'57 Chevy Build

[rivera]

Hey guys, found this site from the HAMB, looks like theres more technical info here so maybe I can get one of my 1,000 questions answered. This is my first build on this scale, ordered a rebel wiring harness and a seat, looking for an under the bed gas tank solution. Heard a lot about early 60s Mustang tanks, has anyone actually done it? Here's my first post from the HAMB to make this a little more quick and easy...

Originally Posted by rivera

Well, after numerous threads, search and debate, I bought an old truck.





'57 Chevy Stepside with a 396 big block, Camaro front subframe, shaved doors, power steering, power brakes, new firewall, new Radial TAs on polished weld racing wheels, Z28 10 bolt posi rear end, turbo 350.. The best part?



POR-15 Frame

I bought it from a guy named Randy out here in South SLC. He was a talker, took out plenty of old photos of numerous Camaros he's built through the years. Showed me his shop, and proved to me that he knows what he's doing when it comes to these cars. Stand up guy. When I first saw the truck I was scared ****less, almost walked away. I've never had a project like this and I just thought that this would be impossible for me to ever complete. Randy was pretty motivated to sell, and my buddy and I got to talking about how we could make this work. Made an offer and it was done. Initially I wanted something that was ready to be daily driven, but we all know that is impossible to find in my price range when looking at classics like these. Since my biggest obstacle is finding the time to work on this truck I made a deal with my buddy, he gets my 396, I get his 305 and he'll do the labor on the truck to get it driveable. I'll help when able, but with school and work it will be pretty much him doing the work until winter and summer break. Now come the questions...

How will the Z28 rear end/Turbo 350 be for daily driving/mpg-wise?

Should I leave the shaved doors or get a set with handles? (I don't have any experience with the door poppers)

I need a bench seat. Best and cheapest place to go?

Like I said, this will be a build thread, slow, and low-budget. My plan is to make a solid truck good enough for daily driveability and hopefully get about 20 mpg. If you guys have any advice at all I would appreciate any and everything. Looking forward to becoming a more active HAMB member.

[Kim57]

Looks like a nice truck.
Your hood is a 57 but the grille and fenders are 55/56.
Kim

[crazychimpjimbo]

I new to this forum and Im jealous!!!

[entourageguy]

Good looking start.
I'd do a 88-98 chev full size seat. Lots around in different colours and styles. Mine is just basic bench reupolstered . Bolts in between raised sections of the floor.
rear end trans comb should be ok. Depends on the ratio gearing.

[1955 Eddie]

Welcome to the forum. It looks like a very solid start. Keep us posted!
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[Woodbutcher]

Mmmmm... truck looks like a good start to a fun project. You'll have more fun with it than you realize.

I'm putting a gas tank out of a '57 car. Fits great between the frame rails if you move the rear crossmember to the back of the frame... an easy modification. Tank fits like a glove and the tank inlet gives you the option of putting the filler neck to the rear fender instead of through the bed (seeing holes in the floor drives me crazy). Just my 2 cents.