Project Gallery Project 54

PROJECT NAME: Project 54

CHASSIS: Street Shop Inc. C4 Str8Axl

STATUS: Ongoing

For this project we wanted to build an old style Hot Rod with a modern twist. The body, built by Back to The future Products in Oak Harbor, WA, has been smoothed by removing all the side moldings and bumpers. The original Headlight assemblies, Tail lights and grille have remained for their nostalgic appearance.

On the chassis, we took a slightly different approach than our normal C4 front and rear suspension. While the C4 front is used, the rear is a nine inch Ford unit with a triangulated 4 bar suspension set-up. Our wheels are American Racing Salt Flat Specials, 17 x 8” up front and 17 x 11” on the rear. Front brakes are a Street Shop Exclusive stock type 13” rotor and a Wilwood 4 piston caliper while the rear brakes are a standard Wilwood 9” Ford kit.

We chose a Tremec 5 speed from Classic Chevy 5 Speed and our engine is a custom built 427 cu. in. old-style small block (estimate 500+hp). The induction started as a 1957 Corvette Rochester Mechanical Fuel Injection intake and plenum. We modified the unit for maximum flow and added a 90mm FAST billet Throttle body. When completed, it will have the appearance of an original Injector, but it will be totally electronic fuel injection.

Keeping with the Hot Rod theme, the car’s interior will be very simple. The only real creature comforts will be leather seat covers, Air conditioning and power steering.

Project Pics:

Assembled Chassis waiting for the body to be installed.

Here’s a shot of the Classic Chevy 5 speed and our antique Ansen bellhousing.

This is Vintage Air’s Front Runner System. Very compact, it fits the chassis extremely well.

Nothing like a lot rubber out back; 17x11 with 315/35/17 Sumitomo.

The 9” and triangulated 4 bar are very beefy.

Rear shot of the rear suspension.

Overhead view of the chassis.

The body is being lowered onto the chassis.

The Hot Rod 54 looks mean in black primer.