1959 Chevy Kingswood project

Coming along nicely!

 

Lisa, you are going to be soooo much happier with the 350/200 4R overdrive, and the front disc brakes. Good choice.

 

Very good choice. All though it may have been nice to have kept the old six, I agree on costing at least as much for less in the long run.
I see way more rust-outs than we knew from just the side views while on wheels. Even the quarter panels look nasty but I suppose if they are going to be replaced a lot of rust is no worse.
That is a great body style and will always be a collector car.

 

Appreciate your comments, guys. I want to tell you how helpful your posts here have been... learning what you've shared has been very useful when discussing stuff with the shop guys.

For instance, Larry was talking about brakes today and I remembered what you all had said about the 14 inch wheels not being very compatible with the upgraded brakes. I asked him about that, and he paused for a bit and said, "You're right. It would be better to go with a larger wheel." I felt so smart! Well, maybe just a little bit less stupid.

 

looking good ,just my opinion but you will be way happier with the 350/200r4. the disc brakes up front with a power booster and power steering will make the car much more comfy to drive and able to keep up with modern day traffic
now if it had a 348 or 409 that would be different
just for your info autozone is a good place for 59 chevy parts as there computers dont list a wagon but a belair and a lot is interchangeable

 

Yes, the rust is grim. Luckily Steven likes to do metal fabrication - he says he will have no problems tackling the rusted out areas that remain after he installs the new floor pan. Only one quarter panel is going to be replaced, and that's the rear left lower; he'll patch the other. The front quarter panels are in good shape and have already been primered.

 

Thanks. Good to know about Autozone.

I'm tempted not to get power steering. Sounds kind of nutty, but I like the feel of manual steering on an old car.

 

Lisa - you are going to have a great fun to enjoy car. The engine and transmission choices are a great fit for your wagon and its intended use.

As for the brakes - I have disc brakes on front, at present the stock drum brakes on back. They work very well even pulling a 24' Airstream (1960 model) trailer up over mountains and more importantly, down the other side.

As for wheels I wanted a vintage look that would not look out of place on the car so keep it looking close to stock, but a bit more unique than hubcaps. That is why I went to Roadster wire wheels and white wall tires. We constantly get comments on how well they suit the car, they fit the disc brakes nicely, the only drawback is they take a bit more effort to keep clean but not enough to be an issue.

The body of your wagon needs some love for sure but it appears you have found an excellent group of people to make it like new again. They are also doing this in what would typically be considered a short period of time. You are very fortunate to have them taking this on. Very excited to see it when it is done. Thanks for all the great pictures.

 

the only time no pwr steering is tuff is when parking. just recently i put one of those 60's style small metalflake steering wheels, well on the way up to the tail of the dragon , i blew a power steering hose. it sure made my arm hurt (couldnt even lift a beer with my right arm the next day) without power steering for those but it sure was fun

another fyi but your body man seems good enough to deal with it but the repro 1/4's fit everything but the 4 door , it can be made to work just takes a little finessing

 

With a large enough factory steering wheel, it just gives you "Armstrong Steering." The only thing you need to know is that you inch the car forward/backward while applying the effort to turn it; Dad taught me that when I first learned how to drive, and that was with a manual trans car.

 

Yes, that's just what I do with my Falcon. It's smaller and more maneuverable in a tight space, though. I will try not to do much parallel parking in the Kingswood! That would be a real drag.

 

I still don't have power steering on our 1955 Chevy wagon. Wish I did but the only times it is hard to steer is when at a car show backing in beside other cars. With a smaller steering wheel it was more difficult but now with the 59 Impala wheel back on it helps.

 

I could not drive either the Chevelle or the Safari without power steering. There was a time when it was do-able, but no longer. The conversion is inexpensive (relatively) for 50's Chev's, I don't know about other brands. My Pontiac came with it from the factory but that was replaced when I did the swap to the Trans Am front clip. I can't even imagine not having it now as it adds so much to the driving pleasure. I believe that radial tires does make it somewhat easier, but a 50's/60's wagon is darned heavy compared to the smaller vehicles of the 60's.

What is nice is that it is not a difficult install once the wagon is back together and you decide you want or need it. Given it was an option in '59 it is also within the "some what stock" parameters you are looking for.

 

I've a feeling the novelty of manual steering will not last as long as ownership, and of course makes the car more versatile and valuable /saleable. That car is big - you are petite. I know you're strong but you'll have to live with it on bad days too. When PS was an option people payed more to have it.
Now is really the best time to consider adding it. It can physically be added later but it may require a new set of pulleys, brackets, pump, high pressure hoses and cooler. While not expensive in relation to the cost of the build it's still not cheap.
Also have you given any more consideration to boxing the frame? These old cars are heavy but not strong. The strength benefit to closing in that frame wherever possible is astronomical. Take a box (opened on the ends) and cut one side off and flex it compared to a box with 4 sides. I'm home now getting ready for work so no time to calculate but I'm sure the info is online.

 

Can the frame be boxed without removing it from the body? I just did some reading about the X frame, it and, while there was some information defending it, popular opinion is that it wasn't as safe. I'll see what our body shop can do.

Thanks for the advice about the power steering. I'll think it over. Maybe it's enough to have manual steering in my little car. If we intend to maximize driveability in the Kingswood, perhaps it makes sense to go with PS.