For the car owner/builder, there's something more to the experience than owning and driving. Don't be mistaken, the pleasure derived from owning your favorite hot rod and making the rounds is unmistakably rewarding. However, the thrill and satisfaction brought about by the hands-on shaping of your own car is truly the ultimate reward.
Brian Stone, of Torrance, California, spent years building cars for others, but with this '55 Chevrolet 210 (post) sedan he was able to not only build his own ride but also the first car to come out of his newly formed metal shop: Stone Classic Creations. The rust-free and straight post-car provided daily transportation for Brian before he began the five-year build process. The first outing for the Chevy was this year's Grand National Roadster Show, followed by the drive to Goodguys Del Mar, and taking home Builder's Choice honors.
Brian's sheetmetal changes for the sedan included filling the cowl vent, firewall, and inner fenders while the transmission tunnel was raised 4 inches and new rear custom flooring with wheel tubs was installed that allowed the body to slide down over the chassis. This effort was performed in order for the body to sit low.
The bodywork was handled by Leonel Vargas of Torrance who then turned the 210 over to Scott Bonowski of Hot Rods & Hobbies, of Signal Hill, California, and together they sprayed on the PPG Blood Red and black. Brushed nickel was liberally used on the front and rear bumpers, door handles, grille, taillight bezels, and other trim, like the Nomad bumper guards. Traditional brightwork, like the chrome, was supplied by Bob Barnes of Verne's Chrome in Gardena, California.
The rear bench seat was scratch-built...
The rear bench seat was scratch-built and covered with cinnamon-colored Scottish leather as was the stock front bench, all by Fast Ed Brescia.
The chassis is based on a stock '55 with the rear C-notched to accommodate the custom crossmember for the RideTech (Jasper, Indiana) airbags and ShockWave 8,000s. Other rear modifications include literally the rear-a Ford 9-inch with 3.50 limited-slip gears, 31-spline axles, triangulated four-bar, and Wilwood (Camarillo, California) four-piston calipers with 12-inch drilled and slotted rotors that make up the rear brake system.
In front, 21/2-inch dropped spindles are used along with a Saginaw 605 power steering box twisted by a Chevy van tilt column topped with a cut-down stock wheel, double-adjustable shocks, and RideTech air ride bags. Wilwood is again used as braking, this time with 14-inch drilled and slotted rotors along with four-piston calipers. The braking system features a Hydroboost from Power Brake Service (Long Beach, California) along with a Corvette dual reservoir master cylinder all pressed into service by a factory pedal assembly. The link between the road and the chassis is a full set of Schott Velocity wheels, measuring 18x8 and 20x10 with Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber that measures 225/40ZR18 and 305/35ZR20.
Note the use of nickel-plated...
Note the use of nickel-plated grommets and the double-diamond stitch pattern on the front and rear seats.
The powertrain is formed around a 405hp Chevy LS1 from Turn Key Engine Supply in Oceanside, California, along with a 700-R4 from Phoenix Transmission Products in Weatherford, Texas (Phoenix also has shops located in Phoenix). Other engine compartment appointments include the Street & Performance (Mena, Arkansas) alternator and a Griffin radiator from Griffin Thermal Products in Piedmont, South Carolina. Street & Performance also supplied the headers. The exhaust system is made from 21/2-inch tubing coupled with stainless MagnaFlow mufflers built by Brian.
The interior utilizes a stock dashboard with Classic Instruments (Boyne City, Michigan) gauges set into brushed nickel insert. Wiring was handled by Huey Weatherbee while the wire comes from American Autowire (Bellmawr, New Jersey). A stock front seat is retained while a custom rear bench was scratch-built by Fast Ed Brescia. The seating and door panels are covered in cinnamon and black Scottish leather in a double-diamond pattern with black Mercedes valor carpeting, all by Fast Ed. The leather seat belts are adorned with nickel-plated grommets and the Scottish leather is again used for the perforated headliner.
To Brian Stone this '55 represents a new beginning that's a great place to start with a new business and a hot rod.
The stock wheel and horn ring...
The stock wheel and horn ring were cut down, then the ring was nickel-plated. The outer rim was covered in interior leather.
The onboard control panel...
The onboard control panel handles the RideTech air suspension.
The brushed nickel dash insert...
The brushed nickel dash insert is equipped with Classic Instruments. The headlight pull-switch and ignition appear stock but, upon closer examination, they're plated in brushed nickel.
Note the door panels are stitched...
Note the door panels are stitched in the same material and double-diamond leather as the bench seat.
The '55 Chevy hood ornament,...
The '55 Chevy hood ornament, front and rear bumpers, stock grille and taillight bezels are all finished in brushed nickel.
A Corvette LS1 from Turn Key...
A Corvette LS1 from Turn Key sports 400-plus horsepower and his linked to a 700-R4.