Subject: 57-56-55 CHEVY LISTL
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 14:22:53 -0500
From: BOB FORD <BOB_FORD@compuserve.com>
To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com

THIS IS THE 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST FOR
FEB 1, 2004

IF THIS E-MAIL HAS AN ATTACHMENT, IMMEDIATELY DELETE THIS E-MAIL.

THIS LIST IS DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE 1955, 1956,
AND 1957 CHEVROLETS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVE A
LITTLE FUN IN THE PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME.

TO POST SOMETHING ON THIS LIST PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR POST TO
BOB_FORD@COMPUSERVE.COM

THERE IS NO COST TO BECOME A LIST MEMBER AND ONLY LIST MEMBERS ARE
ALLOWED TO POST SOMETHING ON THE LIST.

THIS 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST IS NOT SENT OUT ON ANY SET SCHEDULE SO IF YOU
WANT TO POST SOMETHING THAT CONTAINS A DATE, PLEASE SEND IT IN EARLY
SO I CAN GET IT OUT TO THE LIST MEMBERS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE EVENT.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CITY AND STATE WITH YOUR POSTS. IF YOU ARE
POSTING SOMETHING FOR SALE PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE

1. YOUR PHONE NUMBER
2 THE PRICE
3. WHEN YOU WILL BE AT YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND YOUR TIME ZONE.

TAKE AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU WANT AND FULLY DESCRIBE WHAT YOU HAVE
FOR SALE OR WANT TO BUY.

YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS LIST ARE WELCOME.

IF YOU WANT TO SEND ME E-MAIL THAT YOU DO NOT WANT ON THE LIST
PLEASE PUT "PRIVATE NOT FOR THE LIST' AS THE SUBJECT.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS LIST ARE THE MEMBERS OPINIONS AND NOT
NECESSARILY MINE. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OUT ANY MATERIAL NOT
APPROPRIATE FOR THIS LIST.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AS THE LAST THING ON YOUR E-MAIL.

IF YOU BUY SOMETHING FROM A LIST MEMBER, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT I HAVE
NO WAY OF KNOWING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT OR THE HONESTY OF THE
SELLER. BUYER BEWARE.

BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF A VIRUS, PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS
WITH YOUR E-MAIL. E-MAIL WITH ATTACHMENTS WILL NOT BE READ.

THANKS
BOB FORD
EDITOR
__________________________________________________ ____________________
To: [unknown], Bob_Ford
From: INTERNET:Vetthead80@aol.com, INTERNET:Vetthead80@aol.com

Bob; I'm looking for anyone in your membership that has used the RB's front

clip conversion on their Tri 5 cars. This clip adapts 78 thru 88 Monte,
Grand
Prix Cutlass and Regal suspension parts to their sub frame. Any feedback
pro or
con would be appreciated. They can Email me
at..........vetthead80@aol.com.....also please put me on the
list.........Thanks for your help in
advance......George


Philadelphia Pa

55 210 Delray Cpe.
---------------------------------------
To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: Little South Fork Ranch, INTERNET:lsfork@bloomnet.com

Hello Bob & List members , Wow , Any one that thinks $50,000 to $70,000
is high for tri-five Chevy convertibles, they should have watched the
Barrett-Jackson Auction Televised on speed channel Thursday,Friday and
Saturday . How about the 1956 chevy Belair CVT for $210,000.00 or the
58 impala CVT for $104,000.00 Or how about the 2 door POST 150 for just
under $50,000.00 , And they think that the Bob Ford list is the cause of
High priced cars ??? Come on now guy's , The real reason for high priced
1950's cars is, They will never make 1950's cars again . Or 1960's or
70's .Thanks for all you do Bob , A service of REAL VALUE . Ernie C in
Nebraska
------------------------------------
To: "BOB FORD", BOB_FORD
From: "John Knight", INTERNET:jknight@TEI-NET.com

Bob,
Can any of your readers tell me how many '57 fuel injected 2door Bel Air
hard tops were produced? If no one has the specific info, a lead on
where I can find the info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a million for posting this inquiry at the appropriate time.
P.S. If you could let me know when you post this question, I would
really appreciate it. Thereafter, I will make it a point to "study" your
newsletter rather than browsing it. Many thanks from a reader whom
really appreciates the time, heart, and soul that you obviously put into
this valuable resource!
John
John W. Knight
jknight@tei-net.com
(o) 210-690-1958
(m) 210-862-5858
(f) 210-690-3621
(h) 210-698-7778
John

Editors note. This is the info some nice list member sent me some years
ago.
What was a surprise to me was the 5 sedan Delivery s that had fuel
injection.
While were are on the subject can some on weigh in on this? I have heard
that fuel injection
on the 57 had many problems and were often replaced with carbs. What were
the problems
and if there were problems them, to the remaining one still have these
problems.

BOB




The production figures for RPO-578 fuel injected passenger cars is as
follows:

Nine Pass. Station Wagon 1
150 four door Sedan 3
Bel Air 4dr Sedan 4
Sedan Delivery 5
Six Pass Station Wagon 6
210 4dr hdtp 10
210 4dr Sedan 17
150 Business Coupe 22
Bel Air 2dr Sedan 40
210 Delray Coupe 46
Bel Air covertible 68
210 2dr hdtp 85
Nomad 109
150 2dr Sedan 156
210 2dr Sedan 434
Bel Air 2dr hdtp 524

Total 1530
-----------------------------------
From: INTERNET:cdmhenry@earthlink.net, INTERNET:cdmhenry@earthlink.net
Date: 1/24/2004, 12:21 PM

All,
Thought this might be of some interest.
CDM

http://www.fifth-essence.com/archive...2003/index.htm

Editor's note. Great Pictures.
BOB
-------------------------------------
To: "'BOB FORD'", BOB_FORD
From: "Mike Novins", INTERNET:mike@calwest-radiators.com

DEAR BOB,
Cal West Auto Air & Radiators,IS RUNNING A VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL.
BUY THE NEW 15" OE TYPE STEERING WHEEL WITH SHIPPING FOR THE LOW
PRICE OF $ 325.00 AND RECEIVE A Chevy BOW-TIE PEN FREE.ALSO
ASK ABOUT OUR OTHER PRODUCTS.CALL TOLL FREE AT (800)535-2034.

Thanks,
Big Mike
-----------------
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: Tom Ordway, INTERNET:mrfi57@yahoo.com

There was some misinformation given out in a previous
list. The exhaust manifolds on the early engines were
painted along with the rest of the metal on the
engine. They look like they were natural, not painted
because the extreme heat burned the paint off except
where the manifolds were cooled by the heads and on
the generator mounting extension.
For the guy that was asking about his '56 Carter 4
barrel, it is true that all the 4 barrel stick cars
were Carter carbs, but the automatics had both
Rochester and Carter carbs, the Carter being referred
to in the books as the performance carburetor. The
1098 tells me that it is an early model with the first
design (short) choke housing.
For the guy that was asking about crankshafts for 283
engines, all 283s were steel cranks until '63. The
forging # is 236, same for '57 265. If you are going
to use later (larger beam) rods, you can get an 822
forging that was used in the later 283s to keep your
balancing close.If you are looking for quicker revving
and don't mind a slightly weaker but lighter crank,
look for a '55-'56 crank(forging # 266). Good Luck.
Tom Ordway
57 Corvette, 150 wagon, V8 150 business coupe( will be
black widow), V8 150 sedan, 210 2dr wagon, BA HT, etc.
--------------------------
To: "Bob Ford", bob_ford
From: "Glassoff, Marc A CIV", INTERNET:marc.glassoff@navy.mil

Hi Bob-
A couple of weeks ago I responded to the discussion about the Pontiac
Tempest. However, in reviewing my sent mail, I noticed it was directed in
error to a different Ford on my other distribution, so here it is if it's
not too out of date....
I enjoyed your info on the Pontiac Tempest no end. Why? Because as a
college freshman in 64, I got to drive the family 63 Tempest a couple days
a week in a car pool.
This was the new body style and looked great, but oh what problems, mainly
with the trans. It would never shift right and the 4 cylinder engine was
kinda loud. Most of the time I was dropping it off at the dealer to get
fixed on the way to school. We only had it about a year. And guess what we
gave up to get it? A 62 Corvair that I loved. Parents do strange things!
Best Regards and Great job on the list.
Marc Glassoff, Escondido, CA

Editor's note. When I worked at a car dealership many years ago, I was
told to never buy a new car design the first year. It took at least that
long to get the bugs out. Can anyone relate to that?
BOB
---------------------------------------------------
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:WSSmolick@aol.com, INTERNET:WSSmolick@aol.com

FOR SALE: used NAPA Tenneco gas shocks. Have less than 1000 miles. $35
for all four or $20 a pair. Excellent used 4dr wagon door window upper or
lower trim strips, restored or unrestored.

Wyatt S. Smolick
WSSmolick@aol.com
Coopersburg, PA
------------------------
To: [unknown], INTERNET:underrail@msn.com
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:five7man@juno.com, INTERNET:five7man@juno.com

From: "Joseph Rock", INTERNET:
I was wondering if anyone on the list knows of a site (or more than one)
to look up GM part numbers Other than the local dealers parts counter.


Joseph,
Go to Google.com or Ask Jeeve's .com and do search for "GM Parts".
You will be surprised at how much is out there.
For used parts try car-part.com.
Good Luck
Ken Mueller II
-------------------------------------------------------
To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: GARY Katsaris, INTERNET:Garyk007@webtv.net

hi bob happy new year from the garage in orange ihave a nice 1957
belair hdt for sale body off restoration fuel injection . iam
looking for 1954 thru 1958 chevys i have a lot of customers
looking for these cars phone gary at the garage classic cars 714
5322290 thanks bob for alll the great cars on your list gary k

Editor's note. If you are in Southern California, drop by Katella and Main
in Orange and see Gary's cars. He has some great cars. You will enjoy
talking to Gary.
Tell him you are a member of this list. If you have a 54 to 58 Chevy you
want to sell
you might be able to work out a deal.
BOB
-------------------------------
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:RWFLURY@aol.com, INTERNET:RWFLURY@aol.com

HI BOB;
I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION TO A WINDSHIELD WIPER EXTENDING TOO FAR
ON
THE DRIVERS SIDE OF A 55 CHEVE PICK-UP. THE ARM CONNECTION FROM THE MOTOR
TO
THE SWIVEL HOUSING THAT GOES THROUGH THE COWEL EXTENDS TOO FAR AND MAKES
THE
WIPER BLADE EXTEND AROUND THE WRAP AROUND GLASS. DOES ANYONE IN THIS GROUP

HAVE A SOLUTION ?
THANK'S IN ADVANCE
DICK RWFLURY@AOL.COM.
-------------------------------------------------
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:Rickroer1@aol.com, INTERNET:Rickroer1@aol.com

Still have a fresh(100 mles) 4bbl Carb #8737 @ $120.00; Power Steering
Generator @ $75.00; Treadle-vac power brake unit @ $75.00; 265 cid engine/
trans. complete/ driver @ $500.00. Please, local interest only-(Orange
County,Calif. 92867) please contact Rickroer1 @ aol.com or (714) 532-2649.
-----------------------------
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:WILLYHUAZ@aol.com, INTERNET:WILLYHUAZ@aol.com

Hi Bob,
In reference to the 61 SS Impalas, there were many 61 SS Impalas built, but

only around 300 with the 360 HP 409s. The 61 SS Impala could be ordered
with a
348, 327 or a 283. The SS trim package was just that. The 409s were not
available until the middle of 1961. As far as one guy mentioned about a
phony
409, the word is "clone". Anyone who builds a 409 knows how much time and
money
it takes to build one, even if it is a clone. Just climb in one and take
off, you will see there is nothing phoney about it. I lucked out and found
an
original 409 Bel Air hardtop. When I restored the car I updated the
carbueration, camshaft, headers and ignition. Does that make it a phony?
Bill Hughes
willyhuaz@aol.com
--------------------------------------------------
To: "BOB FORD", BOB_FORD
From: "B Ellis", INTERNET:bellis@4state.com

Happynew year to everyone. Cold here in KS today. All the questions on
vin #'s . I looked at both titles on our 57's. the sedan has the vc in
front of the number. The convertible has none in front but says 57N then
the rest of the 6 numbers. Did they do them different on the convertibles
or what. Everything matches, with no trouble taging and titling it years
ago. Thanks to everyone. Betty in SE KS.
---------------------------------------------
To: "BOB FORD", BOB_FORD
From: "Charlie", INTERNET:chas108@weir.net

> To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
> From: "carol woodhead", INTERNET:carnevil@bigpond.com
>
>
> Hi Bob i have a question for you or any one on the list can answer it ??
> door tag on a 57 coupe reads VB57A_ _ _ _ _ _ is this a factory 6 cyl
210
> ?? or a Belair ??
> The car is in full Belair dress has all the badges trim and stainless to
> suggest it is a belair.
> However i have purchased a copy of- Chevrolet 57 Restoration guide by
> Aregood Oakley Umphenour and this book tells me its a 210 a little
> confusing as the Florida Title states Belair on it ?? .
> Hope you can help, the list is great.
> Kindest regards Neville.


Bob, first of all thanks for the back lists from when my Email was down.

Second, the Restoration Guide of which Neville speaks is an excellent!!!
source of material, most all of it reprinted from GM archives. The dealer
service bulletins are reprinted toward the back of the book...the wiring
diagrams are all in there. I'd consider this a must book, right alongside
the factory service manual, assembly manual, and CCI's "How to Restore
Your 1957 Chevy".

Neville, your car is indeed a 210. Also it originally came with a V8, and
was built in Atlanta. Your title may say "BelAir" for a number of
reasons...
perhaps the car from outside Florida, perhaps from a state that had no
title laws at the time it came into Florida (many states including New York
and Vermont used the registration as proof of ownership until the 60's,
New York instituted titling in 1972) and in filling out the paperwork for
a Florida title a previous owner listed your 210 as a BelAir. It may be
as simple as that. I do remember as a kid, back in the 60's, my aunt
and uncle had a '60 Impala convertible...Pennsylvania titled as a '64.

So the title isn't necessarily a foolproof way to identify the model of
your vehicle. At least not something from before the days of databases
and Carfax.

If your car were indeed an original 6-cylinder BelAir, your VIN prefix
would read "C57A", not "VB57A". The "V" denotes a V-8 equipped car.

'57 BelAir conversions are common. Usually they're easy to spot
because the owner only put the stainless inserts in the rear quarters
and didn't put the long spears on the rear, or change to the full window
trim. In contrast, it sounds like you have a pretty thorough conversion,
only notable as a 210 by the VIN.

Hope this helps!
---------------------------------------------------
To: [unknown], Bob_Ford
From: INTERNET:Thaddspad@cox.net, INTERNET:Thaddspad@cox.net

Bob...A couple of things.

1.)Someone asked about Water Wetter...My experience. We had just completed
our Model A and taken it to the Western Street Rod Nationals at
Bakersfield.Cruisin' the fairgrounds ran the temp gauge up to over 210º,
and
it was making me nervous. I went to the vendors building and bought some
Water Wetter and put it in the radiator. The cruisin' temp then stayed at
between 180 and 190º the rest of the week-end. I have used it a lot since
then, and it has really helped on borderline cooling systems....

2.) I have for sale a pair of Chevy Bow-Tie 282 Turbo heads. These heads
were available only from Chevy or GMPP. This pair has been professionally
ported and polished; I have the flow chart around here somewhere, but I
recall that the .500 number was 265 CFM...These are iron heads that have
angle plugs; this pair has 2.08 Manely SS intake valves and 1.65 exhaust
valves. The springs are 1.55 diameter triple springs suitable for use with
a
solid roller cam. The heads have 7/16 screw in studs and hi-dollar guide
plates. These heads were run for one day on a 406 sbc in a Super Gas car at
2300#, and made 5 or 6 passes all in the low 9's. I got them for my blower
motor, but the new headers wouldn't work with the angle plugs so I bought a
set of straight plug heads. I have close to $600 in them, but would be
happy
to get $450 for them. Figure freight from 90505. Call me at 310 373-7191.

3.) I know that it is not for a tri-5, but I sure would like to find a 4
BBL
intake for a 300" Buick. I also would consider a re-buildable 340" Buick.
Contact me at Thaddspad@Cox.net or 310 373-7191
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:Karfitter@aol.com, INTERNET:Karfitter@aol.com

To Sam In OK and anyone that is interested.
I am also building a 55 Gasser. Straight Axle, 327 ci, Hilborn Injection
and
the whole nine yards. I have a dual leaf spring axle out of a 69 chevy van,

can anyone tell me if the brakes etc from a camero will work on the van
axle.
Does anyone know of a place where I can get 55 Nomad Quarters. I need to
radius
the rear wheel openings and dont want to butcher the car. This car is a
210, 2
dr sedan but we are smoothing it up to the 150 look. I am also looking for
a
55 glass front end. I have a glass hood but would like to find either a
pair
of glass fenders or a 1 piece. I do know where to buy them new but Im not
real
particular as this car will be raced on the nostalgia circuit. I also run a

1970 front engine dragster, 331 c. i., hilborn injected, jr. fueler. the
1965
327 runs 8.90's at 146 mph. I would recommend to any and all on this list
to get
involved with your local nostalgia drag racing clubs and help support the
preservation of racing REAL cars. Oh and ps. My tow car is a 55 Belair 2dr
ht, pw,
ps, pb, 265 2bbl. power glide auto. I also will buy aluminum glides and
small
journal motors in the local area. I live in DE but I work in Baltimore,
Annapolis, and Washington DC areas everyday. Im looking for a decent body
and paint
shop in this area as well.
Thanks again for the list Bob, We all love you for it.
Kevin Rogers
karfitter@aol.com
Georgetown, DE
MANDRA / Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Drag Race Association
---------------------------------------
To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:chevyman@drtel.net, INTERNET:chevyman@drtel.net

Hi Bob
Still doing a great job, Thanks again for the 55 CD, it was very
interesting. Please list this for me. Wanted 1956 front left accessory
bumper
rap around. Am missing this piece, have 55 piece to trade.
Thanks
Jim
-------------------------------------
To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: Glenn Krumm, INTERNET:gekrumm@veracom.net

Did you check it warmed up and running, which is the way you are supposed
to check tranny fluid? If it wasn't, the fluid drains back into the pan
and comes up on the stick, which would then read over full (which may be
why they had the "burping" problem) even though it was low. You do add it
in the same place. Glenn

At 10:15 PM 1/16/04 -0500, you wrote:
>What am I missing? Where else can you check the transmission fluid on this
>car?
>Also, I thought that you added transmission fluid in the same place.
--------------------------------------
To: "BOB FORD", BOB_FORD
From: "F Leonard", INTERNET:fleonard@stny.rr.com

I too have one of those rare frames missing the VC to identify it as
belonging to my V-8 Bel Air. Oh, that's right, frames didn't contain those
letters as some silly person at the frame fabrication plant couldn't
remember which model he was building the frame for that day. Probably a
drug or alcohol abuser.
-----------------
From: Editor

As most of you can imagine, I had many more requests for the companion
airline tickets than I had. All of the companion tickets have been sent
and received. If you did not get one, I am sorry. I wish I had more.


Some info for people buying a car on E-bay. Most cars sold on e-bay now
have a 1 month, 1000 mile warranty
with a maximum limit of $10,000. If you plan to buy a car on e-bay, check
to see that it has the warranty.


You may be getting a lot more e-mail now. There is a Virus that is sending
out e-mail to everyone in your address book. I urge you NOT TO OPEN ANY
ATTACHMENT to your e-mail unless you are SURE it is not a virus.


Identity fraud is the fastest growing crime in the US. I hope each of you
will get a copy of your credit report and check it for errors. Here is who
you contact to get a copy of your credit report.

CREDIT REPORTS


TRANS UNION
BOX 403
SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064
800-888-4213
WWW.TRANSUNION.COM

EXPERIAN
BOX 2104
ALLEN , TEXAS 75013
888-397-3742
WWW.EXPERIAN.COM

EQUIFAX
BOX 740241
ATLANTA, GA 30374
800-685-1111
WWW.EQUIFAX.COM




As some of you may know, I collect videos from the 50s. Recently a fellow
collector lent me
hundreds of Kinescopes that I could copy. For people that are not familiar
with Kinescopes, they
were the VCR of the 50s. The VCR was not invented yet and the only way to
record a TV show
was with a machine called the Kinescope. A Kinescope was a very small
(about 2 inch square)
high definition (for the time) TV set in a box. Unexposed film was run in
front on this small TV.
Once the film was developed, you had a copy of the TV show. All of the
Kinescopes and thus all
of the films produced by them that I have are black and white.

The problem with any film and especially nitrate film, that was sometimes
used at the time was
that it fades with time. Nitrate file is also highly flammable. It is
very dangerous to work with.
I am told by the person that lent me these Kinescopes that they may be the
only copy of many TV programs
left. My goal is to convert them to DVDs so they will not be lost forever.
I hope someone with
more knowledge about how long DVDs last will give me some insight on this.
My first step was to
convert these Kinescopes to VCR tape. I found a company that did that for
me at a reasonable
cost. That is the easy part.

The next step is to convert the VCR tape to DVDs which is very easy if you
have a DVD
recorder and then run these DVDs through a computer enhancement program.
This program
allows the scratches, bad contrast, fading, etc to be corrected. Often
this requires looking at and correcting each frame, a time consuming
process. If I want to go to the next step which is to convert the black and
white to color, the time required to colorize goes up by a factor of 10 or
more. I will do a few of these upgrades to color just to get
experience doing it. To give you some prospective, to convert a 5 reel
motion picture to color
requires a main frame computer which is about 1000 time more powerful than
my PC several
weeks to do the conversion. Does anyone know if movies are still being
converted to color now.
My guess it is just too costly to be profitable.

My first conversion/upgrade project is Kinescopes of the Ed Sullivan and
Steve Allen shows of
the 50s. Both of them had popular singers of 50s music (Elvis, Pat Boone,
Jerry Lee, etc) I like on their shows. I will let know of my progress.

Does anyone know the first year the 3 networks had all of their prime time
in color? While we are at it, can some one advise me on High Def. TV sets.
Aren't all TV broadcast in a few years going to be in High Def. Will sets
we buy now be able to display these pictures? Would you advise buying a
High Def set now or wait for the total conversion to High Def?


Please mark your calender for Aug 14, 2004 when we will have another meet
the editor party.

BOB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
end of 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST
BOB FORD
18091 MARK CIRCLE
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA 92861-2648
BOB_FORD@COMPUSERVE.COM
VOICE 714-637-8877
FAX 714-637-2955
Editor of the 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST and TURBOGLIDE REGISTRY
I plan to live forever, so far so good