THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO NOMINATED ME FOR SHOWOFF OF THE WEEK!!
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE, MORE PICS POSTED AT THE BOTTOM!! (Sorry, no before pics....)
This is my dad's '55 Chevy pickup. We originally picked it up in 1999 for $100. Three and a half years and lots of money later, this is what we came up with.
We started with the suspension, deciding that the best way to go would be to install a Mustang II IFS in the front end (and just this year we added power steering), and a Camaro 10 bolt rear diff. After a lot of tinkering around, we got the ride height where we figured we wanted it. The rear end has 3.08 gears in it. The fuel tank was also relocated to between the framerails at the back.
Next came the engine and transmission. We pulled them out of an abandoned 75 Chevy pickup. The 350 tranny got rebuilt in Calgary, while the engine was rebuilt in our own shop. Once it was finally apart (the back 2 pistons were rusted in place) it was off to the machine shop. When we got it back, it was bored .030 over and had all the replacement parts we needed. We put it mostly back to stock, with the exception of an RV cam, performance intake, 650 Edelbrock carb, and headers, flowing into dual Flowmaster mufflers. The tranny was put back to stock. A few shiny things here and there, a custom built 4 core rad, and we were set. It runs great especially considering the engine rebuild was done in our own shop, which beleive it or not, still has a dirt floor, not cement. Maybe we just got lucky...
Next came the bodywork. Ron Duke, of Medicine Hat, did all of this. He put the body straight, shaved the fuel filler, fender emblems, and painted it all a beautiful yellow. He also tubbed the box to accomodate wider tires, and put in an oak bed. The chrome was all replated as well.
Next was interior, which was handled by Sewline in Medicine Hat. The installed the 90 Chevy bench seat, and did the custom headliner, carpet, and door panels. Visions installed the custom autosound deck, CD changer, Rockford 5" speakers, Rockford amps, and Kicker Solo Baric subwoofer. Finally, we bolted on a set of Eagle Alloy rims, 15x8.5 in the front and 15x10 in the back.
Special thanks to everyone who pitched in with this project, especially those who I have missed. We couldn't have done it without you. Below is a picture of this truck next to my 1997 Chevy Stepside.
A little history on the 1955 Chevrolet 3100 on Page 2.
CLICK HERE to check out some of my buddies rides.
