t_towner

So, it's 1969 and your 55 Chevy Convertible has a small tear in the top. What do you do? Park it in the back yard under the carport and order a NOS top from the local Chevy dealership. What happens when life gets in the way? Time ticks away and it's not for sale at any price until after you die. So it sets for 43 years buried under tarps. One owner California black plate. Original 265 Engine runs when you pour gas down the carb.

That's great but kind of boring?

Right jow we are In the middle of LSx swap. Air Ride rat rod project. Trying to get ready for hot Rod Power Tour in Stillwater.

Goal is to completely update the drivetrain/suspension but not touch the exterior of the body.












Status Update

t_towner

Drug it all the way home 3 weeks ago. The three little kids were all crawling asking daddy are you ganna fix this one up.

t_towner

This was day 2 of build. Planning to intall a 9" w 3.55's on Air Bar suspension.

Engine is low mileage LQ9 w 4L65e

LS2 manifold is ready to install. Comp cams grind coming shortly

t_towner

Day 5.

What's this 5008 number on the cowl? Upon cleaning up the firewall this was found on drivers side. It does not match the vin or body number on trim tag?






Motor on initial mockup.

t_towner

Trying to get it at least rolling and ready for power tour by Thursday. These pics were taken on Wednesday.

I'm thinking of these rims (Intro Twisted Vista's but only w/ a 18/20" combo?) Right now these are 17" just for looks.

Any suggestions on classy rim/tire combo?







AirBar initial installation:

superdave84

Very cool build. Glad to see a ratrodder with enough taste to run an LS. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

gorr4

iTrader: (2)

sweet deal
so did u make it to the power tour?

silvertooth

Great car!

Jimbo1367

great find.

t_towner

Haven't made the tour yet. It stops in Stillwater ok next Thursday. Hopes to drive there are dashed but might trailer it.

This pics are from late Friday night. No hacking and it could easily be put back to stock.

Wildwood 6 pistons installed w control arms.

Cam/springs/pushrods were also installed. My first LS cam swap. Man was it easy.

Also have 605 power steering box in.





Just waiting for coil overs to finalize air bar brackets on rearend. The Intro Wheels won't bolt up due to back spacing issues so I'm hoping a set of corvette rims will bolt up for rolling purposes.

I'm going to have a ton of LQ9 questions here in a few.

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TypeSL2

iTrader: (2)

Looks like an awesome project. Definitely keeping an eye on this build.

James

rockytopper

Way cool ride.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Unbelievable find. Thanks for keeping it as is. Most would see a Barrett Jackson deal here. It's way cooler, and much more enjoyable than a trailer queen. Shoot, I'd autocross it! Keep us posted.

ChuckDriver

Cool project!

t_towner

Can't anyone do a Barrett Jackson car with enough time and money? I've restored and driven some extremely nice cars and at the end I always seem to struggle to find a car I can really drive and enjoy without the worry. I searched almost 7 years to find a suitable original patina convertible for the project. The floors are a little weak so there will be street signs incorporated in the floorboard to ensure they are strong. As a result of the floors I would probably be afraid to autocross in fear the doors wouldn't close properly.

Does anyone have experience w 400+ horespower on a stock convertible frame? Did it twist? Am I Overthinking this?

gorr4

iTrader: (2)

shouldn't the frame be stronger / stiffer being a vert
could always just get one of the bolt in aftermarket frames
don't they make em with the full c5 or c6 set up's now ?

Rucumn

Nice project! I would love to find a 55 vert worthy of a LSX build up. Keep the pics coming.

Emdmechanic

iTrader: (2)

If the frame is boxed and not rotted you shouldnt have any issues. i wouldnt think anyway

t_towner

Frame is excellent and the overall car is in nice shape considering its sat since 1969. The only concern area is the right side rear floor pan/rocker area. (Back at the rear corner of the passanger door.) I just don't want to put horsepower to the car and have the body twist where the doors won't shut properly or mess up the gaps. I'm really just being overly **** about it.

The rear 4 link will help stiffen the chassis and we'll check out the welds on the rest of the frame. It's never been hit or has any body damage so I should just drive it and make sure I don't take it to the track w/ sticky tires (or Autocross .)

There is an Art Morrison chassis collecting dust from another project. Originally we were going to set the body on that frame but I'm afraid if we pull the body off I'll start fixing the floor pans and then before you know it a full blown restoration is going and then you have a car just like anyone else can create. At lest this one should be a little unique....?

Chrome_Rust

iTrader: (4)

love this
If i had toe time and the resources.... I would do it just like you are.