Northwest Classic Chevy Club just had their annual Tri-Five Chevy only show at the XXX RootBeer in Issaquah. That show generally has 250 to 300+ tri-fives.
They have a website:
http://www.nwccc.net
They meet once a month at the XXX RootBeer there in Issaquah. If you've not been out there - it's chalk a block full of car "stuff"... including a 409 that will greet you at the entrance.
Find Bud Worley. He knows every car guy in the Universe. And a group of them go to every show as a group every waking moment.
NONE of them knows anything about actual handling or suspension. But they can help you with Tri Five stuff and where to get things etc.
I'm not a car show kind of guy - but random people cruise out there every nice Saturday afternoon beginning around 3:30 or 4:00 just to hang out and blab... so if you're bored... and looking for like minded people. Punch it out there. Look for "MARV"... and introduce yourself - Tell him I said to.
I did live there until a couple weeks ago. And I just sold my '56 Nomad at Barrett JackASS this past January.
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On to the handling part. At a MINIMUM - You're going to need to change your upper and lower control arms.... add a pan hard bar to the rear... and upgrade your brakes to disc all around - and upgrade to RideTech shocks.
If you want to see how well a station wagon can get around the course -- look up Newman Creations (Kyle and Paul) - contact them and ask if they've posted up any videos etc on YouTube. They're great people and know their stuff about getting your wagon to turn.
http://www.newmancarcreations.com/55-57-chevy/
My Nomad had a Jim Meyer Racing Chassis under it... and big ass Baer Brakes. At the time I did those mods Art Morrison (He's local right there in Fife) wasn't making replacement chassis for it... or I'd have done one of his. But now you're in the 20 Grand range...
I've done a couple of those chassis under tri-fives and I can tell you it's an amazing transformation of a car. As in OMG WOW. Ditto the Newman chassis... and if you really like your car and want it to handle and ride better - then eventually you'll be looking at this kind of an upgrade.