Short Track and NASCAR modeling

Short Track Forums => Cars with Fenders-production bodies/late models => Topic started by: slim on September 25, 2017, 04:48:54 PM

Title: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: slim on September 25, 2017, 04:48:54 PM
An older build, but still fond of it. Cleaned it up, did some repairs, changed to wide dirt tires, added a wind and radiator screen. 409 powered on a 57 Chevy chassis.
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukLirqxUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1929.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukLijVxUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1930.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukLD2WxUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1932.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukLD9FxUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1934.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukLDJCxUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1935.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Dirtman on September 25, 2017, 04:54:51 PM
Definitely cool!
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: john2 on September 25, 2017, 06:06:06 PM
 :)Very nice, Slim.  I really like the blue and silver colors.
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: TarheelRick on September 26, 2017, 03:26:30 AM
Beautiful Chevy.  Has that nasty look to it.  Losing the front bumper/grille takes about a ton of weight off it and adds to the overall aggressive look.
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: sentsat71 on September 26, 2017, 05:28:24 AM
Great looking '58 Chevy!!

But, how did the '58 body fit on a '57 frame??? 
didn't think the '57 frame was long enough for a '58 body......?
Just wonderin'!  :)
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: slim on September 26, 2017, 09:42:36 AM
Thanks for the comments, fellas, the wheel base is 2" difference. 57 is 115" and the 58 is 117". I just fudged on the wheel wells.
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukMWk2xUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1942.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2ukMjr8xUngtW.jpg) (http://public.fotki.com/slimlouis/cadet-sportsman/58-impala-sportsman-19/dscn1943.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Big Orange on September 26, 2017, 04:25:36 PM
Another great build from Slim's sable
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Charlie.D on September 26, 2017, 04:27:14 PM
That is really sharp looking build that you have done Slim
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: sentsat71 on September 27, 2017, 08:52:16 AM
Thanks Slim for the info on the frame length differences!

Brought back memories of seeing a '58 Chevy as a street stock back in 1970/71 season at the Fairmont Speedway, along with other "large" bodied cars
Check out the photos of those 2 years at www.fairmontspeedwayarchives/com (That's where I go to "refresh" my memories of back then.... :-D )
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Dr. Kerry on September 27, 2017, 09:15:37 AM
Ooooohhhhh,,,,, Me Likey!!!!!!!! ;)
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Bob P. on September 27, 2017, 01:27:17 PM
Very nice build Slim, well done.

We didn't see many Fifty Eights racing in our area. Everyone was using 55, 56 and 57 cars.

Bob
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: David Bogard on September 27, 2017, 01:43:39 PM
Same here Bob. The 58's were sometimes used to tow the cars and the parking lot had plenty of them.  ;D  You managed to make this into a good looking race car Slim and I like it a lot. I've got an old 58 build in a pile somewhere and maybe one day I will turn it into a Saturday Nighter!
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: slim on September 27, 2017, 03:46:06 PM
58's with the x frame didn't handle well, I understand. That was my logic to using the 57 chassis. I love that old body style. Someday I will b
aquirre a Biscayne body!
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Greg Birky on September 28, 2017, 10:26:32 PM
Very nicely done, Slim!!!  I believe yours is the cleanest, most beautiful 58 Impala I've ever laid eyes on as a stock car!!! 🤗👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🏁
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: slim on September 30, 2017, 12:34:17 AM
Thanks fellas
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: Olderndirt on September 30, 2017, 08:44:16 AM
The big reason you don't see many '58's is simple. 1958 was a hard year for the car companies, and sales of Chevys, and Fords were way down from previous years. The X frame cars could be made to run, but it was an all new learning curve. Most racers found it easier to just go with the tri-fives, instead of reengineering everything.

  Olderndirt
Title: Re: 58 Chevy Sportsman
Post by: pdaly28 on September 30, 2017, 10:13:30 AM
that is a very clean build!I had a 58 del rey 283/4spd.......man was that thing heavy!