'57 Bel-Air Anyone?

[DoubleZero]

I'm looking for a needle in a hay-stack.............a rough '57 Chevy 2 door hard top Bel-Air to make a retro-version of my dad's '60's era late model, building the car by memory. As long as rust a'int overwhelming, I don't care how rough it is. Actually, the more gutted the body is, the better. The chrome, grill, windows, interior, all that stuff is not necessary. I need the basic body/fenders/hood/trunk and chassis. Rear end, front spindles can be missing too, I do need the A-frames and steering box. But it's gotta be a 2-door hard top..........I know, that's gonna be difficult find and expensive when found.

[capefear01]

I don't know how much your willing to spend but if you could pick up a ready made car you might save some money and a lot of time.
This 57 on ebay is sold but can give you an idea of what they're selling for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330279628471&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=

[DaveHFulton]

Wish you all the luck in the world finding that '57. They are special for all sorts of reasons and that would be so neat to reproduce your dad's car. The '57 Chevy was the first car I ever drove. My mom asked me what it meant in my high school yearbook when someone wrote, "You and me in the big 283!"

[archielm#7]

bobby between dillon and latta birdman miller has a feild full of 55 56 and 57 rough he has malcom georges 56 dhevy racecar that was wrecked at dillon back in the 70's 843 774 6713 if you dont get him call me 617 2644 and ill go down there hes only about 5 miles from me and give him your number

[DoubleZero]

Archie, I'll call the birdman, and if anything 'comes up' I'll get up with you and maybe we can go over and check it out. We should also go 'find' Marion Co. Speedway while we're moving around, take some photos! Thanks for the info, I'll call ya!

And Dave, you're right, I've got to find a 283 too, if I'm gonna get down to the nitty-gritty!

[DOCCALLAHAN]

ive got a 283 for a 57 chevy complete at my place pm me ill give you my number

[DaveHFulton]

building the car by memory.

Just curious as to whether you have any photos at all of your dad's car?

[DaveHFulton]

A little off of your original topic, but saw this pic of Rex White's '57 Chevy "Black Widow" posted on Legends of NASCAR website.

[DoubleZero]

Just curious as to whether you have any photos at all of your dad's car?

Dave, I have two (2) photos! But I can recall every single detail of the car: roll cage, shock mounts, how the fenders were trimmed, the fabricated dash panel, 3spd Hurst shifter...........everything!

The 'sideways' photo (I've got to re-scan and correct this shot) is THE original car. This shot was taken in 1967 by the track photographer at the Leland (NC) (near Wilmington) Raceway. Unfortunately, the car was totally destroyed, later that summer, in an aerobatic flipping crash. If you attended the Darlington Historic Festival, this past Labor Day, there was a dedication/presentation of a Tom Lupo retro '55 Chevy #83 late model. Anyway, Dad and Tom were battling/grinding/ down the frontstretch at Little River (SC) Raceway, Dad got on top of the retaining wall................ouch!

All the good stuff from the wrecked '57 was transferred to another one (we had SEVEN junked '57's in the backyard at the time! I'm not making this up, PLUS a 2dr. '55!) over the winter of '67-'68. Sadly, for me, the 'new' '57 was sold before it ever saw the outside of our shop. Felllow Little River racer, Larry Chandler, (Capt. Larry's Calabsh Seafood Restaurant) bought it, re-numbering it "37".

The second photo shows the "37" and our brand-new-at-the-time "74" Chevelle. This photo was from Little River Raceway, 1969, and was taken by a fan, and given to me a few years ago. So.............that's what I've got to work with, plus a lot of memories!

[archielm#7]

bobby any luck with getting birdman

[Kenny]

Hey guys,don't go down to birdmans without me!! I would love to get out there in that field around all those 55,56,and 57 chevys and just stand back and look!!! Bobby,i know we are a good ways apart (i'm in pinehurst) but i will meet ya just about anywhere to be able to ride with ya!!! And would get to meet "ole" Archie too!!!!

[w1ck3d0n3l0st]

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/899701686.html

[DoubleZero]

W1CK, Thanks for the Craig's list info!

Archie, and Kenny, I called Birdman, and he's got (at least) THREE Bel-Air hard tops suitlable for race cars. He parts 'um out, so they are already stripped down to the 'basic' body and chassis. According to Birdman, 'good' body parts, fenders, doors, hood, and trunk lids go for BIG bucks, BUT he thinks he can scrounge up some rough (cheaper) ones ..........if I'm interested! I'm planning on going over there NEXT Friday, Nov 7th. We can meet somewhere, and all go together...........he said to look for a '55 Chevy on top of a sign post on 301 south of Dillon! Shouldn't be too hard to find........and Archie, you're right, he's got a '55 Chevy (junked) race car #56............... if any of y'all are interested!

[capefear01]

Oh Rapid Roy that stock car boy
He too much to believe
You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes
Rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve
He got a tattoo on his arm that say Baby
He got another one that just say Hey
Oh Rapid Roy that stock car boy
He's the best driver in the land
He say that he learned to race a stock car
By runnin' shine outta Alabam'
And Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon in a '57 Chevrolet
He do a hundred thirty mile an hour, smilin' at the camera
With a toothpick in his mouth
He got a girl back home, name of Dixie Dawn
But he got honeys all along the way
And you oughta hear `em screamin'
For that dirt track demon in a `57 Chevrolet

-Jim Croce

[DoubleZero]

Jim,

Jim Croce wrote that song, loosely based on the life and times of Raymond Parks' driver, 'Rapid' Roy Hall.................of course the time setting is different, Rapid Roy's day was at least 10 years ahead of a '57 Chevy, and the Dalton county (GA) whiskey-trippers were always headed to Atlanta, instead of Oklahoma City............but I got the Jim Croce albumn, featuring 'Rapid Roy the Stock Car Boy' way back in 1974, just for that song! LOL!


(last verse)

"Oh the demolition derby, and the firgure eight
Is easy money in the bank
compared to running from the man
Into Oklahoma City
With a 500 gallon tank!"

[2dumb2kwit]

A little off of your original topic, but saw this pic of Rex White's '57 Chevy "Black Widow" posted on Legends of NASCAR website.

It's rare these days, to find anybody that even has a clue what a '57 black widow is/was.

They were before my time, but I love the 55-57 chevy's. I've owned a few '57's, but back in the day,(late 70's) my dad usually had 6 or 8 of them out back.

[capefear01]

Jim,

Jim Croce wrote that song, loosely based on the life and times of Raymond Parks' driver, 'Rapid' Roy Hall.................of course the time setting is different, Rapid Roy's day was at least 10 years ahead of a '57 Chevy

...and Rapid Roy Hall only drove Ford Flatheads instead of Chevy's.

[DoubleZero]

It's rare these days, to find anybody that even has a clue what a '57 black widow is/was.

They were before my time, but I love the 55-57 chevy's. I've owned a few '57's, but back in the day,(late 70's) my dad usually had 6 or 8 of them out back.


Gosh, I KNOW where you're coming from! My dad raced Chevy late models in the '60's and at one time, in our back yard: '57 Bel-Air hard tops (4), '57 2-dr. sedan (1), '57 4-dr. sedan (1), '55 2-dr. sedan (1), '55 4-dr. sedan (1), '56 Bel-Air hard top w/roll cage (1)

And now?............ LOL!

[archielm#7]

1977 when dillon reopened i had aperfect 55 2 door hard top ran pefect no rust fine car me and jimmie lee strickland cut it up and made a racecar need my a@# kicked:iamwithstupid:

[capefear01]

Something to think about and $500 to ship to NC

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=370107694851&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=024

Also, this #06 chevelle once driven by Soapy Castles is for sale. I seen it at the Darlington Historical show and spoke with the guy and he seemed pretty darn excited to own the car, can't imagine why he's selling it? It's a sweet ride though and they did a super job restoring it.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/896908894.html

[archielm#7]

Something to think about and $500 to ship to NC

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=370107694851&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=024

Also, this #06 chevelle once driven by Soapy Castles is for sale. I seen it at the Darlington Historical show and spoke with the guy and he seemed pretty darn excited to own the car, can't imagine why he's selling it? It's a sweet ride though and they did a super job restoring it.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/896908894.html
i know where a soapy 06 70 charger is but no sell he would give his wife up first i had the privilege know soapy and his main wrench Step these two were crazy as h#@# but fun to know and be around we visited his home in NC many times

[DoubleZero]

Check it out!

[BEAR]

now dat is nice rite der bet be hot when its done

[capefear01]

i know where a soapy 06 70 charger is but no sell he would give his wife up first i had the privilege know soapy and his main wrench Step these two were crazy as h#@# but fun to know and be around we visited his home in NC many times

If he won't part with the 70 charger here's another great find...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290274564144&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019