Project "Clarabelle" 55 Chevy

[sgaylord]

Now that Jezebel is done it's time for another project. Time to start working on the 55 Chevy that's been waiting for a few years now (almost 5).

In choosing names "Clarabelle" seemed fitting to be an older sister for "Jexebel", lol.

Anyway the plans are to not go all out like I did with Jezebel. More along the lines of a nice looking, clean, dependable cruiser none of us would be ashamed to drive.

This will be a fairly slow build as I gather parts.

Currently has

79 TransAm front clip complete with disk brakes, power steering, and sway bar.
Custom ladder bar rear suspension with coil overs

Plans include
Cleaning up the front clip install
Ditching the ladder bar rear suspension for 4bar/link and bags
Rebuild a 383 I have or retrofit a LS motor
Suede Seafoam Green paint (semi gloss)

Here is what she looked like when I first got her.


Here is where she is at as I get started.

[Kim57]

Nice looking truck to start with.
Kim

[sgaylord]

Kim57
Re: Project "Clarabelle" 55 Chevy
Nice looking truck to start with.
Kim

Thanks Kim, generally it is but there are a few areas that need attention. The frame has 60 years of welding and cutting that needs addressing. It needs inner cab corners, someone put new outer cab corners on over the rusted inner ones. I'm sure I'm going to find more as I dig into it.

Steve

[ricott]

I second Kim, nice base to start with (at least it appears to be all there). Loved your other project, although I never commented. Looking forward to seeing if you can just "fix" this one without going all out. My bet (hope) is it will be all out!

Ricky

[sgaylord]

ricott
Re: Project "Clarabelle" 55 Chevy
I second Kim, nice base to start with (at least it appears to be all there). Loved your other project, although I never commented. Looking forward to seeing if you can just "fix" this one without going all out. My bet (hope) is it will be all out!

Ricky

Thanks Ricky. I'm going to try real hard not to go all out. I don't have the cash for this one as I did Jezebel nor do I want to take the time to go to that level. We will see how it works out. We all know how these things grow, lol.

Steve

[sgaylord]

Got a question for the suspension experts. I want to replace the ladder bar/coil over setup for a 4-link/4-bar setup with bags. I want to be able to drop it low to the point of laying frame. Looking at the different setups I know I want to put the lower link bars outside of the frame with the bags inside. Whats your recommendation should I go with a panhard bar or triangulated? I have read many post on this but most answers vary. I am not into autocross, I just want something I can drop at a cruise or show.

My concerns with triangulated or panhard is how I would run my bags and my exhaust. Is that a real concern? Is there enough real estate to do lay out as low as I want? I know others have done this, I just need to see a pic to get it in my head how it's done.

Steve

[mcbassin]

Hey Steve, I'm glad I found your new project. sorry, I can't help you with your suspension questions.
I'm in for the long haul.

[sgaylord]

mcbassin
Re: Project "Clarabelle" 55 Chevy
Hey Steve, I'm glad I found your new project. sorry, I can't help you with your suspension questions.
I'm in for the long haul.

Thanks Mike. This one will be a slow build i'm afraid compared to Jezebel.