My 56 Handyman build

[oldiron]

Got the frame home today. Very happy with how it has turned out. Below are a couple of pictures of todays delivery and short slideshow of the process.

1956 Chev Handyman Wagon Frame build up - YouTube

[Clyde65]

Nice job! Love the video and the work you have done so far!

[oldiron]

Well my body man has had medical issues that have prevented him from working on the body since January. Well he has been felling better lately for a couple of hours a day and started to weld up some of small stuff today.

I'm glad you are on the road to getting well again my friend.

[oldiron]

Continue:

[oldiron]

More holes filled.

[Clyde65]

So no moldings?

[oldiron]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

So no moldings?

No Quarter diagonal molding. See attached picture.

[oldiron]

More welding now on the dash.

[oldiron]

Dash continued.

[oldiron]

Now to the A-pillar on the passenger side. Ugly rot here.

[Advanced Design]

Nice work!

[oldiron]

More work done on the passenger A pillar. Part 3
All finished, put the door back on to confirm fitment.
On to deleting the factory antenna hole, plug cut and fitted.

[Clyde65]

Awesome work! I truly wish I had metal work talent!!

[oldiron]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I truly wish I had metal work talent!!

I wish had talent too. I'm glad Liverat does have the talent.

[oldiron]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I truly wish I had metal work talent!!

I wish had talent too. I'm glad Liverat does have the talent.

[oldiron]

Had a little fight with the alt. & power steering pump brackets. Bought both mounting brackets from the same manufacture with the understanding that they were compatible. NOT. The power steering pump filler ended up jammed tight to the bottom of the alt. bracket.
Then I remembered that a guy I know makes specialized parts for hot rods. Gave him a call and explained my problem, sent him some pictures with measurements and he made a bracket that drops the pump down so I can remove the cap. Thanks Chuck.

[oldiron]

Had a little misalignment on the body mounts.

Also a picture of the bottom of the tool box and the gas tank mounts.

[mongocanfly]

Turned out great....

[Lokin4AReason]

any update(s) .... ?

[oldiron]

Originally Posted by Lokin4AReason

any update(s) .... ?

Your timing is great.

Located the rear seat mounts.
Had to remove the mounts from the old floor. Clean the mounts and locate using the seat for proper location.

[geezer#99]

Saw your thread. Brought back some good memories.
Built a 56 back in 89. Started with a non running 150 with most of the parts piled inside. Had a 235 and a 3ott. Bought it in March, put it all togethor with a primer spray bomb paint job and drove it to a local car show in August. Tore it down that fall and off for paint in February. Bought a ton of new parts and back togethor in time for the show in August.
I put 210 trim on it.
Had it 10 years. Got stupid and sold it.
Here’s a couple pics of before and after.
Buddy of mine has a 56 nomad that’s red/white. He’s had it about 40 years now.
Sorry for the long ramble.
Just luv 56’s!

[oldiron]

geezer#99, Did the same with my first 56 sold it and regretted. Tried to buy it back but the new owner t-boned a cement truck the day after he bought it from me.

[oldiron]

Well worse fear came about this week. My friend and body man had cancer last year and the doctors thought they had stopped it. Well his last check up showed the cancer has returned with it spreading. He returned my car to me on Monday. I'm hoping for the best for him.
Now I need to find a shop that does the same quality of work for a honest price. Looks like it the project will be on hold for several months.

[mongocanfly]

man that cancer crap sucks...hope the best for him

[oldiron]

I have contacted 4 shops in the area to finish the metal work and painting.
Starting with the first two shops one couldn't get to it until July 2020. The next one wouldn't take it on as their body man was retiring and they couldn't find anyone who was qualified to do the work to the standards that they demanded.
The next shop estimated 600 hours of work and charged $90.00 per hour. That came out to $54000.00. That's just for 20% of the metal work left and the paint. And couldn't start until the end of Oct. or Nov.
Last one estimated 220 hours of work at $65.00 per hour. And I have seen many of the cars he has restored and modified and the workmanship is as good as the $95.00 per hour shop. He can't start until Oct. I will be going with number 4.