Thread: 1951 Chevy Deluxe Build

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New to the forum and just wanted to say hello. Also I have some questions. Gathering up information for building my 1951 Chevy Deluxe. My great grandpa bought it new and now I'm wanting to help my dad build the car into a hot rod street cruisin car. Looking into putting in a 383 and was wanting to know some steps to start with. I've also looked into putting in a mustang II front end. Thanks for any help.

welcome to chr. i am sure that there are alot of people here that can help you. not familiar with you car but would love to see pictures of it. it is always great to work with family.

Welcome to the club. Iam sure you will find a lot of good people here for advice. enjoy your stay.

Check out www.chassisengineering.com they will have everything you need to do this.

Welcome to CHR! The '51 is a neat old Chebbie, number of folks on here have one from the same era, but this one being Grandpa's, and building it with your Dad makes it an extra special project!!!!! I've got a great source for MII type front suspension, use them on a lot of projects around here....Let me know if I can help you out on any of the suspension issues!

Have fun with the project and keep us updated on your project with some pictures!

Welcome to CHR! I'm new here also. Lot's of knowledge on this site without the bull.

I'm building a 50 Chevy 2 door as we speak. Lets see some pictures of yours. Good luck on the build.

sweet looking car bouncer

Originally Posted by jyardgirl

sweet looking car bouncer

Don't want to steal this thread but thank you jyardgirl.

Welcome. From what I have seen, putting a later suspension in one of these, like the MMII type, is the way to go. The early Chevy front suspension can be rebuilt and updated somewhat, but they still have those kingpins to deal with that require periodic greasing and attention, plus you are still riding around on 60 year old technology. Modern suspension and some radials will make this car handle and ride so much better. Probably will make slipping in a V8 a lot easier too as the crossmembers tend to be more compact on the MMII types.

Keep us posted and put up lots of pictures. It will help anyone else who might be thinking about doing a similar swap in the future. BTW, don't toss out the old spindles and brakes. Put them on EBAY, individually, and you will get some good money for them. 49-54 spindles are hard to come by as are the brake setups, and lots of straight axle guys use an axle with the Chevy ends on them.

Don

Welcome.............will be a fun build being that it will be with your dad. Projects are fun and frustrating but with family things seem to work out better.
Pics will be required as it gets done...lol........
Try Fatman as well for a front end or even google 51 chevy chassis and I'm sure you will find more places to look.

Welcome to the forum. We love photos, so keep our curiosity in check by posting updates. '49-'52 Chevys are cool!!

Rebuild the stock front end with dropped uprights, and disc brake conversion. Leave the econobox crap under the Pinto's!

Have you seen the article in Street Rodder Magazine?? They have been running a multi-issue article, "Project '51 for $15,000". The January 2011 issue is "Front End Fun", Part 3 Chassis Engineering Frontend Upgrade. Sounds like something you might want to peruse in your leisure time....

Originally Posted by R Pope

Rebuild the stock front end with dropped uprights, and disc brake conversion. Leave the econobox crap under the Pinto's!

I don't believe anyone suggested bolting on Pinto parts!!! They belong in the junkyard, however DOM tubing for A-Arms and forged spindles are hardly econobox crap!!!

Thanks for all the replies and info fellas. Once I get the garage cleaned up and tart working on her I will start posting some pics. One other question is it adviseable to do the engine and chassis work before paint and body or is it the other way around. Thanks again.