55 Chevy 'post' build - Lateral-g Forums

**GregWeld** · #1 08-16-2010, 06:31 PM

Well -- just an update now that I've delivered this project back to my buddy The Rickster....

Just a note if you don't remember -- I inherited this project - a complete frame off - LS2 - Tremec 6 speed - new everything -- Art Morrison chassis - Wilwood disc -- power windows -- power door locks -- factory style A/C balls cut into the dash - Vintage A/C - slicked the firewall -- smooth inner fenders -- from the guy that was SUPPOSED to build it for Rick -- and it sat untouched for about 2 and a half years. It was nothing but the bare body sitting on the chassis when I picked it up. Rick asked if I could retrieve it for him... and I said yes. He had a massive stroke in the meantime... but you'll see a picture of him in his new ride taken this Sunday. I delivered the car Saturday and our club (Northwest Classic Chevy Club) puts on a tri five chevy only show at the local hamburger joint (XXX Rootbeer). This is the first and only show he's been able to get to in 2 years.... so it was truly great to have him arrive in his 'new car'. Another buddy drove him to the show - where the car won a trophy. BTW -- This build was a freebie - not a pro build... but a buddy doing another buddy a favor. That's what the hobby is about right?!

NOT A TA · #2 08-16-2010, 07:00 PM

You're a good man Greg! That was mighty nice of you, great that he's able to get out in it!

Car looks great by the way! I've always liked the 55 post cars the most of the tri 5's myself. Maybe one day.......

**GregWeld** · #3 08-16-2010, 07:11 PM

Thanks John...

The grin he had from ear to ear was worth every hour spent!

Only someone that has actually built a car from the ground up -- would know what it takes to do this kind of a build... I just wish he could have been there with me to enjoy the process.... but he's had some REALLY SERIOUS health issues since the stroke. I was really jammin' on the car this last week with all the last minute detail stuff... just so he could attend the show on Sunday - when his wife calls on Friday and says he's had a grand maul seizure... but he made it for a couple of hours on Sunday. So that was good!

**fleetus macmullitz** · #4 08-16-2010, 08:08 PM

Great to see all you did Greg, and your friend in his car.

**waynieZ** · #5 08-16-2010, 08:14 PM

Thats awesome Greg. We only think we know how much this ment to him, It probably meant more than we can imagine.
Your A OK in my book Weld !

**GregWeld** · #6 08-16-2010, 08:29 PM

Thanks Skip!

It's not a car that I'd build... but it is the car he wanted built. That only makes sense if you know the details and what he wanted out of the car. We spent about 2 years (beginning maybe 2004) talking about "the plan". Ricks plan was that he wanted to buy a car that he didn't have to paint. All he wanted was the body... but NO bodywork or paint. He figured and figured -- as a retired CFO would... and came up with his budget... 100 grand - including the cost of the donor. Sounds expensive until you actually start putting real numbers to paper.. AME chassis with the works - 18 grand - Motor/tranny new - 9000 ish -- etc - so we found this car in LA area for about 25g and did the road trip to fetch it.

He did not want a restoration -- he just wanted a "decent" body/paint - but on modern running gear -- with old skool interior etc...

I tried and tried and tried to talk them into stripping the car and doing a real inspection of bare metal - and then just doing a single stage urethane paint job... but no way jose.

SO in the end -- all the parts and pieces -- add up to a car that has a value of about 35 cents on the dollar.... because the body and trim that "looked okay" now don't look quite so good when you put it next to the new paint I put on the firewall and inner fender wells... etc --- and the more billet you put on it - the worse the trim looks etc. To me -- it's a lesson I've tried to save others from doing. Which is --- once you start -- you have to go all the way. Otherwise -- don't start. BUT -- always a big butt somewhere -- this is the car he designed and the car he wanted. Hydraulic clutch - 6 speed - AME chassis - great brakes - LS motor - all new wiring -- new rubber seals etc -- but it's on OLD paint - old trim - old window glass.... so to me it's half baked. A Ricks stainless steel tank underneath - right next to a bumper that needs to be re-chromed.

Since the body was on my rotisserie - stripped bare... there was nothing to slamming it in the trailer -- having it blasted - blocking it - and a quick spray... buff the trim and have the chrome done.... then it would be killer... but as it is -- he has $600 each chromed Budniks next to orange peel... LOL

Anyway -- I'm glad it's "done" and he's happy as a pig in pooh...

**fleetus macmullitz** · #7 08-16-2010, 09:12 PM

Greg,

I didn't know the full story behind it. Obviously quite an odyssey for both of you. I am so impressed by what you did for him.

Do you now devote full car attention to the '37?

**tones2SS** · #8 08-17-2010, 06:41 AM

Car looks great Greg. You're a good man!! You did a very good thing my man!
Glad to see your friend enjoys it!

**GregWeld** · #9 08-17-2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Greg,

I didn't know the full story behind it. Obviously quite an odyssey for both of you. I am so impressed by what you did for him.

Do you now devote full car attention to the '37?

I will wait 'til about October to bring the 37 chassis down off the wall... and then it's BUILD ON!!

I now have to get with Jason R for some rendering work... we've been talking and doing a bit of planing. So yes - is the answer to your question. I'll start a build thread on that as soon as I have some "info" worth posting.

I'm turning 57 this month... and this build of the 55 wore me out... because it's not the same as building a car for yourself... you don't get the fun of making the decisions and doing what I call the "hunting and gathering" (half the fun of a build). And frankly the age is catching up with me... laying under the dash just isn't as easy as it used to be... so have really been thinking that the 37 should go down to Brizio... but we'll see how my hands feel when the monsoon season kicks in and I'm bored and looking for something to do.

George Manont · #10 09-09-2010, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Well -- just an update now that I've delivered this project back to my buddy The Rickster....

Just a note if you don't remember -- I inherited this project - a complete frame off - LS2 - Tremec 6 speed - new everything -- Art Morrison chassis - Wilwood disc -- power windows -- power door locks -- factory style A/C balls cut into the dash - Vintage A/C - slicked the firewall -- smooth inner fenders -- from the guy that was SUPPOSED to build it for Rick -- and it sat untouched for about 2 and a half years. It was nothing but the bare body sitting on the chassis when I picked it up. Rick asked if I could retrieve it for him... and I said yes. He had a massive stroke in the meantime... but you'll see a picture of him in his new ride taken this Sunday. I delivered the car Saturday and our club (Northwest Classic Chevy Club) puts on a tri five chevy only show at the local hamburger joint (XXX Rootbeer). This is the first and only show he's been able to get to in 2 years.... so it was truly great to have him arrive in his 'new car'. Another buddy drove him to the show - where the car won a trophy. BTW -- This build was a freebie - not a pro build... but a buddy doing another buddy a favor. That's what the hobby is about right?!

Greg,

Every word you have on the above write-up means so much ; Friendship, satisfaction, quality, medicine from heaven to the Rickster !

This '55 is , BTW , 55 yrs.old in 2010 !

Bless you !

GM.

.