Fred & Sue Elston's '35 Chevy Build
Build Update September 2008
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I bought the car in 1999 up in Minnesota and had it shipped back to Phoenix. After about three months of trying to get the title straightened out I started tearing it apart. I first built a hi-tech front-end for it using my design based on the best of TCI, Heidt's, and Rod factory designs with Wilwood brakes, rack and pinion steering, chromed upper and lower A arms, and Aldan coil over shocks. Next with the help of Charlie Jetton we chopped the top 3 inches, channeled the body down on the frame 1 inch and recessed the fire wall to accept the big block Chevy engine. Built all new floorboards and took all the wood out of the car. I then built my own hidden hinges and a new B pillar for the suicide doors. I tried to keep the dash pretty much stock looking with classic instruments and a/c outlets where there had been another gauge already installed. Put in AirTique a/c system with my own home made heater set up. I have specialty power windows for it along with power brakes and power steering.
The motor is a 427 cu. in. big block Chevy bored .060 over, all roller cam and lifters and roller rocker arms. I have a set of Edelbrock polished aluminum performer heads with a dual quad carburetor set up. The transmission is a Hughes street strip R700R4 with non lock-up. The rear end is a narrowed Corvette with coil over shocks. The wheels are Budnik Fuelers with B F Goodrich Traction TA's, 16 inch in the rear and 15 inch up front. Steering is handled with a chromed Ididit tilt column with a Budnik steering wheel. Cooling is taken care of by a Walker radiator and condenser mounted in a stainless steel grill with. Rootlieb hood.
I hope to have the car on the road this year with a little help from my friends.
Fred Elston