The front shackle mounts are...
The front shackle mounts are in keeping with the rest of the chassis, clean, simple, and attached with precision welds.
While this is standard fare in bare roller configuration, remember Woody’s Hot Rodz is a full service rod shop and they are more than happy to add custom features like driveshaft loops or different motor mounts to your chassis. Looking to put a 409 underhood? No problem, and they can even provide a complete body and chassis package in virtually any state of completion.
Of course this chassis is designed for the enthusiast looking for the all-out gasser treatment, but remember, every gasser in the ’60s didn’t run a straight-axle, nor does every hot rodder today want the somewhat radical approach of driving a straight-axle car long distances.
The spring and shock mounting...
The spring and shock mounting design keeps everything under the frame so tires can mount all the way to the outside of the framerail. Accommodations for the stock Chevrolet gas tank solve that problem. Reproduction Chevy fuel tanks are available from Tanks.
This fact was not lost on Woody’s Hot Rodz, so in addition to the Full Wood straight-axle frame they designed and built a hot rod chassis for the Tri-Five Chevrolet that would incorporate plenty of room for gasser goodies like wheelwell headers, but with a more conventional A-arm suspension borrowed from a first-generation Camaro. This is the Hot Wood chassis and what makes this chassis so cool is the fact that all the suspension parts are from a first-generation Camaro. The stamped-steel control arms, steering box, and spindles are all sourced from the Camaro, so parts are readily available. Combine all this great design with unrivaled fabrication that includes TIG-welded mounts and you have a cruising chassis that provides a much improved ride over the stock Tri-Five suspension. And, much like the Full Wood frame, this new chassis makes it possible to build a brand-new ’57 Chevrolet from the ground up.
The framerails allow for plenty...
The framerails allow for plenty of rubber under the rear quarter-panels. In this case a set of Rocket Igniter wheels are wrapped with Coker piecrust cheater slicks.
The chassis was also designed to accept big- or small-block Chevrolet motors, and if you use the Woody’s Hot Rodz motor mounts both small- and big-block headers, designed for the first-generation Camaro, and that includes both long- and short-tube headers. Any original body, including station wagons and convertibles, will bolt on the chassis with no modifications required, and of course the all-new Real Deal Steel bodies also drop right in place, and yes the stock gas tank works just fine on this frame.
When we spoke with Chris Sondles, owner of Woody’s Hot Rodz, it was obvious he is a huge fan of bringing back the hot rod Chevrolets. While the body and frame is a giant step in that direction, Sondles is busy developing even more parts that will give your Tri-Five Chevrolet that real hot rod look.
Yes, the reproduction ’55-57 Chevrolet steel body and frame is here, with the ’56 Chevrolet slated for early 2012. By the spring of 2012 we look forward to a stream of hot rod Chevys rolling out of garages again, just like they did in the ’60s, solid lifter cams rattling under dual quads with stacks protruding through the hood. It’s all great gasser stuff, and while you might never be able to be a kid again, building a real gasser will let you act like one.
The wheels up front are Rocket...
The wheels up front are Rocket Launchers, by Rocket Wheel, and that seems like an appropriate wheel for a street-going gasser. Bias-ply tires from Coker help keep the dateline correct.
A brand-new Currie 9-inch...
A brand-new Currie 9-inch rear housing mounts to parallel leaf spring with tube shocks. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. Ladder bars are optional, and of course a good old set of “slapper bars” could be added for some additional gasser flavor too.
The complete rear suspension...
The complete rear suspension looks like your typical Tri-Five Chevrolet rear suspension, and yet every bit of what you see here is an improvement over anything found under an original ’57 Chevy.
Nothing says gasser more than...
Nothing says gasser more than a set of cool ladder bars under the car. The ladder bars are optional on the Woody’s Hot Rodz Tri-Five gasser chassis.
The Hot Wood chassis incorporates...
The Hot Wood chassis incorporates front suspension components from the first-generation Camaro, but the frame was also designed to accept wheelwell headers (designed for Camaro) and the overall workmanship is spot-on. The frame is surprisingly affordable.
The body mounts on the new...
The body mounts on the new Woody’s chassis will accept any ’57 Chevrolet, as well as the new Real Deal Steel body. Building a hot rod with a new frame and chassis speeds up the process.
Looking from the rear we can’t...
Looking from the rear we can’t help but be impressed with the chassis. A driveshaft loop is optional on the new frame; you’ll have to make your own wheelie bar brackets.
The stamped steel control...
The stamped steel control arms are available fully chrome-plated, and any brake kit designed for a Camaro will fit too. Note the high level of craftsmanship on the chassis and the beautiful welding throughout.
More ingenuity in action,...
More ingenuity in action, an adjustable transmission crossmember mount allows you to install the tranny of your choice and of course this also makes removal easier, should that need arise.
Just to let you know the Woody’s...
Just to let you know the Woody’s chassis has an aggressive gasser stance; we thought we’d end this story with a shot of the brand-new ’57 Chevrolet hardtop body on the Woody’s gasser frame.
The front crossmember, radiator...
The front crossmember, radiator support, and fully boxed framerails all add up to one very stout chassis; perfect for that built big-block 427 you had in mind.