"Pair of El Caminos" projects are coming right along, Biscayne "Basket Case" is back in mothballs.

Will start another thread on the 1966 Malibu Sport Sedan that Scot is working on soon.

As previously stated in the Elky thread, my first real car was a 1956 Bel Air 2 door post that was wrecked and partially repaired.

It was a 265, three speed on column. No other options to speak of. Crocus Yellow and Black.

I pretty much beat it up, destroyed it and ultimately parted it out. It was gone by the time I was 19.

Over the years, I had saved a bunch of parts, scrounged some, found a Bel Air Shell and planned on building another one.

Had that stuff, including a really solid 4 door hard top car to provide parts for a future build.

Also in that assortment, I had the R/R 1/4 panel that was partially installed on the original 56, I cut it off with a cold chisel and claw hammer.

Early 1980's, new house in Lakeville, newer Car for Vickie, new furniture, was house and car poor.

Had electric heat in house, gas came in later, winter electric bills were over $500.00 a month, too many payments.

Liquidated everything I had to stay afloat.

My 1956 dream became "Unfinished Business"

Ended up buying back the almost NOS 1/4 panel several years later, it had traveled some and been in several different pairs of hands.

Call it my "starter kit" as I had no other 1956 stuff.

As we are "all about the hunt" I started acquiring 1956 stuff once my "Treasure Chest" was built.

The Containers allowed me to just start filling them with no plan. Now have four 1956 post cars, one four door, three 2 two doors, one with a title.

Wrestled with driveline choices, decided that a 1996 Corvette LT-4 drivetrain and suspension would provide the power and handling I wanted. 

That is why I also have three Corvettes, one 1995 and two 1996 cars, one is LT-4.

Sooo, starting out with seven (7) vehicles to provide options.

I tend to play the "Long Game" just have to live for several more years.

Auction in Iowa provided another puzzle piece last year.

This is my "Basket 56" with title and a bunch of parts. Picture shows the car prior to when it was taken apart.

Bought the car, rotisserie and the parts pile. Roger and I used two trailers to bring it "Home"

Basically a "Pile of Bones" with title.

The adventure continues.

Karl

Cat's out of the bag now...

We need to, somehow, get 30 years younger to finish all the "things" we have started.

1980's and electric heat... been there. Had a split entry with a wood stove in the lower level to keep the cost under $300/month. Owned 10 acres with woods at the back. Plenty of dead falls and standing but a LOT of work to harvest the fuel.

Have one item already complete!

I haven't verified, but I think the dark green on the body was not original.
Is dark maroon underneath.
Need to check Fisher body tag.
It is in a bag somewhere.

I always wanted a red and black one.
I never liked the Crocus yellow.
I am mellowing with age though.
I used to call it baby s**t yellow.

Frame to be modified is on trailer, crossmember is going out for chemical stripping.
Need to haul to Colorado for stub frame and modifications.

Karl

more ambition than brains wrote:

---

I always wanted a red and black one.
I never liked the Crocus yellow.
I am mellowing with age though.
I used to call it baby s**t yellow.

---

My '55 was "Harvest Gold" (yellow) with white top and turquoise & beige interior... awful combination. 

I've never been much of a fan of yellow either, but for now it's going to stay. Eventually if I ever do a full resto on it, I want to paint it '66 GM "Aztec Bronze" 

more ambition than brains wrote:

I always wanted a red and black one.

---

 With Cortez Silver highlights somewhere, to commemorate the donor...

Those are the colors, however, Bel Air trim and colors reversed.
If I am going red/black, hood must be red.

Karl

Donor Car/Parts

Scattered all over the Shop.

LT-1 motor did run, will use for Mock-up after Frame returns from Colorado.

Karl

This is why Mitch was talking about Cortez Silver.

ITZHIZZ is the LT-4 model, manual 6-speed, other is LT-1 automatic, both anniversary cars, Run, Drive complete units.

Bought the LT-4 two years ago, LT-1 this spring

Insured too many drivers this summer to include those for testing purposes..

All summer fleet in storage now, Comprehensive coverage only.

Hopefully I can scrounge enough other parts and not cut them up.

In the hunt for 1996 LT-4 engine package.

May have one located in Michigan, passed on one in Georgia.

I have time.

Then I can just re-sell the Anniversary cars.

Karl

I would look into this kit to delete the distributor on that lt4. They can tend to be troublesome. 

https://www.eficonnection.com/home/category/engine-hardware/crank-and-cam-signal-kits/efi-24x-product-line/efi-24x-lt1lt4

Corvette donor and potential future possibilities.

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!

Took Seamless frame and one regular frame to fort Collins Colorado.
Will be having custom stub frame and mounts for Corvette drivetrain/suspension conversion.

Pictures show jigs and equipment he uses.
He has a 1956 Nomad of his own he is also doing.
His fussy factor is similar to John Delke.

Name of company is Classic Edge Designs.
Lazlo, is owner, he is trying to wind down business and move to Montana.

He has done over 100 of the front stub frame fabrications.
Seems to do very nice work.

Buffy (dash picture) is my Road Trip buddy.
Roger and I snuck out there Monday, back Wednesday afternoon.

Fun trip, really nice guy.
Looking forward to outcome.

These pictures are of the 1956 Nomad my Frame fabricator is building.

A level of detail that is AMAZING!

John D. should approve of the color combo.

Are these bc/cc paints of the original Sierra Gold and India Ivory ? The Ivory appears to have a hint of pearl in it, unless it's just the lighting.

Definitely Pearl on the Ivory, probably Tri- stage on both.

Gorgeous, almost the best finish i have ever seen.

Pictures do not do it justice.

Karl

Have another picture of Body on frame, side shot.

File corrupted, cannot get it to move over.

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Wednesday 17th of March 2021 07:07:21 PM

Front frame stub us built, Corvette crossmember fitted and welded in place.

Small block motor mounts fabricated, fitted and installed.

No major progress here except I did sell the LT-4 Vette.
I learned what I needed to know by driving it.

Mounts in subframe are for traditional small block, if I move far beyond that configuration, there are multiple conversion mounts available.
ITZHIZZ was too nice, complete and unmolested to carve up.

When I bought the green 1995 Vette it gave me everything needed for the suspension conversion. (at far lower cost)
I will review drivetrain options AFTER all suspension and steering is mocked up.
Pretty sure that will be at least another year from now considering my other irons in the fire.

Still have the other 1996 Vette to verify assembly. That one is complete, runs, drives, has salvage title.

Don't really know why on the branded title, but for my purposes it is all I really need. Now I have only six (6) cars for the Shoebox project instead of seven.

Current priorities:

Get modified shoe box frame back from builder. (Sometime in July or early August) Strip balance of suspension from green Vette.

My 2005 Silverado is awaiting oil pump and O-ring, and install 2 rear flares. Couple of weeks out. Then that one is done, wheels are reconditioned, new Michelins mounted and on truck.
Procure Metal dumpster, cut up at least three (3) Suburbans.
Still want to get 4:10 rear end under Biskwik.
Also rear spare differential (3:73) for Scot's Malibu is being freshened.

That other, colder, icy season is only 4 months away. (sorry)

Still plan on selling 2wd, white, dry, no rust Suburban this summer. Couple of detail items remaining prior to listing.
The three of us have a lot to do.

I don't want to think about the "other" season being only 4 months away. I'm so far behind, it looks like I'm in the lead...

Getting serious again.
Moved Donor shell out of stall, placed on Stands.

Now drop rear suspension and harvest other stuff i think i will need.

Then shell will get planted on old snowmobile trailer, covered and set outside.

Carrier assy. removed all together.

It is a Dana 44 HD as hoped.

Now strip a couple more items, swap top from other silver 1996 silver Vette. and set on snowmobile trailer for storage.

Will cover with tarp, still may need some pieces.

Carrier assy. clean and wait for modified frame to come home from Colorado.

Karl

A couple mor pictures of the Corvette storage loading.

Roger suggested reversing body on trailer, made sense as far as balance goes.

Some shots of that plus the crash to floor

More pictures of load.
Can get a lot done if not too worried about scratches.
Cable puller 101, plus skates.

Cable pullers to coach in place.

Used engine hoist on front, skate center rear, blocked up middle when in place.

THE BONEYARD

Fitting front clip, and rear carrier

Good to see it's coming together..

This is not a "Mickey Mouse" job however we did have some indication of "Rodent" guests inside frame rails.

He sent me a picture of his Nomad project too, will try for more when there, Roger and I leaving tomorrow to rescue frame, back Thursday.

They finished it up last Saturday, excited to see final product.

Will post more pictures when we return.

Plan is that all suspension, steering, differential from 1995 Vette, pretty much bolts right in.

He supplies a hardware kit for the fasteners that cannot be re-used.

Fuel system plumbing and tank, brake plumbing, master cyl. and booster need to be roughed in and figured out.

When that is resolved, and frame to floor clearances are verified   we can graduate to drivetrain decision.

My 4 door sedan shell will be carved up a bit leaving floors and cowl to use as fit template for those systems and ultimately balance of drivetrain.

That is the "plan" until it changes.

Karl

No powder coat until EVERYTHING is fitted and mocked up.
That includes drivetrain TBD.

More Nomad pictures

Back from Fort Collins Colorado.
Rained all the way through Iowa and Minnesota on the way back, therefore the new bare metal is gaining the same patina as original frame.
Some Pictures:

These are shots of Builder and his 1956 Nomad, in process for a while.

Reminds me of my Blue Elky timeline, but his car is INCREDIBLE!

His anal pucker factor is significant!

Amazing build, amazing guy!!

My Frame pictures next post.

He and his son:

Cleared all old hardware, installed replacement mounts for C-4 suspension front and rear.

Modified, fitted and installed front C-4 crossmember.

Now back in my court for assembly of suspension an everything else.

I am beyond pleased with the outcome. Have to love the welds.

I can only weld if there is a grinder nearby to "dress" my miserable effort.

His son is the welder.

I may have my sandblaster give it a shot, so i can dust some epoxy or something on it, it is too pretty to stare at the rust.

Karl

OK, now committed on engine.
Purchased a 30,000 mile 1996 LT-4 drop in package from a wrecked Vette.
Car was pristine, damage to left rear.

Have been watching for possible engines since I sold the other 1996 Anniversary LT-4.
Trying to find a low enough mileage unit so it dos not have to be "refreshed"
Hopefully this is the one.

Should arrive in a couple of weeks from Ohio.
Now, l need a Chevy bolt pattern 200R4 core to either get built locally or use as core for exchange.
Going with Overdrive automatic, I can shift Biskwik if I have the urge.

Pretty sure my Tranny Shop buddy Duane can loan me a bare core for mocking up and fitting drivetrain and suspension.
Most major decisions are made now on Engine, transmission, differential, steering and suspension for this 56.

Fuel system, brake system will evolve as I move forward.
My Frame builder in Colorado can fill in a lot of knowledge voids on best choices.

Busy prepping Treasure Chest for the next season.
Ron will be working on the Blue Elky, Scot on his G-body, I will split time between Blue Elky, "1956LT4" chassis and some Suburban projects.

Onward and upward!
Karl

What is this "should arrive" stuff. You're not going to fetch it ?
I will have your trailer back later this week...   Locker is empty, just need to get the last load out and on the shop floor.
You're not limited to the Chev bell pattern. Many of the BOP/Cad 200's are dual pattern with Chev too. Both of mine are dual pattern. The one in the '38 is out of an '86 Cadillac.

Thank You for the information on the 200r4.
Not in that big of a hurry on LT-4 motor.
Busy clearing, organizing and prepping for our upcoming climate adjustment.

Making progress.
I think I have my seasonal parking locations identified.

Already have my little JD 530 at Frontier Power Equipment have mower deck serviced, removed and changed over to the "other" use.
JD 530 sits at house, JD 580 goes in next (after last mow at TC) for fall service, no changeover, just ready for spring..

With Vickie's issues it is waaaay cheaper to pay the $250.00 to have the Motor shipped.
24 hour care gets costly.

Hope the trailer worked out well on your end, no problem on mine.

In another 30 days all shuffling should be done,

Then back to Projects.

As I am digging through containers, I keep finding things I need for Big Block Elky and 1956 LT-4 Vehicles. 

Karl

Frame went to sandblast last week.
He also epoxied it to protect.
Picked up today.

See the smiling Sandblaster/primer specialist.

Now start bolting together.