Gene picked an EZ Boy kit when it came to the interior. The taupe and white vinyl kit came in time to keep Gene and Karen busy during the winter when it was too cold to work in the garage. They used their Ping-Pong table in the basement for building the seats, and they installed the entire interior with the exception of the headliner-they called on expert Scott Downey for this tricky part. A JVC CD player supplies the music while Vintage Air will supply the heat and air for driving comfort.
Gene says if he was to do it over again he would probably use a Mustang II-type front suspension and a mildly modified Chevy 6 with dual pipes. Personally, I wouldn't change a thing. This custom is right on.
| F A C T S & F I G U R E S |
| Gene and Karen Weaver |
| Wichita, Kansas |
| 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air |
| CHASSIS |
| Frame / Manufacturer | stock / Chevrolet |
| Wheelbase | stock, 115” |
| Modifications | ’69 Camaro subframe |
| Chassis plumbing | stock / Chevy |
| Rearend / Ratio | ’75 Nova / 2.73:1 |
| Rear suspension | stock, 2” blocks |
| Rear brakes | drum, ’75 Nova |
| Front suspension | ’69 Camaro |
| Front brakes | ’69 Camaro / drum |
| Master cylinder | ’75 Nova |
| Steering box | stock ’69 Camaro |
| Wheel covers | ’57 Caddy |
| Front wheel make, size | Chevy Steel, 15” |
| Rear wheel make, size | Chevy Steel, 15” |
| Front tire make, size | Diamond Back Classics (Conway, SC) wide whites, 205/75/15 |
| Rear tire make, size | Diamond Back wide whites, 205/75/15 |
| Gas tank | The Filling Station (Lebanon, OR) |
| Other chassis items | front A-arms narrowed 1” & Just Suspension front springs |
| ENGINE |
| Make | 1975 Chevrolet |
| Displacement | 350ci |
| Machining / Assembly | O’Reilly Auto Parts |
| Pistons | stock Chevy 40 over |
| Camshaft | COMP Cams (Memphis, TN) model 12-242-2 |
| Water pump | Chevy short pump |
| Cooling fan | stainless steel |
| Radiator | ’79 Chevy Impala three-row |
| Valve covers | SSI finned aluminum |
| Manifold / Induction | Edelbrock (Torrance, CA) / Edelbrock 600-cfm |
| Exhaust / Mufflers | Smithy’s / Bill’s American Mufflers (Wichita, KS) |