08-22-2007, 12:55 PM
Had 2 - 57 ragtops back in 58-59. Both were drag racers - "D Stock" originally, bcause of the weight. Later went to modified. Frequent trophy winners.The first one was a Powerglide that I switched to 3 speed, then to a Cad/LaSalle 3 speed floor box. Used to be quite a sight with the top down and that huge shift lever coming out of the floor.
The second was a dual quad 283 solid lifter with a Vette four speed - had to cut the seat to use the Vette linkage as those early T-10 four speeds didn't have the dual mount on the tailshaft housing to mount the shifter forward.
My last 57 was about 20 years ago when I found a California Bel Air 2 dr HT in the local paper. I was caring for my elderly parents at the time and needed a hobby, so I restored the 57. Sold that for $4000.00 after my folks passed away and I went back to living on my sailboat. Wish I had it now.
http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc298...ction=view¤t=57Chev01.jpg
Just recalled that I used to pull the LaSalle box out of the first 57 on Saturday and put in a column shift 3 speed so I could run at the Union Grove drag strip in stock class (it was a "powerpack" 283 - hydraulics and a 4-bbl). Then Sunday night when i got home I'd pull the Chevy 3 speed out (to replace the 2nd gear synchro which never lasted more than one weekend) and put the LaSalle box back in for the week. Moved to drag racing a 58 Vette in 1960 - which was also the tow car for the Henry J I drove (also in the photo collection link above).
Thiose were the days!
The second was a dual quad 283 solid lifter with a Vette four speed - had to cut the seat to use the Vette linkage as those early T-10 four speeds didn't have the dual mount on the tailshaft housing to mount the shifter forward.
My last 57 was about 20 years ago when I found a California Bel Air 2 dr HT in the local paper. I was caring for my elderly parents at the time and needed a hobby, so I restored the 57. Sold that for $4000.00 after my folks passed away and I went back to living on my sailboat. Wish I had it now.
http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc298...ction=view¤t=57Chev01.jpg
Just recalled that I used to pull the LaSalle box out of the first 57 on Saturday and put in a column shift 3 speed so I could run at the Union Grove drag strip in stock class (it was a "powerpack" 283 - hydraulics and a 4-bbl). Then Sunday night when i got home I'd pull the Chevy 3 speed out (to replace the 2nd gear synchro which never lasted more than one weekend) and put the LaSalle box back in for the week. Moved to drag racing a 58 Vette in 1960 - which was also the tow car for the Henry J I drove (also in the photo collection link above).
Thiose were the days!