I've been really thinking lately. I want to play with my Fairmont wagon and get it up to snuff, but I've also been toying with another idea. I've been wanting to build an old Nostalgia Gasser like the ones I watched as a kid (the 60's and 70's). My dad had a 55 Chevy hardtop with a straight axle, Olds rear, 327, 4-speed, tunnel ram, 2 Carters, ect. My idea is to find a 55-57 4-door wagon and build a Nostalgia Gasser. I've seen a couple and it's really got me going. If I can get a good roller cheap, I'll get it. Don't worry, the Fairmont isn't going anywhere. I'll just drop in a 302/4-speed and street drive it. Whadda you think? If you got pics, post 'em for me to drool over.
Sweet dreams... Here's a bunch to give your imagination a rollercoaster ride: http://www.callingallcars.ca/ I was at a yard today with a 1955 or 1956 Dodge 4-door. You could never convince one of today's kids that the fenders are made from thicker steel than the modern bathtub. All the panels looked ok, the headlight area was rusty as usual, the roof got sat on. Didn't look at it much, so I don't know if the powertrain was there of not. Maybe a $500 car plus freight. Anyway, sounds like a fun project. Good luck.
Tsk, tsk...I'm gonna' be busy here for a while (I'm new here). Just my take, but keep yer greasy little fingers off'n the vintage tin, and go have fun with the Fairmont. They're a Fox-body, 5.0-friendly Ford and (no offense) historically insignificant (at least, for the time being). My first ride was a '66 fastback Mustang ($300, AAARGH) and, today, I'm watching people rebuild them from an inboard passenger's seat-belt buckle. I guess my point is that we don't have to carve-up classics to go fast. If you can't resist the classic "gasser" theme, try to find a car that has already passed "thru-the-looking-glass" (eBay is good), and enjoy restoring a retro-racer. Just wait 30 years, and watch a 4-speed cross-member auction off for more than you paid for your whole original car, and I think you'll understand...
I think it sounds like fun. You could always keep the stock suspension pieces to put back later. Cheers, glockr
Now we're on the same page. While this is a significantly "historical" car, somebody else has already been "at it", and the bell can't be "unrung". At this point, with the original motor gone, there would be no harm in slippin'-in a handy rat-motor and maybe beefing-up the rear-gear. I'd have to think long and hard about taking an axe to it, however. If you've ever watched the Barrett/Jackson auctions, '57 Chevys are highly coveted, and the closer to original, the higher the price. While you could spend $100K making this an all-out racer, you'd be lucky to get $40K on the block. At the same time, you could spend $40K restoring this car back to "genny", and fetch $100K when the hammer falls. Just something to think about...
When I do my cars, I try not to do anything that I can't reverse if needed. I wouldn't chop the floors up too bad, the only issue is the frame extensions. This car is a little out of my price range (right now, a lot!!), but I have time.
This 1954 Poncho might be interesting: http://www.backyardauto.com/1954 chevrolet 210 4-door sedan.html
I wonder if that big old anchor of a tube radio works? He's got stuff to drool over. I'll be getting more pics soon.
