55 Chevy with a Roadster Shop REVO Chassis

[Roadster Shop]

This is a nice old 55 Chevy that the owner brought to us looking for some updating in the ride, performance, stance, and looks categories. Like a lot of cars out there, it was an older restoration that fueled the need to have an old car. However, riding on a stock 1955 frame and suspension with outdated steering, and inadequate brakes kept this ride in the owners garage instead of out on the road. "It looked great, but was no fun to drive". So, after some discussion, the owner brought the 55 down to the shop to install one of our new REVO chassis as well as a few other things on his "wish list".


Roadster Shop REVO complete Chassis
12" Wilwood brakes
Ididit tilt steering column
Billet Specialties Hi-Boy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
Dakota Digital VHX gauges
Re-wire entire car to clean up engine compartment and fix the mess of wires under the dash that went through an original fuse box.
Install a Tremec TKO-600 in place of the worn out 4-speed
Engine dress up with Billet Specialties Tru-Trac, valve covers, air cleaner, etc...
Smooth the firewall and inner fenders and re-paint the engine bay.
A list of other minor complaints/issues that the car had developed over the years.
And a few other items that popped up once we got into the build!


Here is what it looked like when it arrived:

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224410_zps7166fcaf.jpg[/URL]

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224411_zps2b1f2c5a.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224407_zps35078703.jpg

[Roadster Shop]

Disassembly begins.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224598_zpsf624c90d.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_7778_zpsd1b1665d.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_7780_zps8fbca012.jpg

Sorry to all who were interested, Marty already called "dibs" on the air cleaner for his Camaro!

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_7777_zps86f80b1b.jpg

[214Chevy]

I'll be following this one too. We know you guys will give it the ol' RS one-two punch. Keep the pics coming!

[Roadster Shop]

New REVO chassis and component build

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_2732_zpsdbf44c8d.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_2734_zpsf896f141.jpg

A few nice shots of the completed chassis
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9371676718_1002457a79_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/9371676378_2c01dee0ec_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/9368900069_7c886ba9d3_b.jpg

[Roadster Shop]

Once we moved forward with the dis-assembly, we started running into issues with the condition of the car. Several of the floor braces were not attached to the body, and some actually stayed attached to the frame when we separated the two. There was a lot of old rust that had been repaired with massive amounts of bondo, wire mesh, foam, and anything else that would fill the holes.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_9428_zpsf719aa89.jpg

The decision was made to replace the entire floor rather than fix all of the little spots around the car. So we braced the body and removed what was left of the original floor.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224818_zps1f28dc7e.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224815_zps4cae6c86.jpg

Next, we found the lower front of the passenger side quarter was pieced back together and nothing left to weld the floor or wheel houses to.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224808_zps46433a91.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_9161_zps08351c20.jpg

[rkleypas]

Chris, as you know, I can relate to this. One thing's for certain, it will be perfect when y'all finish it

[jy211]

1 piece floor? :knock:

[fleetus macmullitz]

That is one crusty '55...temporarily.


:D

[tones2SS]

Wow, the surprises you find when tearing into a car.
Glad the owner went with a full floor.

[Roadster Shop]

1 piece floor? :knock:

My bad, it was actually a 2 piece floor from Danchuck. 1 piece complete main floor (with braces) and then a 1 piece trunk floor. We also used the Danchuck deeper wheel tubs to comfortably get a 295 tire in the back

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_9259_zps658a6ca0.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_9260_zps854084b8.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_0490_zpsa90e94f1.jpg

[Roadster Shop]

Chris, as you know, I can relate to this. One thing's for certain, it will be perfect when y'all finish it

It was about on par with a certain Chevelle that we are working on!

[Roadster Shop]

The view from below.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_0729_zps153ea1b7.jpg

We removed the spare tire well since it wasn't even large enough to hold the brake rotors... and installed a Rock Valley stainless tank that goes from frame rail to frame rail and holds a little over 24 gallons of fuel.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_0723_zps0bc1135a.jpg

Also filled some unused holes and smoothed the firewall since we had everything taken apart.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224692_zpsb55a6b28.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_9524_zps839e79ed.jpg

[syborg tt]

Very Nice.

My next project will have a Roadster Shop chassis.

[Roadster Shop]

I've gotten behind on this thread and unfortunately let it die down. Here is the next batch of pics all at once to hopefully breathe a little life back into this one!

Body put on a rotisserie to prep and paint the floor.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_0974_zps981d5d92.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_1012_zps81a8a970.jpg

The motor got a nice dress up thanks to Billet Specialties
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1056_zps8a7f1b3d.jpg

And the assembly begins.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1077_zps4e43ef5b.jpg

[Roadster Shop]

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1080_zpsfab51904.jpg

Gotta show the bottom of the car some love.
Before:
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture224598_zpsf624c90d.jpg

After: It needs to look as good as the top side. Everything has a place with a clean, clutter free look. And plenty of details to catch your eye.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_3121_zpsb6a82915.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_3123_zpsaf0710e9.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/IMG_3129_zps40079725.jpg

[Roadster Shop]

Almost on the ground... The lift doesn't allow the car to go all the way down to ride height.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1290_zps175b31fd.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1291_zps05ad6158.jpg

I'll post up some completed shots tomorrow.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Great job guys. :thumbsup:

[groovyjay]

Another homerun! :trophy-1302:

[MHORTON79]

Such a beautiful car. Great job guys. The shoebox Chevy's are one of my favorites.:thumbsup:

[214Chevy]

I'll post up some completed shots tomorrow.

Uhhh...today is tomorrow and we're waiting. LOL!! Looking real good guys. The wheel upgrade really brings it out.

[Roadster Shop]

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1326_zpscf795d54.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1331_zps1b128333.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1333_zps9e10f39d.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss79/RS-Perf/Pats%2055/Picture1354_zps1432be83.jpg

[fleetus macmullitz]

Very nice. :thumbsup:

Enjoyed the '60 Biscayne vid.

Any of this one on the road?

[rkleypas]

That turned out so nice. I bet it rides and handles awesome without any death wobble or brake fade. Did you save the exhaust tips for me?:lol:

[Al Moreno]

What can you say..... another great job from RS:hail:

[tubbed69]

What can you say..... another great job from RS:hail:

you said it just right Al,they do great work:trophy-1302:

[tones2SS]

Very nice. :thumbsup:

As the Skippa said, very nice.

[jr2226]

Another work of art. Love the work your shop turns out

[waynieZ]

Great job guys!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

very nice!! wheel and tire specs please?

[Richio1]

Beautify... sits perfectly. Great job!

[Roadster Shop]

Thanks guys. Nothing too crazy on this one, just updating an old hot rod. It again shows how the right wheels and stance can totally change the look of a car. It was a pretty good difference from when it came in, to when it left.

[syborg tt]

Thanks guys. Nothing too crazy on this one, just updating an old hot rod. It again shows how the right wheels and stance can totally change the look of a car. It was a pretty good difference from when it came in, to when it left.

and when it's done it now becomes a safer car to drive.

[Roadster Shop]

Very nice. :thumbsup:

Enjoyed the '60 Biscayne vid.

Any of this one on the road?
Mo videos of this one unfortunately. The customer was in a big rush to get the car back so he could bring it to a show. We didn't have too much time to play with the video and picture side when it was completed. We will be getting the car back in the fall to completely re-do the interior (ditch the 70's velour that is currently there!). We will get more pictures and videos at that time.

That turned out so nice. I bet it rides and handles awesome without any death wobble or brake fade. Did you save the exhaust tips for me?:lol:

HAHAHA they were a little work out, so we ordered up a few new ones for your car. I think that hte 6 bow tie exhaust tips will look very classy on the back of the car!

very nice!! wheel and tire specs please?

Billet Specialties "Hi-Boy" 18x8 and 20x10 245 and 275 Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Nothing too aggressive since this will just be a cruiser.

[Ed.Capen]

Guys the 55 turned out great, suprising just how nice a simple frame change can make a car look just right. The correct frame makes the stance look perfect.

Ed