I finally get to go pick up my '59 on Saturday.

It's a basket case, I will have to build it from the frame up.

After a LOT of thought I have decided that I am not interested in a concourse original.
I'm going for a retro-rod '60's look instead.
That is pretty much what I had before, but this time I will avoid having a 348 torque monster that is just too hard to drive in traffic.

I won't do anything that cannot easily be corrected to original after I croak.
I will keep the original suspension, brakes, etc. in storage.

My plan is a 377 Cu. In. engine, running 3-2's and Vette valve covers, with only a little chrome.
5 speed trans, disk brakes, lowered (but not low-rider!), and the fattest 15" rims/tires I can squeeze under it.

It will never impress the ultra high-tech, blank check, built by Boyd's guys, but it will be what I think of when I remember what rodders really drove when I was a kid.
A little more modern, but it will look "right" at a casual glance.

I may even keep the factory Red & White paint.

Now that I have a '59 again the '78 gets scaled back, just keep it clean, with maybe a brake, rear axle, and F.I. upgrade.

Anybody have a good 400" 4 bolt block laying around?

I won't do anything that cannot easily be corrected to original after I croak.
I will keep the original suspension, brakes, etc. in storage.

[B]

Congratulations on getting yourself a '59. I love that statement. That's forward thinking for you.

It sounds like an excellent plan you have for your classic. Pics when possible please 8-)

Very cool, sounds like a good plan to me. Man I wish I had space for a collection like your starting! I say starting as I'm sure you're not nearly finished yet! :P

Definitely be sure to take some pics, I love seeing things in their before during and after stages!

Mine
2 " drop---15x8 ralleys---4-whl disc---TKO 5spd---454---P/windows
AC---tilt
Only external body mod--moving antenna from fender to just behind pass door.
With rear disc brakes---2inch exhaust is just about all that will fit
15x8--245-60-15 BFG----they will bump a fender in a sharp turn into a driveway approach.

See pic at:
www.chevellestuff.com
in the 59-60 folder Black & Pewter

Richard, sounds like a great plan for a cool retro ride w/nice driveability.

Bryan, your ride looks great!

I hung all of the sheetmetal back on mine this past Sunday.......gotta take some pics now that it actually resembles a car and share them with you guys.

Did ya get it home safe?
Keep us posted! 8-)

Not yet, I was going to try again in the morning.

This is twice the seller has not been able to meet me as scheduled.

The car is stored at his cousins place, and the seller is afraid of his cousins dogs.
The cousins keeps going out of town on week-ends.

I am supposed to have a firm appointment next Saturday.

I have to rent a truck and trailer, the rental yard will only rent the truck on week-ends. :-(

Yay! Finally got it home!

First time I ever drove a diesel pick-up, and I hope it's the LAST!

What a pig, it seemed to be just the sort of gutless, 45 mph average speed, slow accelerating POS that Ralphie Nader, Joannie Claybrook and the rest of the nanny state socialist want to force us all to drive.

The car is not quite as good as the seller claimed ('8O') but is a good start.

Now I REALLY have to decide on my build plan, and stick to it.

I have several options, some of which would be popular here and one of which might not.

1. The original plan, as outlined at the top of this thread.
2. Putting the '59 body on a C5 'Vette chassis and drive train, probably the hardest to do, but possibly not the most expensive.
3. Putting the '59 body on a '94 Range Rover frame?
#3 would get me an all aluminum 4.6 V8, 4 speed OD auto, 4WD, 4W disc brakes, and power steering.
Since I live very close to Lake Tahoe we get some rough winters, lots of ice on the roads.
Putting the '59 on the Rover would certainly make it more practical for year around use, with the factory air suspension I could even handle some of the unpaved roads.

I am still researching the C5 details, I also need to find out how hard it is to beef up the original '59 "X" frame if I decide to stick with my original plan.