1938 Graham Roadster, AKA “Shark Attack”

Jim from Frostbyte Studios was kind enough to share with us one of his most prized photo shoot opportunities to this day.  He had the honor to do a photo shoot with 2 automotive legends, George Barris and Jerry Kind.  The names may not be familiar, but they are the people responsible for building famous cars such as the General Lee, Kitt, Flintstones Mobile, Monkees Mobile, Munsters Mobile, and the Bat Mobile.  These are just to name a few.  

We are sure you heard of one of their latest creations called "Shark Attack."   We wanted to take the time and appreciate all the hard work that everyone put into this 1 of a kind dream car.  Take a few moments to watch the video.  They take you step by step on how this masterpiece came to life.

We also would like to share with you one of Jim's photo makeovers which has made him a celebrity in the automotive custom photography industry.  Please feel free to contact Jim from Frostbyte Studios for your next custom car image needs!   Tell him HotRodMuscle.com sent you.  I am sure he will give you a great deal if you mention us. 

 

If you would like to see more photos of the build, feel free to visit the Shark Attack website.

Automotive Therapy?

By Stephen Shugg

Photos by:

Stephen Shugg

And Jim Bessey owner of  Frostbyte Studios

 

Being in a somewhat stressful sales job and having always wanted a street rod, I decided about two and a half years ago to build my own street rod as an alternative to therapy. After all, what better stress relief could there be than to work with my hands to create that special car I had always dreamed of.

            Now the street rod is not my only collector car. I have been attempting to collect a car from every decade. A car that, in my mind, represented its decade well in terms of models available. My first car was a 1924 Chrysler Roadster. Next came a 1995 Viper. Then came a 1958 Jaguar XK-150, a 1946 MG TC and finally a 1975 Porsche 911S.

            Since the 1930’s was next on my list, I decided to build a 1933 Plymouth. First I needed a donor vehicle. I scoured e-bay and many websites and diligently devoured Hemmings every month in search of the perfect donor car. Nothing I found fit the bill for what seemed like years but was probably only a couple of months. Finally I spotted and ad in a website of a club I belong to, which advertised a 1933 Plymouth frame. No body, no motor, just the frame.

           

           While I really preferred a whole car, my patience was wearing thin and I figured it would be some time before I was ready for the body anyway so I called the number listed in the ad. It turned out that John was selling the frame since he no longer needed it. He had a 1933 Plymouth which he had turned into a street rod a few years ago and recently he decided to upgrade the suspension. He did so by putting a brand new custom frame under his car. That left the original frame available to me.

            When I went to look at it, stored outside in his backyard, it seemed like the perfect deal. First it was close. Second it already had a Mustang front suspension under it and it had already been boxed. It had a brand new gas tank and John even threw in an old Mopar trans he had. We shook on the deal.

            When I returned that weekend with a trailer to pick it up, the trouble started. Since it had been sitting outside in the Michigan weather for about a year and a half, all four brakes had frozen. It took hours of banging, prodding and several cans of penetrating oil before we could move the car an inch. It was then that I should have asked John why he did not just upgrade the rear end in this frame.

            Finally I got it home. As I wanted this car to be all Mopar I quickly sourced a 360 crate motor and dropped it in. As that was the same Motor John had in his car originally, it bolted right in. The frame had a Chevy 10 bolt rear and that had to go next. I installed a Heidt’s independent and now it was starting to shape up and look like a real street rod. The frame had to be reboxed as it had started to crack and rust. Closer inspection revealed that there were no crossmembers in the frame other that the Mustang front end and a small brace above the rear. Clearly not enough bracing for 400 horsepower. We then added a X-member system to stiffen the chassis as well as support the Torqueflight transmission.

            Next came the plumbing brake and fuel lines, master cylinder, fuel pump and filter, etc. All custom built for the frame. As I wanted a nice car that I could feel comfortable showing as well as driving I knew the frame would need a lot of work to cover all of the original holes that the 1933 Plymouth frame had.

            While this was being done, I continued the search for the body. What few Plymouth bodies I did find were in such sad shape that the amount of metal work required would have been well outside of my budget. A friend told me about Redneck Street Rod’s in Atchison Kansas that made bodies for 1933 Plymouths. Not the steel body that I wanted but also not nearly as expensive. A call to Redneck and the price quote was only about $12,000 for the body. On top of that, the price included mounting on my frame. A significant labor saving for me. While I had originally wanted to do all the work I could on this car, installing the body seemed like a job I could easily let someone else do. Stripping everything back off the frame except the drivetrain, I towed the rolling chassis to Kansas.

            Well one thing led to another and as the body was being mounted to the frame we discovered that while the two frame rails were still  parallel they were no longer square. The frame needed to be ‘trued up’ before the body could be mounted.  After much discussion regarding the rest of the work the frame needed I decided that a new frame was the lesser of two evils. Thinking back to the reason John replaced this frame on his street rod I could not help but wonder if I should have followed John’s lead and started this project with the new frame from the beginning.

As I was planning on powder coating the frame and Redneck has access to an oven large enough for the frame it seemed like a no brainer to have them do the powder coating. Since he was going to handle the frame color for me and he does great paint work, I decided that he could do the paint as well. Of course that added to the time and estimate but I was already way over budget anyway.

I picked up the painted car in June of 2005. Thinking all I had to do was wire it, re-install the plumbing, do the interior and add all the engine accessories. As soon as I started to re-install the custom bent plumbing, I realized that the new frame was not exactly like the old frame. As a result all of the fuel and brake lines had to be redone. Remember, this is supposed to be therapy. It was now adding to the stress in my life not reducing it.

The wiring, while tedious was relatively painless. The gas tank also did not fit the new frame. Rather than wait for a new custom tank we cut and re-welded the tank that John supplied free with the frame.

Then came the interior. Finally some good news. Knowing the car would be  back sometime over the summer I contacted Carl’s Auto Interiors in Waterford Michigan in February to make an appointment. The earliest time he had was July which as it turned out was ideal for me as the car was due back in June. I brought the car to Carl and within one month had it back with a beautiful leather and suede custom interior. The interior was the only single item on the entire project that came in under budget.

Somewhere along the line of the project the Walter P. Chrysler Museum found out about the car and since they were having a new exhibit in the fall, Hot Rods and Cool Mods, they asked if I would be willing to lend them the car for the exhibit. Being honored I readily agreed. Now all I had to do was finish it.

Once back from Carl’s, the final build elements were all that remained. As you would expect, nothing went smoothly. Partially due to do with my inexperience in building a street rod and a lot to do with what seemed like all the luck associated with this project had been bad luck. With a great deal of help from Franks Antique Auto in Birch Run, Michigan, the car was finally done.

Since I could not have the pinstripping done prior to the taking it to the museum, they were kind enough to let Dr. Ru do the stripping in the museum during the one day a week they are closed.

As I write this it is still in the Chrysler Museum and in spite of running over budget by a factor of about three, I am absolutely thrilled with how the project turned out. It is remarkably like what I imagined almost three years ago. An all Mopar street rod!

 

Details:                        1933 Plymouth Five Window Coupe

Engine:                        Mopar crate motor 360 cu. in. 390 horsepower

Trans:                          Torqueflight 904 w/ Mopar Performance TConv

Paint:                           Chrysler Electric Blue Pearl CC

Gauges:                       Classic Instruments designed by Tom Gale

Shifter:                                    Lokar

Front Suspension:       Heidts polished tubular w/polished coilovers. 2” drop

Rear:                            Heidts Independent, 3.25 ratio

Brakes:                        Wilwood polished front & rear (inboard rear)

Frame:                         Progressive

Body:                          Redneck Street Rods

A/C:                            Vintage Air Conditioning

Pulleys:                        March Serpentine Billet

Hoses:                         CoolFlex Stainless

Carb:                           Edlebrock 750 cfm

Wiring:                        Haywire

Steering Column:        Ididit Polished

Steering Rack:             Flaming River Polished Manual

Interior:                       Custom Leather/Suede by Carl’s Auto Interiors

Wheels:                       Boyd Coddington Smoothies 17x7 Front, 20x8.5 rear

Tires:                           BFGoodrich  g-Force T/A KDW 235/45ZRx17 front     245/40ZRx20 rear

Exhaust:                      2.5” Jet Hot coated

Headers:                      Hedman block huggers

Radiator:                     Walker

Hood:                          Three piece w/ Hagen hinges

Fuel Tank:                   Rock Valley Polished Stainless (customized)

Radio:                         Hidden Audio

Speakers:                     Four Panasonic Three ways

Headlights:                  Custom Buckets w/ HarleyDavidson V-Rod lamps

Linkage:                      Lokar carb and kickdown

Fan:                             Spal 2700 cfm

Battery:                       Mopar gel

Insulation                    Dynamat

Ignition:                      Mopar Performance

Plumbing:                    Inline Tube Stainless custom

Fuel Pump:                  Carter electric

Park brake                   Wilwood polished calipers w/ Lokar handle & cables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th anniversary leather seats

The year 1994 marked the 25 years of Pontiac’s production of muscle cars despite the many economic, environmental, political, and ecological challenges that the company has encountered ever since they have started producing magnificent muscle cars in 1969. 2,000 units of 25th Anniversary editions of the 1994 Pontiac Trans Am were built to commemorate this special event of Pontiac history. Among its number of modifications the 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th anniversary leather seats was one of the highlights.

Adding to its sporty image were its distinctive front design, and a rear spoiler with sporty wheels and tires. These special models were finished in a bright white exterior with a center blue racing stripe, including a special Firebird emblem on the hood, and the beautifully designed 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th anniversary leather seats. With the Trans Ams expected performance potential, it reassures customers to know that it is equipped with state of the art safety features such as the dual front airbags, three-point seat belts, anti-lock braking system with four-wheel ventilated discs, pass-key anti-theft system, and a 5-mph bumpers.

The 1994 Trans Am model maintains its low and wide stance, with a white finish theme that is highlighted by a broad deep blue racing stripe and a 25th mark painted on each of the doors in front of the Trans Am logo. The 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th anniversary leather seats on the front are manually adjustable. The front bucket seats are practically supportive but low, compared to the rear ones which are pretty snug. The vehicle received so many compliments not just due to its outside appearance but also a lot of credits were due to the comfort that the 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th anniversary leather seats provided.

So many features were included such as a CD player, a T-top, and a four-speed automatic transmission. Complimenting the 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th anniversary leather seats that can be folded down for added storage was the leather covered tilt steering wheel that has a convenient remote control for the high-fidelity 10-speaker sound system. Aside from this, the 1994 Trans Am package include the remote keyless entry, power windows, as well as doors and rear hatch release. The production of the 25th anniversary Trans Am indeed provided excitement living up to its slogan “We Build Excitement” along with superb handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fun.

Getting to know the Pontiac Trans Am

The Pontiac Trans Am was a specialty package for the Firebird created by the Pontiac division of General Motors between the years 1967 and 2002. The Pontiac was basically marketed by General Motors as an athletic brand, or a muscle car, specializing in popular vehicles focused on performance. Trans Am or Trans-American series was created by the Sports Car Club of America which is a sanctioning body, formed in 1944, for road racing, rally, and autocross in the United States.

Minor modifications of how the Firebird looks such as exclusive hoods, spoilers, and wheels, as well as upgrading its handling, suspension, and horsepower, were the basic features included with the Pontiac Trans Am. It became known then as the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am to many car enthusiasts. Trans-am is a registered trademark by the SCCA, thereby in combining the name with Firebird; General Motors pay $5 to SCCA with each car that gets sold.

These Firebird Pontiac Trans Am cars were built on the F-body platform which means that it is a rear-wheel drive automobile, with four distinct generations produced from 1969 to the year 2002. 1969 was the year for the first generation to be made available to the public, 1970 to 1981 were the years for the second generation, third generation would be during the years 1982 to 1992, and the fourth generation was from the model years 1993 to 2002. These Firebird vehicles of Pontiac gained much popularity in its time that they were featured in some popular movies and television shows. For example, a movie in 1977 titled Smokey and the Bandit, a second generation Pontiac Trans Am car was featured. Another instance was when one of the members of the third generation was shown in the 1984 movie titled Alphabet City; and in the famous television series the Knight Rider, KITT which was the name of the talking car that the main character Michael Knight drives, was actually a modified third generation Pontiac Trans Am car.

The Pontiac Trans Am cars in general have instruments like speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, water temperature, and more. Most of the different generations have good fuel and luggage capacity. They have their own spoilers that cup the air, which is considered by most to be one of the few cars that feature a more efficient spoiler. It is by retaining its individuality through its unique styling that these cars became one of the most sought after vehicles of its time.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars

During the 1950’s up to the 1970’s, muscle cars and hot rods dominated the world.  Even  females could not help turning their heads when slick vintage vehicle's drove by.  Times have now changed but, the urges of wanting to see vintage cars, classic cars, hot rods, and muscle cars have not.  People who have preserved these classic cars are very much appreciated within society.  When these cars are out on the road people really enjoy seeing them.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars are ultimate private statements of the car‘s owner and legacy, which are proudly shown to everyone.  You probably have seen them at the car shows, television, or even seen one passing by on the highway.  How many times have you turned your head or even tried to speed up to get a closer look at one of these classic cars?  The Hot Rods and Muscle Cars say much about what it is that makes America the proud nation that we are.  Hot rods and Muscle Cars have been notorious for being an attention-getting device for whatever group of people or enthusiasts they were encountering.   This really makes Hot rods and muscle cars  a nostalgic part of our culture.

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars come in many different imaginable shapes, conditions and modifications.  The amount of customization that is done to the hot rod is an extension of builder's imagination or frustration of his sight on a conventional styling that represents a part or unique style of the builder.  This is not a bad thing at all.  An individual can draw from it as someone’s unique perspective as to a new dimension on the life style in the US or any other country for that matter.  The mere existence of the hot rods and muscle cars cannot dismiss the sense of pride in the country.

To catch glimpse of the ever-popular hot rods and muscle cars, one just needs to go over to your local auto repair shop and ask them for information on any of the upcoming car shows in the area.  Auto mechanics are forever mindful of the elusive hot rods and muscle cars from many years gone by.  Most anyone in the automotive industry can be considered huge fans of the hot rod and muscle car.  However fear not, there are those die-hard mechanics still out there that like nothing more than getting there hands on classic hot rod and muscle cars to rekindle the need to hear rumble of powerful engines,  or else peak at the slick bodied vehicles from days that are gone by.

The Rise & Fall of First Generation Mustangs

The Mustang is a sports car model that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. Overall, Ford sold 1,288,557 first generation Mustangs. The initial design of the Ford Mustang was based on the Ford Falcon. The Ford Falcon had been a big success for Ford at first, but had to be phased out as sales dropped. This is where the Mustang came in.

The date was March 9, 1964. This was the day of the genesis of the Ford Mustang. The Ford Mustang was born and it grabbed the attention of that generation and many to come after. Since that time, the Mustang aim has become synonymous with American values as apple pie and Lee Greenwood. Introduced to the world at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964, it became Ford's most successful launch since the model A! The Ford Mustang is the only original pony car to maintain continuous production from its beginning until now. There is still high demand for the Mustang, even in this economy.

The first Mustang generation was considered in the "pony car" class of cars. In order to call the first mustang the mother of pony cars, we need to define what a pony car is. A pony car is a coupe that has long hoods and short rear decks. The Mustang was the purest form of the pony car, and became a highly popular type of car design. Because of the rise of this extremely popular car, competitors began coming out with their own versions to this look. Many cars came out of this period of automotive history such as the Camaro, Barracuda, Javelin, Firebird, Cougar, Challenger, and later the foreign-made Toyota Celica.

I have a slick looking 73 Ford Mustang when I was a teenager. My dad gave the car to me as a teenager who had just turned 16. I don't know why even trusted me with a car, especially a Mustang!

In 1989, I sold my first 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Boy... do I wish I had that car back. Only now can I see what a treasure my first-generation Mustang was to me. Since then I have not come across another 73 Mustang that look exactly like mine but I will keep looking. It will always be in my heart.

2002 Pontiac Trans Am, the Last Generation!

The fourth generation production of Pontiac Trans Am was from the years 1993 up to 2002, where they continued to generate F-body vehicles with the aerodynamic formula. Banshee IV was the overall car concept of this generation’s style, while the previous one was the Face Lift concept. The last of its produce was the 2002 Pontiac Trans Am.

Going back to its 9-year generation, it was restyled a bit similar to the Chevrolet Camaro, where Pontiac’s rear-drive hatchback arrived with base, formula, and Trans Am character. The new 2002 Pontiac Trans Am, including its cousins within the same generation measured two inches wider, couple inches taller, and around a half inch longer compared to the previous generation, but it retained the same type and style of wheels. Antilock braking and dual airbags installed was standard for the entire generation as well as the rust or dent resistant composite used for most outer body panels for optimum durability. 3.4L V6 was the base engine used with a rating of one hundred sixty horsepower, 5-speed manual gearbox was standard with base model, and four-speed automatic was optional.

The 2002 Pontiac Trans Am which was the model for its last year of production, came with power windows, modernized locks, mirrors, and antenna. Since this year was the 35th celebration of Pontiac’s production of muscle cars, they have created a commemorative specialty vehicle that was considered a Collectors edition of the 2002 Pontiac Trans Am. Special paint scheme, detailed interior appointments, special edition emblems, and the raw power of the Trans Am’s WS6 performance and handling package were just some of the unique elements that came with the Collectors edition. They only produced 2,000 units of the Collectors Edition offered to enthusiasts during the milestone year of the Pontiac muscle cars.

The 2002 Pontiac Trans Am Collector Edition sported a brilliant yellow paint scheme with two black racing stripe designs running from the hood of the vehicle and continues to wrap around the car’s doors and rear quarter panels that gave the car a simply amazing appearance. Coupled with a two-tone collector yellow and black treatment on the rear of the vehicle with the Collector Edition and Trans Am nameplates accent the lower doors. Owners of the vehicle would enjoy exclusive interior trim appointments that highlight the famous design cues of the Firebird and Trans Am through the years. Ebony leather wraps the seats of the car with Collector Edition logos embroidered on the headrests. Collector Edition logos are also present on the front floor mats and the trophy shelf mat, and as a finishing touch to the vehicle’s interior, a special Collector Edition owner’s portfolio is also placed inside. The production of the Collector edition was definitely timely since it ended the last generation of the Pontiac Trans Am with a big bang.

Using Ford Mustangs on Your Bank Checks

Few cars have inspired as much devotion as the Ford Mustang. Since being introduced to the public in 1964 at the World's Fair, they have become of the most sought after vehicles for more than 30 years. Today, there is no better way to show off your love and admiration of the car then to carry their image on your personal bank checks.

A true American powerhouse lies beneath the hood of a Ford Mustang. Here in the United States, cars are more a necessity than a luxury, but that doesn't mean that we take our cars for granted. Instead, we are eternally devoted to our vehicles.

The Ford Mustang represents what many people think America epitomizes: power, freedom, and beauty. The sleek, almost sexy, design of the Ford Mustang hides its impressive power. The exciting feel of the road as the Mustang convertible speeds down the highway can be appealing to most people, especially car enthusiasts.

Not just commanding, but the Ford Mustang is held responsible for creating the "pony car." Pony cars contain short decks and long hoods. There have been other pony cars after the Ford Mustang, but it is the only one that has been in continuous production since it first began.

The Ford Mustang personal checks can be a reflection of your own unbridled spirit, as well as prove to be a memorable form of an expression of your personality. Plain white bank checks are boring, but you're sure to be remembered with something as classic as a Ford Mustang convertible image.

There are several different images that can be found on the Ford Mustang personal checks. From the classic 1964 Ford Mustang convertible to the 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra and recent models, there is an image to suit everyone's tastes. Many Mustang checks come in rotating images as well, meaning that the next check image will be different than the one you just wrote out. This way, you don't have to make a decision about which image you want!

You can also purchase matching address labels, as well as a coordinating black leather checkbook cover. The checkbook cover is as sleek as the car itself, with the Ford Mustang emblem etched onto the front.

For check formats, you can order the traditional top-tear checks, as well as the duplicate checks. Duplicate checks are great because they leave behind a carbon copy of every check that you write. This can be helpful when it comes to your record-keeping.

It used to be expensive and not very time friendly to order personal checks if you went to your local bank branch. However, thanks to the internet you don' have to go through that process anymore. Today, by ordering online, you can save as much as 50% on the cost of checks. All you need are your bank account and routing numbers. It generally takes about 5 days to receive the checks, which is what you would wait if you got them from your bank. Best of all, by doing a search online you can look at a variety of images from the comfort of your own home.

History of the Buick Grand National, T-Type and GNX.

1982 started off what would be a short history of the Buick Grand National in the making.  The Grand National got its name from the NASCAR Grand National racing series.  The Buick Grand National  came with a naturally aspirated 4.1 Liter 6 cylinder engine well capable of 125 horsepower at 4000 rpm’s and 205 lb·ft of torque at 2000 rpm’s.  There was also an optional turbocharged version that produced 175 horsepower  at 4000 rpm’s and 275 lb·ft of torque at 2600 rpm‘s. 

There were only 215 Buick Grand Nationals that were produced in 1982.  Grand Nationals that were turbocharged were extremely rare.  The Buick Regal Sport Coupe package came with the turbocharged engine, of which only 2022 were produced.  In 1983, there was not a Grand National produced.  Instead, the Sport Coupe model was renamed the T-Type.  There were only 3732 T-Type’s that were produced with very respectable ratings of 190 hp at 1600 rpm’s and 280 lb·ft of torque at 2400 rpm‘s).

In 1984 the Buick Grand National with a standard black paint theme.  It also carried a turbocharged 3.8 Liter engine as its standard engine.   The completely redesigned engine had sequential fuel injection system, leading to an increase of power to 200 hp at 4400 rpm and 300 lb·ft of torque at 2400 rpm. Only 5,204 Turbo Regals were produced in 1984, and only 2000 of which were Buick Grand Nationals.

The next major upgrades for the Buick Grand National came in 1986, when an extremely modified engine design with intercooling boosted the performance even further.   There were a total of 7,896 Turbo Regals produced in 1986. 

In 1987, the Grand National had reached a total of 245 horsepower and 355 lb·ft of torque setting the standard for future generations of muscle cars.  Buick eventually dropped the T-Type package for Regal in 1987 right after Turbo Regals reached their peak in popularity.  There were only a total of 27,590 Turbo Regals that were produced through December.

1987 also offered a lightweight WE4 (Turbo T) option, only offering 1,547 of this variation.  They were painted black and treated to the same blackout package as the Grand National, including bumpers, grille, headlight and taillight trim.  The differences between a WE4 and the Grand National were the interior trim package, wheels, exterior badging, aluminum bumper supports, and aluminum rear brake drums as opposed to the Grand National's cast iron.  The rear spoiler was only available as a dealer installed option.  The LC2 Turbo option was only available in 1987 on any Regal, making it possible to even see a Limited edition with a vinyl roof and a fancy power bulge turbo hood.

For the final year, 1987, Buick introduced the GNX version priced at $29,000.  Produced by McLaren/ASC, Buick underrated the GNX at 276 hp and a very substantial 360 lb·ft of torque.  This particular model was created to be known as the  "Grand National to end all Grand Nationals."  Changes made included a special Garrett turbocharger with a ceramic-impeller blowing through a more efficient intercooler and a "CERMATEL (Ceramic/Aluminum) coated" pipe connecting the intercooler to the engine. A GNX specific EEPROM, low-restriction exhaust with dual mufflers, reprogrammed Turbo Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a custom torque converter and transmission cooler, and a unique differential cover with a panhard bar included more of the performance modifications.  The exterior styling changes included vents located on each front fender, 16 inch black mesh style wheels with VR-speed rated tires, and deletion of the hood and fender emblems.  The interior changes of the GNX included a serial number on the dash plaque and a revised instrument cluster providing analog Stewart-Warner gauges, including an analog turbo boost gauge.  The GNX had a ladder bar that ran from the mid-section of the car to the rear axle, so as to increase traction. This is also the reason why a GNX will actually lift the rear end up when the car is about to launch heavily.  The GNX was claimed as being the fastest production sedan ever built during that time.  GNX #001 is currently owned by Buick and sometimes makes appearances at car shows around the US.

The line was also used with the 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS years after the GNX was discontinued.  The next model year converted to a front-wheel drive, ending this muscle cars production.

Join the New Buick Grand National forum or get the best deals on Buick Grand National Parts, please check out our NEW parts store!

How to Install a 57 Chevy Windshield

If you may be wondering how to install a 57 Chevy windshield, you have come to the right place. The 1957 Chevy is a great classic car. It is one of the best cars to restore. It is pretty simple mechanically but their are some exterior elements that are not so simple. The 1957 Chevy had a reshaped windshield that differed from the 1955 model.

It is therefore very important to make sure that during the installation process, due care is imposed in order not to damage or cause tints to this one of the best American classic cars that still exist today.

Time Allotment: 10-15mins.

Cost: $15-$20

Materials Needed:

1. Twine – 1/16 in diameter
2. Rubber Moulding
3. Liquid Soap – 2 parts
4. Water – 1 part
5. Plastic Thin Tool
6. Tape
7. Small Container

The following are the steps on how to install a 57 chevy windshield:

1. Grab yourself of a very strong twine which has a diameter of 1/16.

2. Put the rubber moulding just around the windshield.

3. Place the 1/16 in diameter of twine right inside the groove of the moulding.

4. Make sure that you have about 2 inches of the twine overlapped to ensure that the twine stays inside the groove.

5. To make it a little bit secured get a tape, however, always put to mind not to cover the whole groove itself.

6. In a small container, mix 2 parts of liquid soap with one part of water. Always remember, the ratio is 2:1.

7. Then, with the use of the mixture lubricate the rubber moulding as well as the lip where the rubber moulding fits itself to the car.

8. Ask a help of your neighbor or a friend to help you out carry the glass and place it right against the car.

9. It’s now time, to ask your assistants to help you out in putting pressure unto the glass.

10. Then, get inside the car and slowly pull the twine off in order to pull the rubber off from the lip of the car.

11. Once the moulding pops off the twine, with care place the twine back on the lip with the use of a plastic thin tool. If you can’t find any plastic thin tool, you can make one yourself with the use of anything made out of plastic.

12. Just continue to pull the twine until such time that the moulding itself has been put into the lip of the car.

13. Never let go of the other end of the twine, since this part of the twine should remain in place while the other end is being pulled.

Viola! How to install a 57 chevy windshield has never been this easy!

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