'57 2Dr Sedan
 

In the past I have posted about my '57 2Dr. sedan I used to 1/4 mile several years ago. Have been wanting to get back to work on it to finish the re-build and for one reason or another it has just not happened. Got down in the back really severe late April and on into June. Could not hardly stand for long periods let alone bend over a fender. Finally got that situation taken care of and then along comes summer heat and Kansas humidity. Being almost 70 years young I don't do either one near as well as I used to. Bit cooler now, in the 90's instead of the triple digits. Now having issues with my right hand thumb. Stiff, painful and "locks" up til really have to work at it to get it to bend around a wrench. Taking Aleve tablets but don't see much relief. Going to see a specialist first part of August, looks like a hand surgery is in the future. Can't seem to catch a break in the wrenching department. :waah:

Okay, enough whining.

Yesterday got started on digging the '57 out of the garage and all the stuff and treasures stacked around it. NOT on top of it but around it, LOL.

Just thought would post up a couple pics of it to prove I really do have a '57 2Dr, LOL. '64 Chevelle 283 .030 over bore, Melling Super Street hydraulic cam, stock '57 GM dual four intake with Carter WCFB carbs, reproduction linkage, Muncie M-21 4 spd, Mr. Gasket shifter, headers and 3:55 pegleg rear gears. Converted to front disc brakes some years ago. Dusty and badly needs a good bath after get it out of the garage. Retired mechanic friend of mine with two "good" hands is going to help me get it back up and running. Then goes to another friend of mine who did the body and paint on my '71 Chevelle. Really keyed up about at last being able to get it on the road again. Sorry for the rambling and long post but sure has been a long road to getting even this far.

Will post up more pics as the progress goes along, but at least am working toward that end again.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Nice.....really nice....looks like it's in great shape....would this be considered "a garage find"?

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Awesome! I love the tri-5’s!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Ha, not sure I would classify it as a "garage find". I always knew it was there, just lots of stuff and treasures packed around it. Decided that I was not getting any younger, pushing 70 years young right now. Time doesn't drag on as you get older, seems to be on a dead run sometimes. The track I used to run on locally is headed for a re-birth! See the post in General Discussion if interested. Will post more on that as I hear of news and information.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Looks like a nice 57! Glad to see that you are getting back into it. Good luck with your project.

Jim

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

55 and 57 are my favorites. I hope you keep the pics coming.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Will add some more pics after get new shoes on and get the ol gal outside for a bath and some sun shine. Hasn't seen the light of day for quite some time. :chevy:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Subbed to tag along and watch

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Got the '57 out of the garage today and moved to a friend's house/shop. He is going to do some work on it that my hand's won't allow me to do right now. Had two steroid shots by a harpoon about 26-28 inches long in thumb joint and wrist. I was a big boy and didn't cry but it hurt like hell, :lol:

Long way to go but really getting pumped up, ready to bang gears again in my street rod. First time it has seen day light in quite some time.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

A few more pics.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Nice!! Its gonna be fun to "putt" around in.....;):lol:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Im in to see this .

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Had to order a new gas tank and figured would get a new sending unit also. Ordered a Spectra tank which is made in Canada. According to most of the posts I read on a tri-five board I belong to, the Spectra tanks are the tank of choice for replacement of an original.

Think this will be a long process but I'm sure ready to hear that little mouse motor roar again. :lol: Nothing sounds as good as a sbc with open headers when building some Rs on the tach.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Not harpoons, just the house keeping, the square needle brigade.

I got two interns with electrodes in the big muscles on all fingers and thumbs, till I pulled all the needles out and ask for a real doctor.

I feel your pain.

Great car, brings back good memories. Strong work

Nut Case

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Cool project, have fun! Tagging along for the rest.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Looks like it is solid and straight. That's going to be a sweet driver when you get it back going. Do you have all of the side trim?

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Actually it is VERY solid, also one of the reasons I decided not to beat it to death on the 1/4 mile track. Some bubbled rust on both front fenders, low, just in front of the doors and as can be seen the wrinkle on the driver's door mid way up aft. Ordered a new set of rubber body bushings and associated hardware. Figure what is there being 60 years old can't be as good as it was in 1957, LOL.

Also plan on taking the car to a body/frame shop before get any body/panel work done to have the frame "squared" prior to anything being done. Had that done with the truck and Chevelle both, no sense in not having it done here. Far as I know I have ALL the stainless side trim along with the front bumper and turn signal bar.

Got the new Spectra tank and sending unit yesterday and got it to my mechanic buddy. Going in the car within a couple days. Making some good progress, wish it was my hands doing the wrenching right now.

Seeing the specialist on my hand Monday. Hope the exam goes well. Still having some problems with grip and strength in it. NOT looking forward to surgery on it at all !

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Hello Gary, I'm subscribed and look forward to following your progress.
The 57 is nice, makes me want one. Larry

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

I've worked on a lot of tri fives but the 57 is my favorite by far!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Visited the 57 and my mechanic buddy Saturday. He is making really good progress with new tank installed and up and running. Just had to take it for a short run down the street. Man, it was great to open up those twin 4 BBL carbs again and listen to the headers and Thrush mufflers growling. Just a quick 1st and 2nd gear run but sure made me feel great!

Just wish it was my hands working on it but for the time being that's not possible. Going to see the hand specialist tomorrow, hope he gives me some good news! Wish me luck on his exam. :chevy:

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Great that it's running!!! Best of luck on your exam buddy.....

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Man...I hope it all works out for you at the dr....

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Hope your Dr visit goes well .

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well the Dr. visit was kinda like the movie, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The Good is the pain has diminished and flexibility has returned quite a bit in the thumb joint and base of the thumb. The Bad is the thumb joint still locks up and pops and snaps when I flex the joint. The Ugly is the Dr. said when the steroid shot completely wears off and it's effects go away the pain will return just as much as before the shot was given. He said only a matter of time before I will be back to where I was. Could be month or several months but he was definite that it will return along with the stiffness.

Rats, looks like surgery for sure is some where in the future. Said the surgery is rather uncomplicated and quick with scraping bone and calcium build up within the joint. Said recovery is normally pretty quick being 3-4 weeks before have full use again of the thumb. My thoughts are now to put it off as long as I can when the pain returns and probably have the surgery during the winter months when stuck in the house and just throwing a log on the FP and drinking another cup of coffee is a big part of the day. Not what I wanted to hear but it is what it is. Tough on the old bod getting older but sure beats the alternative!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

I had a similar issue several years ago....surgery helped but I still don’t have full range of motion or the grip I used to have.

I wish you good luck and second opinions. Just because!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Guess it's time for a little update, both for the '57 and me.

Going back to see the specialist Jan 4th after New Years for my hand, thumb situation. The harpoon shot I received was good for about 3 months. Back to aching all the time, lack of strength in grip, quick shooting pains from time to time. Able to do a few things during that three month period, now, not so much again. This is really starting to be irritating.

On to the '57, much more enjoyable subject for me. Making good progress, body bolts and rubber bushings changed out, door and fender dings worked. Left rear 1/4 panel crease in progress. Lower fender attach bolt rust spots, cut out, patched and partially smoothed to fit for time being. Got several roof dings to work out. Think little kids crawling on the roof at a drive-in movie maybe? Means head liner has to come down to hammer and dolly smooth. Ordered all new rubber door seals/weather strip, trunk seal, door & hood rubber bump stops, w/s and back glass seals. Will be ordering new window felts and seals shortly. UPS starting to know my address again, LOL.

Front clip came off to access some of the very forward body bolts/bushings. As it was being removed as an assembly body guy found an OLD 3 blade pocket knife (looks pretty good for being at least nearly 50 years old) Owned '57 since '75 so has been in the fender for ...????? Also found a very rusty set of feeler gauge leaves. Almost totally rusted closed. Last but not least, a COORS beer opener. Plan on leaving all these as is in a baggie and display them first time the '57 makes a car show.

Taking LOTS of pics for an album, posting a few more recent ones here. Currently the plan is for a solid one color body in Shadow Gray Metallic with two tone gray cloth interior. Buckets and a front bench in same cloth pattern that can be switched out from time to time as a whim. Used the bench seat bolt holes to mount the buckets to avoid putting more holes in the floor.

No idea yet as to completion date, but not in a hurry for this one. This is my LAST project which ironically was the first classic toy I bought years ago. Came SO close to selling this when I was working for Boeing Aircraft. Too many work days in a row for weeks at a time, weekends also, too much over time got to working on me. Told my wife several times "I'm selling the '57, no time to work on it" Bless her heart she talked me out of it saying " You'll regret it for sure" So glad she got me to see the light on that!!

Sorry for the long post but just a bit of an up-date with some pics added in. Will post more as it goes along. Hope you guys like the progress. Seems slow I know but don't want anything hurried on this one.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

It is a good thing you kept it. Good plans for going forward too.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well here it is early Feb of '19 and a little up date again.

Had the surgery on my thumb joint Jan 17, stitches out on Feb 1st. The thumb does not "lock" on me anymore and the aching gone. Been doing physical therapy type exercises since stitches out. Do them four times a day at 10 repetitions each with 7 exercises. Thumb gets a bit tired after but seems getting stronger each day. Actually getting a bit of a grip strength back. So far so good.

57 is progressing along. The UPS guy sure knows where I live. Ordering nearly every piece of rubber and seal known to exist on a 57 Chevy. Still a few more pieces to go. Got another driver side glass to replace original that has a chip out of the upper front corner. All the glass is out to include the front wind shield and the back glass. Brought those two pieces home for storage until time for install. Replace last 10'' of the trunk tail pan from left to right along with the tail pan brace. Body is completely stripped of paint down to the bare metal. Counted 7 distinct layers of paint on rear quarter panels from my applied primer for racing years ago down to the factory primer. 57 must be about 20 lbs lighter now.

Getting closer to time for the first primer coat and then the block and sand to find the high low spots. Trying to figure out a stitch pattern for my interior,
leaning toward a 2'' rolled pleat with side panels. With back glass out would be a good time to figure for my rear package tray speakers. First have to convince myself to cut the package tray which to date is just like it left the factory.

Figured out from my VIN number my 57 was built in Kansas City early afternoon of the shift on Monday Dec. 31st, 1956. Got that info from a Tri-five board I belong to. Wow, that was a piece of nice to know trivia, LOL First 57s built in Kansas City rolled off the line in mid-Sept. of 56.

Posting a few pics of the progress and one of all the items found so far during the rebuild. Smaller group to the left of the pic with two pocket knives, beer opener and feeler gauges was found when the front clip was removed. The items to the right, another beer opener, comb, hair clips, pencils/pens, golf tee and two REALLY dried up cigarettes were between the wind shield and the front dash molding. The cigarettes looked suspiciously like the "roll your own" variety until we got them out, LOL. but they are factory with filter tips.

Bit of a long post but just some more progress and pics along the way. Ways to go yet but progress is being made.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Been some time since I updated this with the progress. Still in paint/body jail but much closer to a release date, LOL.

After the trunk rear section and support bracing was found and replaced had issues with the floor foot area behind the front seat. Both required floor panels to be replaced, just too much thin rusty material to be comfortable with. Had the inside treated with an epoxy spray to prevent further rust altho most likely was not NEEDED but what the h***, it's only $$ and I swore I would not cut corners with my last project build. Currently is in the sand and block process. Body guy is retired like I am, (from same company) and works at his own pace like do, LOL.

A few pics of the process.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well it's been awhile since I up dated this but at last the 57 is at the paint shop!! Adding a few more pics of the up dated process and a bit of the goings on. My body guy finished all the body repair and the sand / block is finished. Made the gap adjustments for the doors, hood and trunk. Really glad to see it to this point, been a long process. Has been in the body repair jail cell for just a bit over a year. Took it in Oct. 4, 2018.

Have the stainless trim being worked to remove any dings and dents, then polish. That's a tough nut to crack, finding someone who can repair stainless trim. Not an easy process to do, time consuming and tedious. Had to find a replacement for driver side lower rear quarter panel trim. Just too rough to work and finish to a level that will match new paint. This came up just as I was getting ready to head to a out of state swap meet for a couple days. A bit of luck stroke there, very first vendor I stopped at had several examples of the 57 trim I needed. This was about 7:30 in the morning. Made my selection of the 5 pieces he had, very reasonable I thought at $25 each. Later that afternoon went by his booth again and all the trim was gone!

When block and sand was done and body guy was satisfied car was ready for paint he loaded it in his covered trailer and called paint shop for a bring it in date. That was put off for almost a week because the spray booth heater took a dump and they had to get that replaced. Car sat in the trailer for almost week and a half. Body guy reluctant to unload then reload with just a slim chance of possibly getting a new "ding" to address. Finally Friday last week he got a call to bring the 57 in Monday this week which we did about 11:00 that morning. It's there and due for paint next week after they a light sand, new prime, mask and ready to go! Paint color selected which is a process for sure, so many options. 2018 Chevrolet Silverado truck color, Shadow Gray Metallic, a medium to darker gray solid one color two stage base and clear. Interior will be a two tone cloth, medium gray with dark gray seat panel accents.

Sorry for the long post but have not posted on the progress for awhile. A few more pics of the journey. Hope you like them.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

A few more pics along the way.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Last couple pics taken while in primer. Next time I up date hope will show the paint process while in the booth and finally at last some COLOR !!

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Looks good....I'm glad somebody's getting some painting done...

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Looks good, I anxiously waiting to see it with paint on it.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Have to admit I'm anxious to see some color paint on it also after all these years. Bought it in primer in 1975, raced it in primer for several years. Then family, kids, job, house, payments and bills and life got in the way of going fast. It was then stored in the garage until I retired. Has never had anything but primer on it since I bought it. Seeing some color will be a BIG change for sure.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Well finally after 44 years of being in primer the '57 has a NEW paint job in COLOR ! Picked it up from the paint shop Weds. and back to my body guy to start putting it back together. Install windshield, back glass, side glass, door guts for windows and door handles, stainless trim, dinal adjust for door gaps....etc. Not sure how long he will have it and then it goes for interior. Hope to have it ALL back together and finished for cruising weather come spring. Needing to get a decent car cover also is on the list.

A few pics of the paint prep and a few of the painted body. Have a few more pics in the camera but not downloaded to the computer yet. Really liking the color choice, 2018 Chevrolet Silverado pickup - Shadow Gray Metallic. Was a bit nervous when picked it out trying to visualize that color on a '57 but am really very satisfied.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

A few more pics with BC/CC sprayed.

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Wow..that turned out extremely nice...

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Very nice Indeed , cant wait to see more .

Re: '57 2Dr Sedan
 

Beautiful!! I'm excited for you!