Last month we kicked off the first of a three-part series on building the Road Tour 2001 Chevrolet. In that installment the metamorphosis started as our creampuff '36 standard sedan began the transformation from stock to street rod. We followed along as the crew at Fatman Fabrications installed one of their independent frontends, a Chassis Engineering parallel leaf spring suspension in the rear, built a custom X-member, and installed the mounts for the PAW-built small-block Chevy and 700-R4 transmission.
With Fatman's work wrapped up, the Chevy was off to Jim and Lisa Swan at CarFab, Inc., in Concord, North Carolina. The Swans agreed to install the engine, transmission, some accessories, and the sedan would be on its way, but that was before they saw the car. CarFab is known for not taking halfway measures and there were some things about the stock Stovebolt they just couldn't ignore, but we'll let Jim tell the story.
"When I was first approached about doing the STREET RODDER 2001 tour car, my part of the project was to consist of installing the engine, transmission, radiator, air conditioner, and wiring harness. But things changed. Soon we were stripping off all the exterior sheetmetal to prepare for paint; removing the interior and steam-cleaning the car inside and out to get rid of the odor from the little creatures who had taken up residence at one time or another; fabricating and welding in a transmission tunnel and battery box cover; then we acid-etched the floor and coated it with POR-15. Next we welded all the holes in the firewall, then smoothed and painted the engine side. Back inside the car we installed a Dynamat insulation kit (great stuff and Dave Hall and the group at Dynamic Control were a big help). Then we repaired the cowl vent hinge, plugged most of the holes in the dash, and prepared it and the window trim for paint.
"Now it was on to the installation of the engine. First the new radiator, air conditioning condenser, and electric fan were installed in the grille shell. On the other end of the car, the Dan Fink vacuum-operated license plate holder was put in place along with the Rock Valley gas tank. A Classic Transportation cooler/battery box with an Optima battery went in the trunk.
"Back under the dash, the Newport Engineering wipers were installed (a very simple two-bolt process with a pre-wired switch). The American Auto Wire fuse panel and the Southern Air air conditioner were mounted to the firewall. As the car has no defroster vents, only three ducts were required. The freshly painted dash needed some instruments, so Haneline sent a great looking two-gauge set, each measuring 4 9/16 inches. The holes in the dash measured 4 1/8 inches, which meant cutting into the new paint (the painter had been and gone); fortunately we were able to cut the holes without damaging the finish. At this point, all new glass was ordered from the Glasshouse. I&I supplied all the stuff necessary to install it, along with a lot of interior and exterior trim pieces--again, all were really nice products.
"Back to the outside once more. The Jet 700-R4 transmission was bolted to the PAW small-block, but then it was discovered the change in transmission had not been passed along to the chassis builder, so a 2-inch adjustment had to be made to the crossmember. Now the engine and transmission slipped right in, but when it came time to mount the grille shell with the radiator and electric fan, there was a problem--the water pump snout interfered with the fan. To save the day, Brent from Fatman's took the car back to his shop and relocated the motor mounts and steering linkage so everything would clear. (Editor's note: read last month's story about planning ahead and what happened when we swapped some key components late in the game.)
"With the changes made and the engine and transmission installed, the car went to Denny's Cars and Mufflers in Indian Trail (off Hwy 218) for a complete exhaust system, then it was back to CarFab to continue assembly by installing all the neat stuff that came from Lokar. We started with the gas and brake pedals that came complete with all the cables, hardware, and easy to follow instructions. Then we installed the emergency brake lever with all the cables, the engine oil and transmission fluid dipsticks, and throttle valve control cable. All of these were in steel braid for a nice touch. Finally we installed the neutral safety switch.
"Next it was on to the plumbing. We started with the gas line from Classic Tube, and then I made hard lines for the brake booster, PCV valve, distributor vacuum advance, and the vacuum-operated license plate holder. The air conditioner came with a complete installation kit for the heater and air conditioner so those lines only needed to be cut to length and the ends crimped on.
"After installing the battery cables from the trunk-mounted battery to the engine, it was back inside to complete the wiring; about four days later everything worked. Next it was off to Leon Brown's Custom Upholstery, also in Concord, North Carolina. Leon installed a complete interior, including carpet and panels in the trunk in less than a week, and it looked great. It went out Leon's door and the last time we saw the car it was going towards Ohio."
Our baseball caps are off to the Swan's at CarFab and the Browns at Leon Brown's Custom Upholstery. Everyone involved at both these businesses went above and beyond the call of street rod duty by doing outstanding work in an incredibly short period of time. The next stop for the Road Tour Chevy was Wade Hughes' shop in Cincinnati, Ohio, for paint and a flame job you'll have to see to believe.
If you want to see the Road Tour 2001 Chevy you'll have the opportunity at any of the 11 stops Jerry Dixey will make on his way to NSRA events all over the country (see the schedule in this month's Happenings). And if you're really lucky, you'll see the Road Tour sedan every time your garage door opens, because this September we'll be giving it away. Enter the sweepstakes at an NSRA event, or with the form found in the pages of SRM. Good luck!
Jim Swan, of CarFab, assembled...
Jim Swan, of CarFab, assembled our Road Tour sedan in record time, especially considering that a few last minute changes in components meant the engine mounts had to be moved. Nonetheless, Jim kept smiling.
While the car was still at...
While the car was still at Fatman's an 8-inch Ford rearend was installed with a Chassis Engineering parallel leaf spring assembly. Not only do these kits provide an excellent ride, they center the wheels in the fender. In stock form the wheels are too far forward; note that the axle is now slightly behind the rubber axle snubber on the frame.
Along with the springs, Chassis...
Along with the springs, Chassis Engineering supplied a rear sway bar. The yet-to-be installed shocks came from Hal, while Kugel Komponents supplied the various clamps to secure the plumbing and battery cable to the frame.
Replacing the stock, rusty...
Replacing the stock, rusty tank was a new reproduction from Rock Valley. The all stainless construction ensures corrosion won't be a problem in the future.
With the tank in place, the...
With the tank in place, the next project was installing the vacuum-operated license plate mount from Dan Fink. As soon as the engine starts the plate swings down in plain view.
Leon and Linda Brown handled...
Leon and Linda Brown handled the upholstery chores. With a shop full of work they still managed to stitch a gorgeous interior in a week.
Before Leon could sew the...
Before Leon could sew the new he had to rip out the old. Here he carefully removed the headliner so it could be used for a pattern.
With the headliner and upholstery...
With the headliner and upholstery panels removed, the Chevy was treated to a full complement of Dynamat insulation. A great addition to any car, it makes them easier to heat and cool, as well as much quieter.
Although our Chevy was extremely...
Although our Chevy was extremely sound, the years had taken their toll on the floorboards. Fortunately, the damage was easily repaired with POR-15.
As part of the floor refurbishing...
As part of the floor refurbishing Jim fabricated a new access panel for the master cylinder, and welded in a new transmission tunnel and a cover over the battery box opening.
With the necessary sheetmetal...
With the necessary sheetmetal work done, Jim brushed on the two-part POR-15 to make the floor good as new.
The metalwork continued on...
The metalwork continued on the dash with the filling of all the unused holes, such as those for the choke and throttle controls. Next was a splash of tan paint to match the upholstery.
For accessibility the American...
For accessibility the American Autowire fuse panel was mounted to the left of the steering column on the firewall. Next under the dash would be a Southern Air heat and cool unit.
Lokar supplied the throttle...
Lokar supplied the throttle pedal assembly, emergency brake handle and cables, and pad for the ECI brake pedal.
To keep Dixey comfy on his...
To keep Dixey comfy on his cross-country jaunt, CarFab added a layer of insulation to the sedan's floor.
Leon Brown's sewing machine...
Leon Brown's sewing machine was at redline for a week to get this interior done. Topping off the ididit tilt column is a Lecarra wheel. Juliano's supplied the color-coordinated seatbelts.
If you're rod running, you...
If you're rod running, you might as well be comfortable. The Road Tour car is that, plus there's room for family and friends.
While the front sheetmetal...
While the front sheetmetal was off and before the engine went in, Jim plugged a variety of holes, then smoothed the firewall.
With the engine and transmission...
With the engine and transmission in place next up was the installation of the Walker radiator. Notice the notch in the radiator support to clear the rack and pinion steering.