Pro-Street to Pro-Touring...MetalWorks 55 build
 

Pro-Street was a fun time in hot rodding, but it also got a lot of cars cut up pretty bad.
This 55 was started in the early 90's as a Pro-streeter, but was never finished...we are now looking to breathe new life into this forgotten project and turn it into a modern pro-touring car complete with an independent rear suspension Art Morrision chassis and LS drive line...should be a fun one.

Love the Tri-5's. Will be watching this one.

Nice to see another one saved.

Arrival
 

Here is what the 55 looked like when it arrived at the shop after being an idle project since the 1990s.

Man, it's gonna be a challenge just to get the wheels off that!

Gonna be a great project though. :thumbsup:

Tear down
 

First step was to do a tear down and see what we are working with.

This should be a fun build to watch.

Multiple drilled holes in driver side only upper A-arm ? Tim john---

Much better shape than I would've guessed! :thumbsup:

Body off the frame
 

We pulled the body off the frame so we could get it to our acid dipping facility. We then put the chassis up for sale as a roller...it sold quickly...its new home will be underneath a 41 Plymouth coupe.

keep the pix coming! I love shoeboxes!:bump:

Acid dip
 

The 55 is back from our acid dipping facility...ground zero.

Prepping for epoxy.

Man, ya gotta be happy with that!

You just have to love the 55...I'll be watching this one...git er' dunn

Jig table
 

Setting the 55 on the jig table to make sure it's square before we start cutting on it.

Metal work begins
 

Starting to patch up some of the rust in the body after bracing the body.

Soft section of the drivers side rocker was in need of replacing.

Metal work
 

Metal work is getting serious now...we ordered up a new "one piece" floor section and got busy with that as well as replacing the cowl corners, firewall, toe boards, trunk floor, etc.

You guys are moving along nice. Great build.

Thanks a lot, yeah things are moving along nicely...

Metal work and floor replacement continues
 

Cut, weld, repeat....

I love these cars cannot wait to see it completed. Awesome car!

The '55 is THE Tri-5! :relax: Based on previous builds, will be nothing short of perfection when done!

Thanks guys, we appreciate the feedback...the 55 is really coming along nicely.

Getting the lead out
 

Melting out the old lead seams.

Driver's side rear quarter
 

Cut off the old quarter, and got the new one mocked up.

Fan of your work!

I like the white fastback you guys just finished up and the ton of pictures on your website has been a huge help!

This 55 should be nice when you guys are done!

Thanks, we appreciate it.

Glad the fastback pics have been helpful...we try to detail the restoration process for our customers.

Firewall
 

Installing the new indented firewall, toe boards, and transmission tunnel.

Great looking work guys!

Thanks Wayne, it's coming along.

Again, great work guys! :thumbsup:

The new firewall looks great. Good luck moving forward!

Y'all going to be able to fit AC under that dash? Love the work y'all are doing.

Impressive as always!

Yeah, we plan to fit a Vintage Air unit under the dash...we've done many installs in TriFives.

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement guys.

Passenger side rear quarter panel
 

Trimming the sheet metal for the new quarter panel, lots of tweeking before any welding begins.

Trunk floor
 

Getting the new trunk floor set into place.

Art Morrison multi-link IRS chassis
 

The multi-link IRS Art Morrison chassis arrived for the 55...what an absolute piece of art.

Nice! You guys do awesome work.

Thanks, it's coming together nicely.