This is my 37 Chevy Panel, 112” wheelbase. After 10 years, it’s almost ready for the road. When I found the project, it was in baskets, and in pretty bad shape, as the pictures show.
I used the stock frame, and installed a Fatman M-II front end. The steering is also M-II, with a GM P/S pump, pressure reduced. The donor drive train is from an 85’ Camaro, freshened 305 TPI motor coupled to a 700R-4. March Performance supplied the serpentine pulleys and brackets. I used a 9” Ford differential, currently with a 3:00 gear, and removed 6 leafs from the stock rear springs, Alden adjustable coil-overs in the front. Power disk brakes all around, Coys 17” front & 18” rear wheels w/ Nexen rubber. I used a BeCool aluminum radiator, and fabricated a shroud from polished stainless. I also fabricated an 18 gallon stainless fuel tank that resides behind the rear differential with an external fuel pump and filter. A Hagen fuel door with cap-less filler completes the circuit. All engine linkage and dipsticks are Lokar, Hooker ceramic coated block huggers into 2” stainless exhaust with Flowmaster stainless Super 50’s. Borgeson steering joints, and stainless DD shafting. The body was channeled 6” over the frame, and the rear fenders widened 3”. Running boards were smoothed, and the front fenders were too far gone to repair, they were replaced with Superior Glassworks fiberglass. The front doors were shaved and Rocky’s suicide hinges installed. The front grill is a re-chromed original; [censored] Moffit reconditioned the stainless trim. Speedway provided the electric door release and window kits, King Bee headlights with parking and turn lamps inside, and the swan neck mirrors. The LED tail lights came from Southern Rods, along with the Banjo steering wheel. Jim Carter provided a correct wiper motor and arm, and many other incidentals.
The steering column is an Ididit tilt with the dimmer installed into the turn switch. An
E-Z Wire 21 circuit, and a Howell TPI harness handle the electricals that are tucked in behind the console under the dash. Ididit also supplied the push button start, Clayton AC vents, and Vintage Air unit. The gauges are Haneline’s Duals w/Speedo. All of the glass was replaced by Custer Glass of Monroe, Mi. The two toned paint is PPG Dark and Dramatic Deep Plum (#51685) and Silver Metallic (#908418), sprayed by Todd Crum of Oak Harbor, Ohio.
The interior upholstery and trim is being finished by Spiros of Ev’s Auto of Toledo, Ohio. The re-covered seats are from a ‘95 Lincoln, and feature 8 way adjustability. Almost every nut and bolt in this car is stainless steel, and wherever I could, I used button heads for the look.
With this drive train combination, I expect 20+ mpg. This panel drives and handles like a dream, and is very comfortable.
http://s1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff402/Plee37/37%20Panel%20Show/
