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When cult classic movie Two-Lane Blacktop was released in 1971, who could have guessed that a 1955 Chevrolet One-Fifty, which was one of two cars featured in the movie (the other was a 1970 Pontiac GTO), would generate so much interest nearly 45 years later? And at this past January’s Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, one of the three 1955 cars built for that movie would sell for $159,500?
My 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT has the 429 CJ C6 Automatic and Traction Loc 9” 3.00:1 rear end. It’s got factory air, power windows, PS, PDB, bucket seats, tinted windows, console floor shift with the spoiler gauge package, and a 140 mph speedo. It also has Ram Air, hideaway headlights, a chin spoiler, and Magnum 500 wheels.
I installed an Aluminum Blue Thunder chrome powder coated intake and also added a chrome powder coated high-volume Edelbrock water pump. I also installed Holman & Moody camshaft springs and lifters and a double roller timing chain and gear. The car has a little over 100K miles on it, so I added new main and rod bearings as well as rings a few years ago and also had the heads rebuilt so I could run unleaded gas. Port work on the heads was done and it also received a Pertronix electronic ignition and igniter coil with a 750 Holley carb.
Time: 2 hours
Tools: standard socket set, crankshaft socket, breaker bar, feeler gauge
Cost: approximately $50 for bearings and supplies
Tinware: quality set of replacement main bearings, Plastigage
Tip: If you plan to remove the crankshaft while leaving the rod and piston assemblies in the bores, attach a rubber band to a bolt on each rod and to a reinstalled oil pan bolt. This will keep the rods off to the side and from banging into the block when pulling the crank out.
Performance gains: a stronger, longer-lasting bottom end
This show-stopping ’56 Nomad sees lots of miles, and family smiles!
Story and photography by Curtis Hawk, Bloomington, IL
In 2007, I purchased a 1956 Nomad from a friend's wife after he had passed away. In 1968, my friend had stripped the car down and let it sit in his home garage with the intention of someday restoring it. He had traveled around each year, purchasing old original Nomad parts from the dealerships– when they were still available that is. I had been hoping to find an old Chevy truck to restore, and then I heard about this car...
Corvette aficionados won’t have much longer to wait: the National Corvette Museum’s Skydome will be reopening in a few short weeks. It’s been a long, daunting process, however.
We’ve kept you in the loop on the progress throughout construction, but we’re glad to see the project completed after a gigantic sinkhole opened up, swallowing a handful of special Corvettes.
This ’78 Z/28 was built on minimum wage and no candy bars!
Ever since I was a kid, I have been obsessed with cars– mainly Camaros and Corvettes. I collected them in Hot Wheels and Mattel versions, I built models of them, and I dreamed of one day owning a Camaro.
When I was a kid we were offered a candy bar a day or the money equivalent. I always took the money, my brother always took the candy bar! I had a savings account as a young kid. I sold aluminum cans and took care of all of my clothes and toys so that when I got tired of them I could sell them at a yard sale. I put all of this money into my savings.
Time: 1 hour (approximately)
Tools: socket set, flat-blade screwdriver, small putty knife or scraper, adjustable wrenches (optional).
Cost: (varied) approximately $100-$300
Tinware: center-hung float fuel bowls (if needed), metering block and hardware (sold as kit), metering jets, replacement gaskets, dual-inlet fuel line.
Tip: transfer the carburetor from the engine to a clean, open workbench. If you don’t have a carb stand, simply slide four bolts of your choice through the mounting holes in the bottom plate, and “nut” them up at the top. All you need is enough clearance for the levers and protruding linkage. (see photo #1)
Performance gains: increased fuel delivery and tuning accuracy.
Time: 1 hour
Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches
Cost: $175-200
Tinware: rear sway bar, sway bar mounting kit (includes bolts, washers, and necessary spacers)
Tip: Always be patient and take your time when measuring pieces for drilling. The correctly achieved results are well worth the extra steps.
Performance gains: a solid, well-planted rear suspension that works in unison with your front-end components
After washing your car, let the water flow heavily over the car. The water will sheet off and it will be much easier to dry as well as help avoid water spots.
Recommended: Heavy flowing water will help the excess water dissipate faster, making it easier for drying.
Not recommended: A light final rinse will leave plenty of water droplets to wipe down. If they’re not wiped off fast enough, water spots can result.
Back in 1974, we purchased our first (my second) 1957 Chevrolet. We had decided to buy a classic car that we could fix up as a daily driver. We were in the hunt for a ’57 2-door Sport Coupe. Most folks don’t remember the days when a hardtop was harder to come by than a convertible. That was the case, and we found a convertible that was solid enough to build what we had in mind. However, after a month of working on the car and not getting very far, we bought a really nice ’56 4-door Bel Air. It turned out to be more in line with what we needed, especially since we were starting our family.
