Working on a 1955 Chevrolet

On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:06:39 -0500, Ken Brown
wrote:

>I plan to start working on a 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery that my Dad
>bought new and I haven't driven or even started since 1991.
>
>I am looking for useful books and websites.
>
>I have rebuilt several engines, but long, long ago (early seventies to
>mid eighties), and I only turned the wrenches, my father supplied the
>brains, so I need to find books on 55 chevrolets as well as books on
>rebuilding engines, hopefully on as easy to understand level as the
>"_________ For Dummies" series.
>
>I am looking to make safe, dependable transportation of it while using
>as many original equipment parts as possible and doing as thorough a
>job as possible. For example, I hope to rebuild my original engine,
>but if not, I want to get a 235 to replace it.
>
>The two changes I plan to make are to convert it to an electronic
>ignition and 4 wheel disc brakes.
>
>I also need websites for information on original equipment parts
>numbers, specifications, and purchasing parts.
>
>I am not in a hurry; I want to do it right.
>
>Thanks in advance for any help anyone can be.

If you want to do it right, then it isn't a daily driver. Don't modify
the brakes, the ignition, or whatever--those changes will detract from
the value of the vehicle.

Also since (you say) you are limited in your skills (for now!) this
project, if done right, is a multi-year job.

Just do a proper frame off restoration. Don't replace the eninge with
something else--matching numbers will enhance the vehicle's value in
the future.
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On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:26:47 -0400, Robin Banks
wrote:

>On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:39:05 -0400, PeterD wrote:
>
>> If you want to do it right, then it isn't a daily driver.
>
>There's no reason that he can't "do it right" and use the car for daily
>driving. It's his car, he can do what he wants, no?
>
Heh. Talking to those who are convinced that any change from stock
lowers the value simply because *they* wouldn't pay as much is like
talking to a wall, Robin.
>
>> Don't modify the brakes, the ignition, or whatever--those changes will detract from
>> the value of the vehicle.
>
>It doesn't sound like he wants to show it, it sounds like he wants to drive
>it. That understood, the changes he wants to do make sense.
============================
Not only do they make sense, they will almost certainly make this car
worth more, not less. When properly done, the return on "resto-mods"
or whatever you want to call them is often--maybe even
usually--greater than the return on an investment in a bone-stock
restoration when time comes to sell. This would not apply, of course,
to certain rare or significant cars, but Handyman panels don't fall
into that class.

Joe
--
Heather & Joe Way
Sierra Specialty Automotive
Brake cylinders sleeved with brass
Gus Wilson Stories
http://www.brakecylinder.com
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On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:26:47 -0400, Robin Banks
wrote:

>On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:39:05 -0400, PeterD wrote:
>
>> If you want to do it right, then it isn't a daily driver.
>
>There's no reason that he can't "do it right" and use the car for daily
>driving. It's his car, he can do what he wants, no?
>
>> Don't modify the brakes, the ignition, or whatever--those changes will detract from
>> the value of the vehicle.
>
>It doesn't sound like he wants to show it, it sounds like he wants to drive
>it. That understood, the changes he wants to do make sense.

Certainly if he doesn't mind taking a car with some real collector's
value, and making it much less valuable... <g>

From what he describes, a one owner '55, he has something that if
properly restored is valuable. If he bastardizes it it will be worth
much less. I suppose he if wants to keep the parts he takes off (bet
he doesn't) for future restoration, that may be an option, but
regardless I don't see this as a smart move towards a daily driver.

If nothing else he'll not have an easy time getting proper insurance
(collision and comprehensive) if he daily drives it. Speciality
insurance companies won't allow daily driving, regular insurance
companies won't write either of those coverages for something that old
or unique.

My wife and I might put a 1000 miles on our collector vehicles a year.
They are not daily drivers... Instead we have vehicles that are much
newer, more comfortable, better equipped, etc., to drive daily. If the
OP doesn't have the mnney to do this, he certainly doesn't have the
money to properly restory the vehicle.
 >> Stay informed about: Working on a 1955 Chevrolet 

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 09:45:54 -0700, Heather & Joe Way
wrote:

>On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:26:47 -0400, Robin Banks
> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:39:05 -0400, PeterD wrote:
>>
>>> If you want to do it right, then it isn't a daily driver.
>>
>>There's no reason that he can't "do it right" and use the car for daily
>>driving. It's his car, he can do what he wants, no?
>>
>Heh. Talking to those who are convinced that any change from stock
>lowers the value simply because *they* wouldn't pay as much is like
>talking to a wall, Robin.
>>
>>> Don't modify the brakes, the ignition, or whatever--those changes will detract from
>>> the value of the vehicle.
>>
>>It doesn't sound like he wants to show it, it sounds like he wants to drive
>>it. That understood, the changes he wants to do make sense.
>============================
>Not only do they make sense, they will almost certainly make this car
>worth more, not less. When properly done, the return on "resto-mods"
>or whatever you want to call them is often--maybe even
>usually--greater than the return on an investment in a bone-stock
>restoration when time comes to sell. This would not apply, of course,
>to certain rare or significant cars, but Handyman panels don't fall
>into that class.
>
>Joe

Well, let's just say you and I don't agree on this point. Been there
both ways, and I'd not make the kind of changes that the OP proposes
unless I was doing a full custom.

As to value, the best we can say si that no restoration--original or
custom, is likley to return a profit.

Oh, and IMHO a Handyman panel *is* a rare or significant model in this
class... <bg>
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On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:06:39 -0500, Ken Brown
wrote:

>I plan to start working on a 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery that my Dad
>bought new and I haven't driven or even started since 1991.
>
>I am looking for useful books and websites.
>
>I have rebuilt several engines, but long, long ago (early seventies to
>mid eighties), and I only turned the wrenches, my father supplied the
>brains, so I need to find books on 55 chevrolets as well as books on
>rebuilding engines, hopefully on as easy to understand level as the
>"_________ For Dummies" series.
>
>I am looking to make safe, dependable transportation of it while using
>as many original equipment parts as possible and doing as thorough a
>job as possible. For example, I hope to rebuild my original engine,
>but if not, I want to get a 235 to replace it.
>
>The two changes I plan to make are to convert it to an electronic
>ignition and 4 wheel disc brakes.
>
>I also need websites for information on original equipment parts
>numbers, specifications, and purchasing parts.
>
>I am not in a hurry; I want to do it right.
>
>Thanks in advance for any help anyone can be.


Thanks for the information and the ideas; kind of like a philosophy of
car restoration.

The 55 will never be for sale in my lifetime.

I will save all the parts I take off and won't make any changes that
are irreversible.

It won't be a daily driver, more like a weekend driver to run errands
close to home.

I put a high value on safety and dependability.

Again thanks for all the replies so far.



On a different note, I've been thinking of two different vehicles I
let get away, actually gave away, that I wish I had kept to work on
when I gained a little more maturity and common sense. The first was a
1960 Simca Aronde my sister bought for $60, never drove, and gave to
me. It ran and ran and ran even though no one ever worked on it until
I stupidly took the engine apart for no good reason. And then life
happened or I lost interest or whatever and left the parts in a pile
in the trunk. We later gave it away. I can only blame youth and short
sightedness. Now it appeals to me because of its practicality and
total utilitarian nature--four door, big trunk, light weight, four
speed manual transmission, and 1200 cc engine.

The other one was a 1967 Chevy truck that ran good, but I couldn't see
myself driving for anything other than the limb and brush hauler it
had unfortunately become. If I had any sense, I would have kept it
for that, at least and would have it now to work on when I actually
enjoy working on cars.

Well, such are the errors of youth and such is life.



Ken
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PeterD wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:26:47 -0400, Robin Banks
> wrote:
>
>
>>On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:39:05 -0400, PeterD wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If you want to do it right, then it isn't a daily driver.
>>
>>There's no reason that he can't "do it right" and use the car for daily
>>driving. It's his car, he can do what he wants, no?
>>
>>
>>>Don't modify the brakes, the ignition, or whatever--those changes will detract from
>>>the value of the vehicle.
>>
>>It doesn't sound like he wants to show it, it sounds like he wants to drive
>>it. That understood, the changes he wants to do make sense.
>
>
> Certainly if he doesn't mind taking a car with some real collector's
> value, and making it much less valuable... <g>
>
> From what he describes, a one owner '55, he has something that if
> properly restored is valuable. If he bastardizes it it will be worth
> much less. I suppose he if wants to keep the parts he takes off (bet
> he doesn't) for future restoration, that may be an option, but
> regardless I don't see this as a smart move towards a daily driver.
>
Peter, Like the others I disagree with you. If he modifies the '55 it
will not be worth "much less" and it may be worth "much more". I have
built quite a few vehicles both ways over the years and I can tell you
from experience that they sell well both ways. Why do you think many
people are buying older restored cars and modifying them into street
rods and resto rods? I agree that he should keep any original parts he
removes from the car if he has room to store them.

> If nothing else he'll not have an easy time getting proper insurance
> (collision and comprehensive) if he daily drives it. Speciality
> insurance companies won't allow daily driving, regular insurance
> companies won't write either of those coverages for something that old
> or unique.
>
You are wrong on this statement too. I have three older vehicles that I
have full coverage on that I can drive whenever I want. One is a 1957
Ford Retractable Hardtop (this one happens to be stock). A 1939 Ford
Coupe with a 350 cubic inch chevrolet motor and auto transmission, and a
1967 Chevrolet Pickup with a 454 cubic inch engine & 400 turbo
transmission. All I had to do is declare a value on each one and have
one appraisal on each. Believe it or not this is through American Family
Insurance. Many of the regular insurance companies have changed their
policy on this after they realized how much money they were missing out
on....:^)

> My wife and I might put a 1000 miles on our collector vehicles a year.
> They are not daily drivers... Instead we have vehicles that are much
> newer, more comfortable, better equipped, etc., to drive daily. If the
> OP doesn't have the mnney to do this, he certainly doesn't have the
> money to properly restory the vehicle.
>
To each his own. I would rather drive the older ones daily myself.

I think he should update it and enjoy it.

My 2¢

Leon
 >> Stay informed about: Working on a 1955 Chevrolet 

On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:20:16 -0500, Leon Rowell
wrote:

>Ken,
>
>I haven't been on this forum but it might be a good place to start.
>
>http://www.trifive.com/forums/index.php
>
>Scroll all the way down to see all the different sections. The forums
>are a great place to get good information. You will have to register to
>be able to post questions but it looks like it's free.
>
>Leon

Thank you, Leon--looks like it will be very useful.
 >> Stay informed about: Working on a 1955 Chevrolet 

Ken Brown wrote:

> On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:06:39 -0500, Ken Brown
> wrote:
>
>
>>I plan to start working on a 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery that my Dad
>>bought new and I haven't driven or even started since 1991.
>>
>>I am looking for useful books and websites.
>>
>>I have rebuilt several engines, but long, long ago (early seventies to
>>mid eighties), and I only turned the wrenches, my father supplied the
>>brains, so I need to find books on 55 chevrolets as well as books on
>>rebuilding engines, hopefully on as easy to understand level as the
>>"_________ For Dummies" series.
>>
>>I am looking to make safe, dependable transportation of it while using
>>as many original equipment parts as possible and doing as thorough a
>>job as possible. For example, I hope to rebuild my original engine,
>>but if not, I want to get a 235 to replace it.
>>
>>The two changes I plan to make are to convert it to an electronic
>>ignition and 4 wheel disc brakes.
>>
>>I also need websites for information on original equipment parts
>>numbers, specifications, and purchasing parts.
>>
>>I am not in a hurry; I want to do it right.
>>
>>Thanks in advance for any help anyone can be.
>
>
>
> Thanks for the information and the ideas; kind of like a philosophy of
> car restoration.
>
> The 55 will never be for sale in my lifetime.
>
> I will save all the parts I take off and won't make any changes that
> are irreversible.
>
> It won't be a daily driver, more like a weekend driver to run errands
> close to home.
>
> I put a high value on safety and dependability.
>
> Again thanks for all the replies so far.
>
>
>
> On a different note, I've been thinking of two different vehicles I
> let get away, actually gave away, that I wish I had kept to work on
> when I gained a little more maturity and common sense. The first was a
> 1960 Simca Aronde my sister bought for $60, never drove, and gave to
> me. It ran and ran and ran even though no one ever worked on it until
> I stupidly took the engine apart for no good reason. And then life
> happened or I lost interest or whatever and left the parts in a pile
> in the trunk. We later gave it away. I can only blame youth and short
> sightedness. Now it appeals to me because of its practicality and
> total utilitarian nature--four door, big trunk, light weight, four
> speed manual transmission, and 1200 cc engine.
>
> The other one was a 1967 Chevy truck that ran good, but I couldn't see
> myself driving for anything other than the limb and brush hauler it
> had unfortunately become. If I had any sense, I would have kept it
> for that, at least and would have it now to work on when I actually
> enjoy working on cars.
>
> Well, such are the errors of youth and such is life.
>
>
>
> Ken
>

Ken,

There is a picture of my '67 Chevy pickup on this page. (personal page
with no ads or pop-ups) I have new chrome bumpers on it now and I would
rather drive this than anything I own. Chevy 454 & 400 turbo trans....
It's a hoot! & I'm 63 years old. Har "D" HarHar

http://showcase.netins.net/web/backtobasics/Current%20Vehicles/

Leon
 >> Stay informed about: Working on a 1955 Chevrolet 

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 22:27:17 -0500, Leon Rowell
wrote:


>There is a picture of my '67 Chevy pickup on this page. (personal page
>with no ads or pop-ups) I have new chrome bumpers on it now and I would
>rather drive this than anything I own. Chevy 454 & 400 turbo trans....
>It's a hoot! & I'm 63 years old. Har "D" HarHar
>
>http://showcase.netins.net/web/backtobasics/Current%20Vehicles/
>
>Leon

Great work.

I have a lot of respect for people who take care of what they have and
repair it rather than trade it in and buy new.
 >> Stay informed about: Working on a 1955 Chevrolet 

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> If nothing else he'll not have an easy time getting proper insurance
> (collision and comprehensive) if he daily drives it. Speciality
> insurance companies won't allow daily driving, regular insurance
> companies won't write either of those coverages for something that old
> or unique.
>
That depends on what state he lives in. Here in NC, I pay $430/year for
a '68 Camaro, and $416/year for a '55 Townsman wagon. The premium you
pay is based on the original sales price of the car in the year it was
made. The value you get if wrecked or stolen is the cash replacement
value, given you have documentation, pictures, offers, etc. I drive the
Camaro every day to work, except in the rare snow or tropical storm.
Once the '55 is done, my wife will be driving it just as much.

Keeping a great looking old car in a garage most of its life, is like
chaining a dog up in the yard. Pitiful.
 >> Stay informed about: Working on a 1955 Chevrolet