1959 Chevy Kingswood project

Thanks, guys! Having a giggle over your posts, too!

 

Lisa,
I fell in love with your thread the moment I saw the first pictures you posted, about 2 hours ago!
Read all the way through and glad to see that the final chapter is yet to be written, so I didn't miss out on the big reveal.

Very sorry for the late to the forum and very happy to see another late 50's long roof rescued from the crusher.

I have driven for 3 years now a 1958 Ranch Wagon that went through some of the very same efforts.... albit, on a shoe string budget. (Thread buried somewhere on this here forum actually.)
Doesn't matter if it's shiny or not because it fits my needs and has never, ever left me stranded! Because, in my opinion, there is something special about basic technology which connects us to the land, the people and God.



I am now following the wonderful progress on your "Winged Warrior" with much interest.

Respectfully submitted,

 

"Winged Warrior." I like that a lot! I hope to find your Ranch Wagon thread. That is a beautiful car. Bet it brings you a lot of joy, and turns a lot of heads.

Thanks for the kind words. It has been such a good project in so many ways. A team of very talented, honest people is making it happen.

I have some new pics to post. The firewall was painted last week, and Larry, our mechanic, has been busy with the suspension and engine work. He fit the engine onto the frame Friday. After the transmission case is painted, he'll fit that, too.

I do like the color! Tried to get it close to the original Crown Sapphire.



Here's the carburetor. Holley 4-barrel.










Stephen, the shop owner, has been working on the rocker panels and doing other metal patching where needed.





Here's what I walked into this morning... my heart was a wee bit aflutter!















Things are moving along quite well, I think!

 

Looking GREAT!
Won't be long before that body is back on the frame.

 

Thanks, Jairus. Stephen said he has a little more patching to do behind the rear wheel wells, and he'll replace a rear lower quarter panel that had too much rust to deal with. We're hoping by Christmas to have the car put back together. I'm not in a big hurry, though - been enjoying every minute of this. And once this portion of the project is complete, there is still a lot to be done at the trim/upholstery shop. That will be a new chapter and many more weeks of work.

 

Jarius, I took a look at your thread. What a labor of love, and a very cool car. I admire what you've accomplished.

 

fyi the steering shaft seal and wiring harness grommets are available aftermarket

 

That is good to know. I think Larry will re-use the original grommets and connectors (if I'm calling them the right thing) wherever possible, too.

 

I believe you said you are putting in an Automatic... right?

Don't forget to order and install the kick down linkage to the Holly Carb. Chevrolet Automatics don't like running with-out the linkage attached like a Ford will.

Kick down linkage is usually attached to the existing throttle linkage. There is also a spring and set screw... and mount for the kick down rod. The linkage for my Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor cost me about $40 and installed in about 20 minutes.

 

you may want to reconsider using the original 50 yr old connectors and wiring harness

 

nice build =0)

keep up the good work ....

 

Update - The engine and transmission bolted into place now. Apologies for the bad lighting - it was late in the afternoon and the sun was in the wrong place. Note the newly painted firewall. SO happy with that color.

The body will be taken back off the frame next week so the bodywork can be completed. There's more patching to do... making progress!







Larry's getting the front suspension springs in place. Looks kind of dangerous!





Stephen has patched the inner back wheel well...



And here is the rear lower quarter panel to replace the old one that was rusted beyond repair.



Here's the air/heating unit. It will work with the existing original controls. Trying to decide if we should have vents added to the back of the car - not a decision that must be made now, but I'm thinking we ought to have it. It's a big passenger area.

 

Lookin good. I like the color too.

 

just an fyi , it depends on how cool you like the back but on mine in fla even with the insulated roof i needed a secondary unit. none of the indash units will flow the air to the back of the car . on mine on a hot summer day you could feel the heat radiating off the roof into the car. the indash would keep you cool from the shoulders down but your head still wasn't cool enough. i added an underdash unit and they flow a lot more air

 

Sure are a lot of hot heads in Florida!
I've had the custom fit VintageAire in my 55 Chevy wagon for over a year. Son still hasn't hooked up the hoses and he says he gets a better deal on crimping them.
By the time it's working I'll be in Illinois. I really can't remember if or what I put in the inner roof to insulate it way back in the late 80's. But we don't have a way-back seat or ride in the back seat.
Now is the time to get all the insulation in the car as possible.