.)  There isn't anything magic about those lines painted on the ground, EXCEPT that a smart rider (or driver, for that matter) can use them to their advantage.  Stop and go traffic?  Move over the fog line to the median, which gets you "off the string" and out of harm's way if the two cars you were between come too close together to leave room for you to fit, or if you are distracted and fail to slow in time to avoid the car in front:  when you are on the median, there isn't a car in front of you.  Same with a stop light:  where should a biker stop?  If there are two lanes of traffic going in your direction, I prefer to stop between the two cars in front of me...and if there isn't enough room to get all the way into that pocket, I'll at least nose in there in case I get hit from behind.  That may not be ideal if I get struck from behind, but being knocked up the gap like a bowling ball down the gutter is better than being squooshed between bumpers.  On a single lane of traffic, you still want to move outside, but your choices are also limited by what is at the light and what is beyond.  If there is a left turn lane, for example, it does no good to move to the outside left into the path of left turning traffic, and so on.

 Scott,glad to see you here,how you feeling?

At this point, better than my bike!  ;)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 09, 2012, 09:23:02 AM
Just so y'all know, we got the car off to the interior guy on Monday evening.  We had to trailer her because we *ahem* are still having slight overheating problems.

Apparently, the radiator, fan and other assorted connected doodads would do 'er better moved to the "six cylinder position" in front of the front wall instead of just behind.  And with a slightly bigger radiator *ahem*.

Gunsmith will do that when we get 'er home, probably early July.

Will post photos as we get 'em from the interior guru.

BTW, in case it isn't clear, it's my job, officially, to convince the man to spend the money necessary for the purpose and the job, and his to get it done.  And mine is harder than it may appear;  "This what we need?  Fine.  Order it up online and I'll enter the credit card number and push the button.  Tell me, my darling, why exactly DO you go to work?"

 If you have the original metal radiator you can probably have it re-cored by a radiator shop to a 4 core set up.As for the fan IIRC without the shroud they're pretty much useless.,but electric fans would do the job better without dragging another belt off the engine and are cheap to find at any salvage yard.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 09, 2012, 01:18:23 PM
  I forgot my 64 Chevelle SS: Pearl white black inside.

(http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I4752807072301260&pid=1.7&w=292&h=154&c=7&rs=1)


(http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=I4804007362692457&pid=1.7&w=293&h=126&c=7&rs=1)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on May 09, 2012, 06:59:44 PM
Just so y'all know, we got the car off to the interior guy on Monday evening.  We had to trailer her because we *ahem* are still having slight overheating problems.

Apparently, the radiator, fan and other assorted connected doodads would do 'er better moved to the "six cylinder position" in front of the front wall instead of just behind.  And with a slightly bigger radiator *ahem*.

Gunsmith will do that when we get 'er home, probably early July.

Will post photos as we get 'em from the interior guru.

BTW, in case it isn't clear, it's my job, officially, to convince the man to spend the money necessary for the purpose and the job, and his to get it done.  And mine is harder than it may appear;  "This what we need?  Fine.  Order it up online and I'll enter the credit card number and push the button.  Tell me, my darling, why exactly DO you go to work?"

 If you have the original metal radiator you can probably have it re-cored by a radiator shop to a 4 core set up.As for the fan IIRC without the shroud they're pretty much useless.,but electric fans would do the job better without dragging another belt off the engine and are cheap to find at any salvage yard.

Nope.  We're going this route:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/SAM_0104_small.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/SAM_0103_small.jpg)

Whole new radiator/dual electric fan/shroud/xmission cooler/AC condenser in brushed stainless, so not so shiny.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: AlanS on May 09, 2012, 07:31:30 PM
I thought you were talking about the blower on top of the motor! THAT would be cool. ::whoohoo::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 09, 2012, 08:01:38 PM
  That's gonna cost as much as the motor.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on May 09, 2012, 08:12:19 PM
  That's gonna cost as much as the motor.

$1600, no tax, no S&H; all the parts and pieces, no running around trying to get connectors for this and attachments for that.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 09, 2012, 08:28:01 PM
  That's gonna cost as much as the motor.

$1600, no tax, no S&H; all the parts and pieces, no running around trying to get connectors for this and attachments for that.

 Long way to go for a stock 350.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on May 09, 2012, 08:29:47 PM
  That's gonna cost as much as the motor.

$1600, no tax, no S&H; all the parts and pieces, no running around trying to get connectors for this and attachments for that.

 Long way to go for a stock 350.

So? 

He's done the bits and pieces and all that jazz and we're done.  And he sez to tell you you're a pita.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 09, 2012, 08:53:16 PM
  That's gonna cost as much as the motor.

$1600, no tax, no S&H; all the parts and pieces, no running around trying to get connectors for this and attachments for that.

 Long way to go for a stock 350.

So? 

He's done the bits and pieces and all that jazz and we're done.  And he sez to tell you you're a pita.

 There's a news flash!!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 09, 2012, 09:44:23 PM
OK, another burnout video coming sometime soon!   ::whoohoo::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 09, 2012, 09:53:37 PM
1955 Chevy show car runs 11.0's burnout and takeoff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evxBeX7o1B0#)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 09, 2012, 10:17:55 PM
They could have used more of that on Dragnet.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on May 09, 2012, 10:51:36 PM
  That's gonna cost as much as the motor.

$1600, no tax, no S&H; all the parts and pieces, no running around trying to get connectors for this and attachments for that.

 Long way to go for a stock 350.

So? 

He's done the bits and pieces and all that jazz and we're done.  And he sez to tell you you're a pita.

 There's a news flash!!

I thought pitas were greek.

Love 'em with tzatziki.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Alphabet Soup on May 09, 2012, 11:33:21 PM
  I forgot my 64 Chevelle SS: Pearl white black inside.

(http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I4752807072301260&pid=1.7&w=292&h=154&c=7&rs=1)


(http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=I4804007362692457&pid=1.7&w=293&h=126&c=7&rs=1)

I had one of those - only dark metallic blue. After I got married for the first time we sold it to a young kid who was working at the same place as me. One day he didn't show up for work. Or the next day, or the next. My boss tried calling him but no answer.

Two weeks later I had a visitor to the jobsite - the men in blue. They wanted to talk to me about my car that they had just pulled out of the Green River. It seems that the kid had gotten himself into a spot of trouble and tried to outrun the cops in that clapped out Malibu. He missed a turn and landed in the drink. Apparently he got away. It turns out that he never bothered to transfer title.

Fortunately I had sent in the sellers report of sale  ;)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 10, 2012, 06:36:18 AM
Hmm..."spot of trouble"..."Green River"....   ::thinking::

Wasn't wanted for murder, was he?!   ::speechless::

Just who owned that car?   ::exitstageleft::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Alphabet Soup on May 10, 2012, 08:09:17 AM
Hmm..."spot of trouble"..."Green River"....   ::thinking::

Wasn't wanted for murder, was he?!   ::speechless::

Just who owned that car?   ::exitstageleft::

You're alluding to Gary Ridgeway - the Green River Killer. And yes, I knew him too.  :o
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Gunsmith on May 10, 2012, 08:42:24 AM

Here's a before picture of the '55 at it's lowest point.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb361/I-BeamGunRepair/small-before.jpg)

JF
Yes, the engine is stock compression & stock cam, but with the intake, carb, AL6 ignition module and MSD Distributor and duel exhaust the motor is not far from 300hp.  If I swap the cam and put headers on it'll make 300+ no problem.

The Radiator is a 4 core down flow the next thing to try an correct the overheating would be to move to the 6cyl position which will entail modifying the core support along with numerous other mods to accommodate AC condensor, tranny cooler, shroud, fan etc... Then that would only be good to the 300hp range, the new setup will keep any motor cool over 400hp, it'll give some buffer if I decide to tweak it up some more.

Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on May 10, 2012, 09:03:03 AM
Hmm..."spot of trouble"..."Green River"....   ::thinking::

Wasn't wanted for murder, was he?!   ::speechless::

Just who owned that car?   ::exitstageleft::

You're alluding to Gary Ridgeway - the Green River Killer. And yes, I knew him too.  :o

Yikes!  I knew some nefarious types from my youth but not that nefarious, just run-of-the-mill...they're probably still in prison, or dead...whatever.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on May 10, 2012, 09:36:39 PM

Here's a before picture of the '55 at it's lowest point.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb361/I-BeamGunRepair/small-before.jpg)

JF
Yes, the engine is stock compression & stock cam, but with the intake, carb, AL6 ignition module and MSD Distributor and duel exhaust the motor is not far from 300hp.  If I swap the cam and put headers on it'll make 300+ no problem.

The Radiator is a 4 core down flow the next thing to try an correct the overheating would be to move to the 6cyl position which will entail modifying the core support along with numerous other mods to accommodate AC condensor, tranny cooler, shroud, fan etc... Then that would only be good to the 300hp range, the new setup will keep any motor cool over 400hp, it'll give some buffer if I decide to tweak it up some more.



  Nice to see you it's been a while.If I may sugest a comp cams 280 magnum works great with a small valve (192-160) a 2500 stall speed torque convertor, a mediem rise manifold dual plane and a holley 650 carb. Yo're doing a gear t job on it!!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 08, 2012, 07:24:33 PM
Update, transmission.

"New" transmission rebuild, 700 R4 overdrive.  Inspection, cleaning and parts replacement done; reassembly ready.

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300664.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300665.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300667.jpg)

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/S7300670.jpg)

Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on July 08, 2012, 07:58:52 PM
How are you with Mazda's?

 ::bashing::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: EW1(SG) on July 08, 2012, 08:49:26 PM
Oooohhhh!!!!!!

Shiny!!

;)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 08, 2012, 09:07:23 PM
Oooohhhh!!!!!!

Shiny!!

;)

I know!  And the blue is gorgeous!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on July 08, 2012, 09:41:14 PM
  Sure is PURRRDY.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 08, 2012, 10:29:38 PM
That's right; it's purrrdy.  The man is a genius; I don't know how he does it, but he understands how all those little parts, in bigger parts, go into the big part.  Then, it goes into the car, where it interacts with other big parts.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Alphabet Soup on July 08, 2012, 11:22:38 PM
Thank God for digital cameras. I use one constantly to detail the disassembly of components so that I have a ghosts chance of getting it all back together again. The Chevy I'm putting together has been in boxes for 20 years.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 08, 2012, 11:27:23 PM
Thank God for digital cameras. I use one constantly to detail the disassembly of components so that I have a ghosts chance of getting it all back together again. The Chevy I'm putting together has been in boxes for 20 years.

I don't think he took any pics upon disassembly.  He's got a good manual, and a DVD that came with the repair kit/components (you can see the DVD player on the work surface in the last photo).

So, how long you gonna sit on those boxes, hmmm?
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: AlanS on July 09, 2012, 06:31:45 AM
What are your plans on controlling the 700 R4? I think it's probably safe to say you have some kind of stand alone computer controller?
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 09, 2012, 12:36:45 PM
No, no computer.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Alphabet Soup on July 09, 2012, 01:22:15 PM
Thank God for digital cameras. I use one constantly to detail the disassembly of components so that I have a ghosts chance of getting it all back together again. The Chevy I'm putting together has been in boxes for 20 years.

I don't think he took any pics upon disassembly.  He's got a good manual, and a DVD that came with the repair kit/components (you can see the DVD player on the work surface in the last photo).

So, how long you gonna sit on those boxes, hmmm?

Life got in the way....but I'm back to it now.
Maybe I'll start my own thread so that I'm not hijacking yours.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on July 12, 2012, 07:33:08 PM
No, no computer.

As if I needed more to be envious of.   ;D

Saw something interesting on the road on the way home tonight.  Saw a guy driving an old early 70's Bronco that he had cut the roof and upper side panels off and turned it into a open air Jeep.  Not to practical in winter or rain, but on a nice day it is useable and it was old enough to not need a computer.  Nice Armageddon vehicle.  Better be well armed to keep zombies from pulling you out though if in the city!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 12, 2012, 07:39:11 PM
Sorry, Libs.  Don't mean to incite bad feelings, just kind of happy we're finally getting 'er done.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on July 12, 2012, 08:19:11 PM
No, no computer.

As if I needed more to be envious of.   ;D

Saw something interesting on the road on the way home tonight.  Saw a guy driving an old early 70's Bronco that he had cut the roof and upper side panels off and turned it into a open air Jeep.  Not to practical in winter or rain, but on a nice day it is useable and it was old enough to not need a computer.  Nice Armageddon vehicle.  Better be well armed to keep zombies from pulling you out though if in the city!

 Some had roofs that unbolted the way you described.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on July 12, 2012, 08:39:46 PM
Sorry, Libs.  Don't mean to incite bad feelings, just kind of happy we're finally getting 'er done.

No bad feelings, I'm happy for y'all!  It's cool to see people putting their own hard work into creating something beautiful and useful!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on July 12, 2012, 08:41:41 PM
No, no computer.

As if I needed more to be envious of.   ;D

Saw something interesting on the road on the way home tonight.  Saw a guy driving an old early 70's Bronco that he had cut the roof and upper side panels off and turned it into a open air Jeep.  Not to practical in winter or rain, but on a nice day it is useable and it was old enough to not need a computer.  Nice Armageddon vehicle.  Better be well armed to keep zombies from pulling you out though if in the city!

 Some had roofs that unbolted the way you described.

Really?  Didn't know that.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: charlesoakwood on July 12, 2012, 08:50:45 PM
Kids.
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on July 12, 2012, 08:53:01 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 22, 2012, 04:30:30 PM
Pic update:

Headliner:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/photo27.jpg)

Front console in progress:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/consoletop.jpg)

Steering wheel - same blue as the upholstery:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/steeringwheeldashandconsole.jpg)

Rear deck - no window:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/reardecknowindow.jpg)

Front passenger door:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/frontpassdoor.jpg)

Front and rear passenger doors:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/frontandrearpassdoor.jpg)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Pandora on July 22, 2012, 05:07:49 PM
Last one, trunk:

(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa189/sugarlake/trunk.jpg)
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: Libertas on July 22, 2012, 06:43:05 PM
Whoa!  Immaculate inside & out!   ::thumbsup::   ::bustamove::

Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: John Florida on July 22, 2012, 09:26:24 PM
   Love the combo!!
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: AlanS on July 23, 2012, 07:54:41 PM
Too cool for skool!! ::cool::
Title: Re: '55 Chevy Delray - restoring and customizing
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on September 29, 2013, 09:56:48 PM
My dad had a 1956 Bel Air with the factory power pack (4bbl carb & dual exhausts). That little Chevy was QUCK!

It started clacking on one of our vacation trips, and he bought a 1959 Impala with the 348 and Turboglide in Yukon, OK. It was a POS. The clacking noise turned out to be from an extra screw in the carb that had been there from 1956 to 1959. It sold before he completed signing the papers for the 1959.