Real Deal Steel 1957 Chevy Body - Building Better Bodies

Measurements are checked for the decklid opening before final welding of the quarter-panels. The check and double-check system keeps the body gaps uniform.

Once satisfied with the fit of the decklid Whitaker and Irwin do the final welding with both the spot-welder and plug welding with a MIG.

This is one of the Real Deal Steel two-door hardtop bodies resting on a gasser frame from Woody’s Hot Rodz. All you need now is a thumper motor, some trim parts and you are on your way.

A chain with a turnbuckle is used to pull the quarter-panels together and hold them in place. Typically the chain is pulling the quarter-panel about 1/2 inch. The chain also prevents the quarters from moving during the welding process. Joe Whitaker is busy fitting the panel ahead of the decklid.

A perfect floor in a Tri-Five Chevrolet, complete with new hinges, a complete spare tire well and perfect fit. Mother Nature has eliminated most of those things from original Tri-Five Chevrolets.

We checked the body alignment on an original ’57 chassis that was in the shop, and sure enough every hole lined up perfectly. This replacement body is spot-on.

After the panel forward of the decklid is fitted a series of spot-welds are performed to hold it in place. Also seen in this photo are the cam-lever locating pins on the inner fixture.

Ross Logsdon lays down a line of spot-welds after carefully fitting the rocker panels to the inner floorpan.

Blocking and sanding will bring the body to paint status. Virtually every trim piece is available in reproduction. Check out the outrageous nose-bleed attitude on that Woody’s Hot Rodz gasser frame.