Ironworks & Fairway Chevrolet build a 55 Chevy street sleeper monster.
 

After we got the Chevelle wrapped up and she got all the press she did for a 16 year old paint resto project, the guys from Fairway Chevrolet asked about building another project. But this time step up the game just a little bit. I suggest a 55 chevy project I had been gathering parts for for many years. Greg's main concern was the driveability of the car over long distances. So when this project began discussion last fall Greg's main concern was being able to drive the car from Las Vegas to Bakersfield of Scottsdale and having the same driving experience the Chevelle has but this time with a bit more "BLING". That Chevelle is awesome to drive, Ask me how I know......

So the discussion of the building a 1955 Chevrolet that was very subdued was talked about. Basically try to out due the stance on the Chevelle with a 55 Chevrolet. Well the 55 I had need a quarter panel and I always knew these cars would take what's called a "wedge section" to make them look proper. The Wedge Section will thin out the entire car from front to back. But with this car we cut the body through the back side of the front wheel opening. And then dropped the front frame horns to get the front headlight and grille assembly to come down 2.5" and make the bumper even with the rocker from the side profile. In this picture below you will see what I'm talking about.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ary2011021.jpg


And here is the direction we are going with the car in this rendering. You will notice that the bumper is now down quite a bit in this rendering to effectively lower the front of the car and tuck the front wheels 2.25" further into the car without really disrupting the visual appeal of the 55 Chevrolet.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...chev_100_4.jpg


Alright enough of the blah blah blah. Lets get to the fab work.

Uhhh, Roger....that Chevelle is gonna be damn hard to beat. :thumbsup: I'll be watching.:popcorn2: :popcorn2:

In my eyes all we did was turn this car.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics003.jpg

Into this......

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...HRsideshot.jpg

I wish it was really that easy. There is actually a ton of work in this car to get it to run and drive and work like it does. I'm just stoked on the results and glad the customer is so happy he let as build something else for him.

Thanks Again. My guys did a kick ass job on this car.

So let me explain the wedge section with pictures. It is alot of work and can be quite a task. We paint stripped the car on the outside and only on the inside where we were going to make the cuts. We knew the floors needed to be replaced and wanted to do that after so we could make the interior sheetmetal fit the car and look factory when the door panels and such are removed. We do not local access to a dipping facility and we knew this car was going to have alot of panels replaced so we elected to clean it up by hand as we went and we will get whats left blasted here shortly to access part we would not have been able to get before.

Here is the stock car all mocked up

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics002.jpg

Here is the car when it is all stripped down to make the cut.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics008.jpg

Here is the manifold to cowl height difference before and after the cut.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics006.jpg

We 2" out of the firewall and dropped down to get this.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2013.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics018.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics019.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...hoppics020.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2001.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2002.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2003.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2004.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2005.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2007.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2008.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2009.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2010.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2011.jpg


The layout and precise cutting is the toughest part of this project and making sure you have a nice game plan to make it go back together.

I noticed another '55 in the background.

It will be interesting to see them both side-by-side when they're completed.

Along side the 56 and the 57 that will be done later this year. Its tri-5 land right now.

Rodger, I have no doubt you and your guys will do an amazing job on this 55. I love the rendering and design goals. Good luck with it. Also, thanks for showing us the details of wedging the car. This is the first time I've seen the process. It really helps give a better appreciation for what is involved instead of simply reading that the car was wedged.

Awesome work guys! :thumbsup:

Thanks Guys. I will try and get some other pictures posted up very soon. We are quite a ways ahead of these pictures.

Rodger you are now my new Hero.When I grow up I hope I have your eye for cool build's.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Love the wheel choice on the render! Will they stay?

Thanks big time for the detailed cut pics! A lot to learn there, especially in the jambs.


Jeff-

Ain't nothing wrong with that! :bitchslap:

We will be doing something very similar to what is shown. Evod Wheels has been slated to make the one off wheels for us on this project.

Thanks

The 56 that made the grt 8 this year was done like that just a bit. But not as much as the direction you are going. The 56 most poeple don't even notice 2" on that car right at body moulding. But you really notice it where the grill and park lights and bumper are.

This project has a lot of coolsomeness.

serious game changer....again.

pretty intense body mods Roger.

How do you keep everything (sheetmetal and aspect shapes) square or do you just get it close and perfect it in metal work since you are essentially starting from scratch?

The lay out is the toughest part and then you have to cut it precise. To make the welding easier. I will post pics of it tacked up next week so you can see how precise Broc's cut lines and cuts are to get the best results. It's all just math in getting the layout perfect.

I just saw one of these this morning: maybe four inches of clearance underneath (decently positioned coilovers), two-tone red and gray, sort of pro-street, but not M/T tires. I made sure to turn off the radio and put the windows down, and it sounded like LS, with a manual box. I was wishing I had a dash cam...

I want to say that Ron Sutton has been teasing with the idea (or is in the process) of building a p/t tri-five. Can I smell competition for awesomeness?

Awesome build! Without giving away all of your secrets- would you mind sharing with us what tools and/ or process you use to cut the metal so clean like that?

Sharpie, 4.5" grinder and a straight edge.

So the next step in the process was welding up the seams in the car. This is where the precise cuts and proper fit up pays off in dividends.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2029.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...oppics2030.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...15-2014010.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...21-2014009.jpg


You can see the amount of work that was needed to get this Danchuk quarter panel to fit properly. The original door skins will be replaced as the final step to get the flow down the sides proper once everything is complete. They are just riveted on for looks at this point.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...21-2014011.jpg

You can see this quarter panel has been welded and metal finished. This is the stock quarter that remained on the car and was cut and welded back together. We also shaved the gas door at this point to minimize warpage.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...21-2014012.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...31-2014009.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...31-2014010.jpg


Looks factory at this point.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...31-2014013.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...31-2014014.jpg

Outstanding Rodger.

Incredible metal work. Car's gonna be a winner.

To help me keep all these 5's straight, I named this one 'Shorty'.

Feel free to use the name if you like Rodger.


:popcorn2:

what about 5'5 SHORTY :headscratch:

How about the "Fairway 55". Might as well give the guy footing the bill the chance to name his car.

wow! Thanks for sharing this. I can only imagine the time and energy that went in to every aspect of this so far.

Dave

Thanks Dave, The wedge section is pretty big deal but stuffing the engine package into this car like planned will be a pretty big deal. It's usually harder to try and make something look stock then it is to make it look custom.

That's when you know you have done it right.

If only more people actually understood this part!!

Layout makes everything else easier. From Bank robberies to Fabrication

I'll keep this short ... whatever you name it tall man, I'm sure it'll be fair. ;)

Thanks for sharing the details. Awesome work.

Don

looks fantastic

Here is an update on the fabrication.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...12-2014037.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...12-2014036.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...12-2014035.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...12-2014034.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-1-2014032.jpg


Rough sketch on the engine compartment.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...gine_150_2.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...gine_150_1.jpg

Rough direction of the wheel design.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...chev_140_1.jpg


I'm not happy with the air cleaner just yet, but we are getting there.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...12-2014014.jpg

2 words come to mind.

Star. Trek.


:thumbsup:

1 word comes to mind


HUH?

Here's what I instantly thought of. And no I am not a trekkie. :bitchslap:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...psf107f281.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps9a81ce6b.jpg

Amazing Roger I would have no clue where to even begin to imagine how to do this. Thanks for the glimpse into this kind of fab work.