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03-06-2018, 11:38 PM
From: BOB FORD [BOB_FORD@compuserve.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 7:36 AM
To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com
Subject: 57-56-55 CHEVY LISTL

THIS IS THE 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST

THIS LIST IS DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE 1955, 1956,
AND 1957 CHEVROLETS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. 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.

THANKS
BOB FORD
EDITOR
__________________________________________________ ____________________
To: [unknown], bob_ford
From: "Tom Mueller", INTERNET:blt@west.net

Howdy
Has anyone attempted to not only put 3 point seat belts in a "55" but in a
4 door to boot? I have some thoughts about putting them in the back.
Looks like 1993- 1996 Dodge Intrepid will work as their retractor is
located under the package deck so a provision could be welded in under the
"55" package deck to accommodate. The main problem, considering the cross
section of the "B" post at the roof junction, is how to locate, fabricate,
reinforce and weld a stud that would be strong enough to meet the stress of
a collision and at the same time not warp all of the sheet metal in the
area during the welding process.

Assuming a solution, any recommendation on what seat belts would work best
for this application, particularly the front?

Thank in advance for your suggestions and ideas.
Tom
Ventura County Chevy's
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To: [unknown], bob_ford
From: "keith chaytor", INTERNET:seckey@iinet.net.au

Good morning Bob,

Could you please post this to your readers.
I am trying to put together a video library made up of movies that have
either 55,56,57 Chevy's in them. My question is, is there anyone that can
help my by naming a few movies that had 55,56,57 Chevy's in them, around
them or even just in the background?????? Well even if they know of any
movies that have alot of 1950's cars in them.
Many thanks for all your efforts Bob,
PETER HALL
seckey@iinet.net.au
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To: "'BOB FORD'", BOB_FORD
From: "Glassoff, Marc", INTERNET:GlassoffMA@navair.navy.mil

Hi Bob-
In response to your latest trivia question, my family acquired a 1 year old
63 Pontiac Tempest when I first started college. It had a transaxle which
as I understand it was a flexible shaft arrangement and sat in the middle
of
the car. Boy was it a pain. We were always taking it to the dealer to
adjust the shift points. It would rev up and shift late and then it would
shift early and bog down. It was before I knew anything about cars so that
was about all I remember technically. We had traded in a two year old 1962
Corvair to get this one, and I liked the 'vair much better after they
finally fixed the leaking oil seal.
Regards,
Marc Glassoff
Heartbeat Classic Chevy Club, Escondido, CA
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To: "BOB FORD", BOB_FORD
From: "Duaine Flanders", INTERNET:inovate@willmar.com

Bob, I have a 1967 1/2 ton GMC 6 cylinder, straight stick pickup. It is
left from a business venture. An individual wants to buy it. I am the
second owner. It needs an exhaust system and a tune and it has a few
dents in a door. Other wise it is a great rebuilder. I need to know a
value that I can attach to it. Anyone can contact me with an estimate at
inovate@willmar.com
Thanks. Duaine E. Flanders, Benson, Mn.
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: "Warren Kramer", INTERNET:wrkchevy@hotmail.com

Bob,

I just returned from Detroit's Dream Cruise....another great year. 9 miles

of antiques, classics and muscle cars.
1.4 million people and some 30,000 vehicles according to the Sunday paper.
This event occurs once a year and lasts "officially" 1 day (Saturday).
If there is a particular car you like and wanted to see, it was probably
there. Many cars for sale and many were priced to sell.
But the best part was watching them go by....a wonderful experience.

Warren
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:Slgraves56@aol.com, INTERNET:Slgraves56@aol.com

The '61-63 Tempest had a four cylinder engine that was made by cutting the
Pontiac V-8 in half. This engine was used later by other GM divisions and
known as the "Iron Duke". The drive shaft on this car was a cable ,much
like a
speedometer cable.

Thats it.
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:WSSmolick@aol.com, INTERNET:WSSmolick@aol.com


Two things... First, I have a question concerning '57 rear bumper ends?
I
know there is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd series. What are the differences? I
believe I have seen some with the black detail as one piece and some with a

vertical chrome division but what does the third type look like?

Secondly, I still have a bunch of used 55-57 Chevy parts for sale. I've
got to make room (and money) for my 56 wagon project. Some of what I have:

55/56 overdrive cable $95; complete 55 shackle assemblies, with frame
brackets $25pr; 57 manual shift instrument clusters $45ea; 55 inner
fender
$40, 56 6cyl radiator support $40, 56 BA 2dr hardtop/convertible diagonal

quarter paint dividers $35ea; 55 6cyl stick valve lifters/push rods
$20set;
light green perforated vinyl 56 sunvisors, no brackets $10pr, partial 55
driver's side quarter panel, from infront of gas door to rear door (4door)
$15, 210 2dr sedan beltline stainless $100set, 210 4dr sedan beltline
stainless $60set, 55 210 4dr int door panel stainless $25set. I have
much
more than what is listed here. Email me for the list! I live in eastern
PA.


Wyatt Smolick
WSSmolick@aol.com
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: "Robert Willis", INTERNET:willisb@kos.net

Hello Bob and all on the list.

Yes my 57 Chevy is a Vette. It has a 283 engine with dual WCFB
carbs and a 4 speed. Kathy and I took our 57 on a trip to Florida, going
down the East Coast looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains and Race shops in
Mooresville N.C. then on to FL. The drive along A1A to Daytona Beach is
great . We had our seven year old daughter with us (in the middle!) so it
was off to see Mickey. While in Kissimmee I went to the Cruise night in Old
Town , where I was told to go away 'cause the car was too old . ( The books
advertise cruise nights as Friday and Saturday nights period. They don't
tell you that Friday night is restricted to 73 and newer and older cars are
Saturday night. As we were heading back to Georgia on Saturday morning, we
were out of luck. They wouldn't budge and make an exception at all!)
While in Fla toured Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala (great
place; a must if in Fla). Travelled on up through Georgia and met up with
our friend John who is building a 55 2 door Hard Top. Visited for a couple
of days and then headed out. On the road again to Taladaga, Alabama to see
the International Motorsport Museum at the Taladaga Race Track. From there
we toured up through Tennessee and Kentucky, stopping in Bowling Green to
visit the National Corvette Museum. Left the warmer temperatures behind
and headed toward home, via Windsor. Crossed over back into Canada and
stopped in Kitchener where we met up with our friends Jim & Judi, the proud
owners of a beautiful 58 Vette. Had 4 great days and evenings of touring
and cruise nights. Our vettes are both blue (different shades) and turned
quite a few heads going down the roads together. We were gone almost 2
weeks. We would recommend it highly to anyone. Get out there and enjoy
your cars!!!
As the great Zora Arkus-Duntov said "trailers are for horses"!!!!!

Summer 2001; California, here we come!!
Bob & Kathy Willis
willisb@kos.net
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To: [unknown], bob_ford
From: Louis, INTERNET:lou1@primenet.com

I came across the following posting on Usenet:

louis


"The 1955 265 was designed by Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole and Harry
Barr. Work began as sketches in 1953. Cole had 14 draftsmen working 60-hour
weeks on the design, including John Dolza, who developed a green sand
casting method; Loren Papenguth, who came up with a way to measure oil flow
from the lifters; Clayton Leach, who designed the stamped-steel rocker
arms;
and Don MacPherson who designed the cross-flow ports.
The engine itself was introduced on October 28, 1954."

Rabbit

Editor's note. I wonder if any of those people are still alive and have
e-mail. I bet they could give us a lot of information. I know Ed Cole is
no longer alive.
BOB
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To: "BOB FORD", BOB_FORD
From: "Oliver Giorgi", INTERNET:o.giorgi@worldnet.att.net

Hi Tom,

Personally, I cannot recommend the Eastwood "zinc replating kit". I am
extremely disappointed with the quality that results from its use.
Durability? Forget it! I watch a screw rust overnight after the plating
was complete. I have made several attempts to use different pretreatments,
voltages, currents, and duration of dip - no such luck. The kit is a hoax.

Guess there is no substitute for the "real mccoy" - cadmium.
bowtieollie
www.chevytalk.com
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:Conoso@aol.com, INTERNET:Conoso@aol.com

Pontiac created their 4 cyl by literaly cuting a V8 in half. The drive
shaft was similar to a speedo cable only much larger. If I remember right ,

the Tempest had a trans axle mounted in the rear.
Bob in Texas
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:GlnnDrvr@cs.com, INTERNET:GlnnDrvr@cs.com

If I'm not mistaken the 194.5 ci engine was 1/2 of the venerable 389. And
the driveshaft was a torque tube design.
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To: "Bob Ford", BOB_FORD
From: "Curt & Carrie", INTERNET:hogan@cjnetworks.com

Bob,
I believe the answer to your question is the Pontiac Tempest in question
had a four cylinder engine that was 1/2 of a V-8 split lengthwise and the
driveshaft was of flexible design.
Curt Hogan
55 210 2dr Sedan
56 Belair 2dt Ht
Topeka, Ks
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To: [unknown], Bob_Ford
From: "ROBERT FORD", INTERNET:1DRAG_RACER@email.msn.com

Hi ! I never thought I would be talking to myself, but I guess there's a
beginning to everything! (BIGWaa56@aol.com) said that I needed to get added
to your list. I have a '57 2 door that I am in need of parts for. I also
have a few parts that I don't need. What I need is a '57 steering wheel.
What I have is: hood rockets, taillight housings and lenses, door handles
and guards, parklight lenses, a radiator (in need of repair), 6 cylinder
front springs, original starter. What I will have in the near future is the
front spindles w/ drum brakes, wiper escutcheons, dome lense chrome ring,
antenna base, rearview mirror mount.
I would sell everything that I have EXTREMELY CHEAP! I don't have the room
to store everything that I'm taking off. I would sell a pkg. deal or
individual item.
If you could help me out, I would appreciate it. Thanks, another Bob Ford
My E-mail address is: 1drag_racer@msn.com
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To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: John Banwell, INTERNET:jbanwe@netins.net

Your trivia question on the 61-63 Pontiac Tempest. This was a neat little
engineering feat. Pontiac used a 389 using only the right bank, making it
a 4
cylinder. The left side had nothing but an intake manifold, of which they
used two different carbs. One being a four barrel for an added performance
option. At first the ignition system also was a former 8 cylinder with
every
other hole in distributor cap blanked out. They used a heavy flywheel to
absorb the 4 cylinder vibrations. The drive shaft was two different sizes.
The manual transmission was a bit larger then the automatics. The drive
shaft was bolted to the flywheel and actually followed the contour of the
bottom of the car through a couple mounted bearing in a tube to the
transmission/differential (transaxle). It was called a rope drive shaft
because it wasn't straight. The rear end was mounted on an independent
suspension.
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To: Chevy List, BOB_FORD
From: phillip l brown, INTERNET:lybc@earthlink.net

Your last list shows that it is difficult to really know our Classic
Chevys. Two responses to Ian's request for info gave different
opinions, not fact, apparently, on the BSO #372. One is that it means
power steering and another that it is padded dash.

If you look at all the published info in regards to body color/interior
relationships, you'll see that a black and white '55 convertible should
only come with a grey/white interior. So if you showed up at a show
with a red/beige interior, you'd be docked points for not being
original. However, I have a friend who's father ordered a '55 conv
that was black/white body & white top with a red/beige interior. She
drove it in high school, although by that time the top had been replaced
with a black top. Unless the cowl tag showed the red/beige interior,
which it should, no one would have believed you could order it from the
factory with that interior. Point is: there is no definitive answer
on what is "original" or "correct" on a Classic Chevy.

Another example is that the parking light wiring harness on my '55 are
different than the reproduction ones in that my lamp socket is 1/4" to
3/8" larger in diameter. The holes in my housings, which fit my lamp
socket, are so large, the repo's slide right through. Which is
correct? The answer it appears is both!! Could you convince some
judges of that, I doubt it.

Phillip

Editor's note. You are so correct. In my youth I worked at a car dealer.
I spent most of the time with the fleet dealer. If you were willing to pay
enough money, you could get almost anything you wanted on a new car. At
that time it was called DSO on the cow tag for Dealer Special Order.
Without the build sheet, there is no way a person could say a car is or is
not original. Being a judge is a thankless job. I do not see how they get
people to do it.
BOB
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To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: Bill Kautz, INTERNET:kautz@home.com

Hi Bob,
The answer to part one of your Pontiac trivia question is-they cut a
389cid in half-2x194.5=389. The answer to the second half is- the car
had a transaxle, (a transmission and differential combined), that was
mounted in the rear of the car. The driveshaft was like a long
speedometer cable, mounted in a steel case, that carried the rotary
motion of the engine rearward. This "rope" driveshaft was mounted in
permanently lubricated bearings inside the case and had a slight curve
to it. It was said to be the driveline of the future, but it was only
used from '61-'63 and then dropped for the conventional driveshaft and
differential.
Thanks again for this forum, Bob. Keep the trivia questions coming!
Wild Bill
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:FOSTERBERK@aol.com, INTERNET:FOSTERBERK@aol.com

Bob,
Pontiac cut a 389 in half, came up with 194.5 c.i. Then in order to get
'perfect balance" they put the transmission and differential together at
the
rear wheels! Easy to see why nobody else tried this. It wasn't a very good
idea.
Any way my sister owned one of those cars, but not for very long.
Pontiac redeemed themselves by bringing out the GTO in '64
Dennis Foster "56 Chevy P/U
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To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: Sanford "Sandy" Pierce, INTERNET:mr55chev@webtv.net

Pontiac made the 4 cyl engine out of 1/2 of their 389 V8. The
driveshaft was curved (inside a torque tube).
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To: "'BOB FORD'", BOB_FORD
From: "Angelmaier, Scott", INTERNET:SAngelmaier@nevcogen.com

It was a flexible shaft, AKA a rope shaft. Independent suspension, the
engine was half of a 389.
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To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: Patrick Rodgers, INTERNET:prodgers@earthlink.net

>From: Editor
>From time to time I post some trivia questions on this list. I must tell
you their are some very
sharp people on the list and every trivia question I have posted has
several people with the correct answer.

Here is a harder question. If you know the answer to this, you really know
about cars.

The 1961-63 Pontiac Tempest has a very unusual motor. It was 194.5 cid.
If you looked at the motor you could tell how Pontiac developed it. How
did Pontiac create this
unusual motor? The drive shaft was also very unusual. This type of
drive shaft has never been used since 1963 on any American or foreign car
sold
here. What was so unusual about this drive shaft.

Answers:
1: It was one bank of a 389 engine.
2: No u-joints and it would look a jump rope

Patrick Rodgers
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To: [unknown], BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:GremlinGTs@aol.com, INTERNET:GremlinGTs@aol.com

I'm just checking in again, I was thumbing thru the latest Kit Car
magazine on the stands showing the 2001 kits, and they still list the
Canadian company that makes the '55 and '57 Chevy convertible kits in
fiberglass, 10k kit, 40k turnkey. I was hoping that SOMEONE out there
would
have bought one of these by now to give a critique on it's quality and ease

of construction. But, maybe I"ll just have to contact the company, and see
if
they have sold any in the East Coast area, that I could go see. I'm a new
home ower as of 11/99, so right now money is gonna be tight, so I'm just
dreaming. :) But, it never hurts to dream! I'm still lurking on the list,
as
well as the Ole-trucks list and the AMC-List. Gave up on the UL flying
list,
as it got too political and flaming hot for me. Plus too much junk mail.
Anyway, if anyone has seen one of those Canadian plastic convertibles, I'd
like to hear about it!
Also, looks like I'm gonna "inherit" my Dad's '57 210 4-dr sedan, he's
tired of it, it's been in the family since '63. Was Dusk Pearl, and is a
PowerPack/auto car. I hope to get it moved and garaged before this winter
in
my new home. My 210 still sits at his house sans motor/tranny, some day I
need to get back on that project as well. Ah, the joys of restoring. But,
at
least my garage is getting in shape since the move-in 9 months ago, thought

I'd NEVER see the floor again! LOL. But it's useable now, anyway, with an
AMC
Gremlin GT stored inside. Hopefully a '57 will join it this winter. Or
maybe
my '55 Suburban. :) Well, everyone have a good day! g'bye,

Jerry Casper
'57 210 4-dr
'55 Chevy Suburban w/doors
'78 Gremlin GT
'70 Javelin
'79 Pacer wagon
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To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: INTERNET:roy.r.nagel@gm.com, INTERNET:roy.r.nagel@gm.com

1) The Pontiac 194.5 cubic inch 4 was actually one bank of the 389 cubic
inch V8.

2) The drive shaft, sometimes referred to as the "rope" shaft was actually
a
solid high-strength steel shaft (about 5/8 inch in diameter as I recall).
The
shaft had a bearing located at one of the nodes to steady it, but was
otherwise
unsupported (attached at the ends, of course).

While we're at it, how about another trivia question: "What other
manufacturer
produced a four that was 1/2 of a V8"? Another trivia question could be
"What US
manufacturer designed and built an Overhead Cam six three years prior to
Pontiac"?

I realize this is getting a bit far afield from tri-fives and Turboglides,
but interesting non-the-less.
Wishing you the best, and thanks much for all your efforts.

Editor's note. As you can see from all of the answers above to my trivia
question, that question
was not as hard as I thought it was. My thanks to Roy Nagel for sending in
what I think is some real hard questions. Roy sent me the answers to the
questions and I will send them out soon if no one has the answers.
BOB
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To: BOB FORD, BOB_FORD
From: Sam Kiddle, INTERNET:kiddles@calom.net

Bob

I can really relate to Janice's story about selling her husbands car. At
one time in my life I really needed some money and I had to sell my 55 to
get the money. I thought I knew what it was worth so I put ads in all of
the car magazines. I didn't get a call. After 3 months of waiting by the
phone, I had someone appraise the car. The appraisal was less than 1/2 of
what I was asking. I just knew the appraisal was not correct so I just
lowered my price a little bit. I waited by the phone for another 3 weeks
and still no calls.

By now I was desperate for some money so I lowered the price to the
appraised price. I now got a few calls but no one offered to buy the car.
I finally sold it for about 2/3 of the appraised price. I really believe
that if I had priced it right in the first place, I could have sold it at
the appraised price.

SAM
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end of 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST
BOB FORD
18091 MARK CIRCLE
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA 92861-2648
BOB_FORD@COMPUSERVE.COM
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BOB_FORD/
http://members.home.net:80/rick.b/Bobford.htm
VOICE 714-637-8877
FAX 714-637-2955
Editor of the 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST and TURBOGLIDE REGISTRY