Looking from the rear forward...
Looking from the rear forward into the trunk area we can see the decklid hinges and their mounting boxes hanging from the panel connecting the quarter-panels.
Woody’s Hot Rodz has just introduced their all-new ’57 Chevrolet gasser chassis. A study in modern fabrication, the chassis it beautifully finished. The utter simplicity of straight-axles front and rear make this a very attractive way to go. The nose-high stance is built into the axle and Chris Sondles, of Woody’s Hot Rodz, reports the turning radius is every bit as good as a stock ’57 (something a lot of ’60s straight-axle cars couldn’t manage).
When we were at Real Deal Steel in Sanford, Florida, Sondles came down from Bright, Indiana, with his new gasser frame and mounted a two-door hardtop body on that chassis. Woody’s is a dealer for Real Deal Steel so it was only a natural that Sondles would develop a great gasser chassis for these cars. Woody’s also offers at least two other Tri-Five Chevrolet chassis—one based on stock-style suspension and another for the Pro Touring set, but for now let’s take a quick look at the gasser frame. Yes, the reproduction ’57 Chevrolet steel body and frame have arrived and we’re looking forward to a stream of hot rod Chevys rolling out of garages again, just like they did in the ’60s.
We took a body right off the...
We took a body right off the building fixture and dropped it down on a gasser frame by Woody’s Hot Rodz and every bolt hole lined up perfectly, a testament to both the chassis and the body.
Most customers are opting...
Most customers are opting for the complete body, so now it is time to hang the quarter-panels, rocker panels, and mount the decklid. The panels are all coated with a silver weld-through primer.
The fixture has locator pins...
The fixture has locator pins that precisely locate the new quarter-panel skins on the inner quarter-panel structure. Once located a series of spot-welds makes the final connection in the doorjamb area.
The fin design on a ’57 Chevrolet...
The fin design on a ’57 Chevrolet means there is also a small inner quarter-panel. This piece must be fitted perfectly, so it is installed with sheetmetal screws first, then spot- and plug-welded after fitting.
The inner quarter-panel has...
The inner quarter-panel has been welded to the outer quarter-panel, but temporary sheetmetal screws still hold it and the lower tail pan in place during the fitting process on the decklid.
An option available from Real...
An option available from Real Deal Steel through Woody’s Hot Rodz is leading all the seams, just like they did at the factory in 1957. With a body this nice is seems like leading the seams is the only way to go.