58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Built on the premise that "LESS IS MORE" This project is a multi-use, small tire car with a little baby motor for Super/Stock racing among other things. All of the design and fabrication work that you will see was performed by myself. All of the fiberglass enhancements I did as well. This will be the first car I ever painted. I like to do everything myself, all the construction, finish and most of all... the driving! The car is designed to do it all, NHRA Super Stock, IHRA Super/Stock, Nostalgia Super/Stock, Bracket Race, Stock suspension type 10.5 Racing, Car Shows, Street Driving/Cruisin, Hot Rod Power Tour, Super Chevy Shows, Goodguys Shows, National Street Rod Asso. Shows. Who knows...maybe a shot at the salt, out in Bonneville! Can one car fit in all of these programs? Who knows, but I'm trying to build the car with the opportunity to compete or enjoy life in many arenas! .......Should be done in the spring or summer of 2015.......I had to take a break from the project due to hurricane Irene damage to my shop building on 8/2011. I rebuilt the damaged portion of the building (500 sq ft) (did I mention I like to do it all myself...yes the building too) to even better than it used to be. Now (11/2012) I'm finishing the body and paint booth area. Then it's wide open on the Corvette project! The challenge is to win in a car you created....in a building and shop you created from scratch ! The car will be named "The Firefighter Special" and will be involved in the promotion of Firefighter reccognition and awareness.

Here is where the car is today

http://i50.tinypic.com/2qd9749.jpg

Here is what I started with...yes it is a ton of work...but the more effort you put into the journey....the greater the reward...I look at it like, the more you do yourself...the more you win...it's like you win a little bit everyday!

http://i48.tinypic.com/e0h6oy.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2it1nko.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/259igsi.jpg

This is the frame that I pulled out from under the car. Complete with tow bar mounts and straight axle leaf spring mounts

http://i47.tinypic.com/dovqmf.jpg

This is the frame after being stripped of all unneccessary brackets and being dipped and cleaned. I bought this stock front suspension off of Ebay from a seller going to a Mustang II front end

http://i48.tinypic.com/1g6kpy.jpg

This is the front suspension today

http://i48.tinypic.com/35jkp00.jpg

These are the headers I made and had dipped at Nitoplate. The hand made collectors have a slip connection welded into the core for crankcase ventilation. The shroud uses a Flex-a-lite 3300 CFM fan. The front motorplate detail won't be completed till the body is back on the frame.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2vmbjb8.jpg

The rear frame section needed to be narrowed slightly to fit a 10.5 tire under the car and the leaf springs were moved into the frame rail. A 9" ford housing was narrowed and fabricated using all Strange Engineering components.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2199fg2.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/9ftv68.jpg

More to come later on the Body and Roll Cage detail

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Really nice looking project Wade. I certainly have to agree with the concept of doing everything yourself. There are very few people left who have the desire and commitment to complete a long term project such as yours. The level of gratification achieved upon completion of such a venture cannot be compared to anything. My hat's off to ya, enjoy your build. Jerry.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

A few photos of the roll cage detail

http://i45.tinypic.com/24vijgi.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/2mwuq0o.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/bhydd0.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/1kaxv.jpg

I made the seats to provide maximum driver comfort in the small Corvette interior.

http://i48.tinypic.com/mr61kk.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

imagination, thought , engineering very nice work gmonde

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

To address the wheel tub issue, I fabricated a mold from 22 ga steel. I wanted a rounded corner from the sides to the top for a nicer stock appearence. I hand formed a nice wheel tub complete with beads for strength. I then hand laid the fiberglass mat with resin to form a great looking and strong 35" X 14" wheel tub

http://i50.tinypic.com/2hxoryu.jpg

I then trimed the finished tub to fit the car and glassed it into place for a very sweet finish.

http://i49.tinypic.com/n5n66r.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/nou3ye.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I noticed some cracking where the top or the front fender meets the step down for the hood on both sides. I think it must be from leaning on the front fenders while working in the engine bay. So I added two foam strips under the fenders and glassed them in to provide extra support. I call it the "Daytona Package" LOL

http://i50.tinypic.com/28sldgm.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

The firewall and inner fender panels had 158 holes to be filled. I reduced that to just a few for the master cylinder and steering column...yep, fiberglassed um all up!

http://i48.tinypic.com/6i674m.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

The darker areas are where I had to perform a repair from previous owners, fill factory holes or missing pieces, and of course a few racing enhancements

http://i50.tinypic.com/mllah.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Awesome job so far,, Wade. I can't wait to see it finished. If you're thinking about competing in all those different style events,, then you've got to take it to Hot Rod Magazine's Drag Week, at least once. It'll blow them away. Take care.
Danny Durham

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Frank, the 283 has an NHRA rating of 230 horsepower in SS/LA. However the have actual HP a little higher than that.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I kinda feel like the odd ball, doing almost all of the build myself. I always thought everyone did that? Never had the money to do it any other way.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Should have realized that the 283 came out in 57, but the old mine an't what it used to be. Keep the updates coming and pictures are worth a thousand words. frankchastain

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Looking very good Wade when car is finished if does'nt win some best engineered awards I will be surprised. I have always had to make or fix everything I have also so don't feel alone,I'm fortunate to have automotive machine shop so I can do my own engines also.
I'm trying to get started on truck project will tow stockers so would that be close enough to post build will be 87 crew cab chevy daulie w/5.9 cummins and 6 speed frame up restoration/build.

I don't remember if I had commented any on vette before but,I've been following your build and really like it and your pictures look like your craftsmanship is top notch,will be something to be really proud of.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Been doing some body work the last few days, with alot more to come! This poor car has been hit on all four corners. Not real hard, but enough to brake up some fiberglass. Repairs have been made from what looks like a few different body men. Probably from different events during it's life. Anyway, I am addressing them one at a time. I'm working in the rear of the body where stuff is misaligned, fractured or missing all together. It's a ton of work just to get to the competition part of the build. The following are some photos of what I was facing and how the repairs went

http://i50.tinypic.com/29lmseg.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2mz2n8.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/iepgyu.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/2mgwgme.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

It's alot of work but when you are done you'll be done,you won't have anything to go back and fix later or be saying I wish I did this different or had done this,because you appear to be taking care of everything the right way.
People always say buy a car that is done but what I always see is someone getting someone elses problems because so many just cover up the stuff that you are taking the time to fix right.
Keep up the good work man,you'll get there.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Those make beautiful race cars! It's obvious this one is being done right. It willbe worth it when finished.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Hey Wade, did you decide yet on a manual or automatic transmittion yet? Just to help you, here's a picture of Tom's 12.00 stick Mustang to help you out. Remember, 340 HP EFI Ford crate motor, Stock T-5 (2,500 runs before it broke) , $ 300.00 RAM clutch, 4.10 gears. Just think of the fun you could have with good parts.

Tom Sr.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade like I've said before, class car for a class guy. Maybe we can all show up for a sanding party this summer, ten coats of primer is an awful lot of sanding. Hope you have a place to plug my Bus.lol Claude Ruel

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

What a great project, this is going to be really interesting to follow.

Don't feel alone, I too build everything myself.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

That is such a cool project. Great job so far!

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Very nice build Wade, looks great

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Any updates???

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I have a few more "one off things" ...very cool...but very labor intensive for sure....will be next week before I get any more pics up

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Had the Corvette frame on the lift today, so I got a few shots of the rear suspension detail.

http://i49.tinypic.com/4lhjrs.jpg

This is my modified Caltrack set-up. I am going with the leaf spring because of the amount of street driving I'll be doing. The race four link and ladder bar suspensions don't like torsional movement.

http://i45.tinypic.com/30l06eq.jpg

Trans cooler detail is between the main frame rail and the "X" brace

http://i47.tinypic.com/34g10mt.jpg

Trans mount detail and removeable "X" brace portion needed drop the trans

http://i49.tinypic.com/2111h92.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/2mighs.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

That's nice work and well thought out.
Job well done.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

TTT, Its that time again!! Time for an update.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade, nice work, but are you sure there is enough room for the CalTrac front bracket to rotate before it contacts the frame? It looks pretty tight in the photo.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I think the car is on the lift and the rear is hanging down. That puts the brackets in a place they will not be once the car is sitting on the springs.

Wade doesn't usually miss much on his work.....

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Rich, you are correct. The spring arc will be allmost straight at static position. That will pull the CT bracket reward gaining clearence in the front. But it's nice to know that some folks on here actually look at the stuff. I think I have it covered LOL, but I never say never. I have some other stuff to share, but I have sent it to NHRA for compliance verification. Hope I did'nt make a mistake by asking for permission instead of begging for forgiveness like alot of other folks do. The last time I did this they changed the wording in the rule book....not for me, but because I pointed out how many (not who)were in violation of a current rule in the book. Now the new wording brings those in question into compliance....

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Well, I know I'm not settin the world on fire, but I am making a little headway on the car. I put the body on the frame the other day to check fit and function. While it's on the frame I will do several things that need to be done with the body in place.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2409.jpg

This is the first time the car has been on the chassis since it was separated a few years ago. It has stock front suspension where a straight axle suspension once was. And now a 9 inch ford rear where an Olds rear was. I'm happy with the project and I know it's happy LOL

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2414.jpg

The shifter mounted on the trans is cool. It will allow faster converter changes during testing with quick disconnect fluid lines. The hole in the tunnel is large enough to allow the trans to move reward and then straight down....quick change the converter then back up in place. If you need to change out the trans, you can move the shifter over while the trans is on the bench where it's nice and easy. When I switch over to manual transmission, I don't have to deal with the shifter mounted to the floor. I want to have the stick and street engine able to swap out for the race application 283/glide. I'll be fabricating a two piece cover for the hole

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2415.jpg

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

This is my fabricated shifter detail. The 1/2" chrome-moly tubing in that configuration is extremely strong and concrete firm. It simply bolts up using the shifters pre-drilled mounting holes

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2387.jpg

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Somebody's going to copy that idea and put it on the market!
Excellant work

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade how are you coming along with your Corvette, Send us a video of the car and your shop, it would be nice to sneal a peak. Claude

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Claude, I'm coming along with the project OK. I'll be putting up some photos and videos more regularly now I think. Hopefully I'll be getting the stuff done that I needed the body on the frame for, this coming week. Then get the body back off to paint the underneath, trunk, interior,and the engine bay. After that, the body goes back on for keeps....then it should roll on pretty good. Here I'm getting prepared to do the drive shaft loops....gonna show some actual welding process "live" if you will...."in helmet cam"! Well, gonna give it a good try anyway LOL. I love the sense of accomplishment I get by doing everything myself....it's really cool!

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2446.jpg

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Love the Garage !!

D

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Thanks Dan,

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I got the driveline loops done today. I wanted the body on the frame when I fab'ed up these things (with a shaft in place) in order to provide perfect placement. The front loop is way up in the tunnel made of 1/4 X 2 flat steel, and is a glove fit because of the lack of room. The rear loop is 1" X .095" chrome-moly and TIG welded. It's removable just in case a chrome shop wants to give me a little break on chrome work. LOL

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2462.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2465.jpg

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Working on the seats and driver restraint system mounting points. The first thing I did was locate the seat in the car for maximum driver comfort. Then holes were drilled through the seat and floor. There are no mounting provisions for aftermarket aluminum sheetmetal seats in these old Corvettes as you can see

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2468.jpg

I welded a piece of 1" X .095 Chrome-Moly tubing in place as a cross member. This provides a structure that would be suitable for the seat mounts as well as the "crotch strap" mounting point.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2476.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2483.jpg

I had to come up with a mounting point for the inside lap belt (closest to the drive line tunnel). So I welded tabs to the drive line loop cross member. The cross member loop also attaches to the body at the top of the loop for additional support. Note: This belt is an old belt and not correct for this type of anchor design, and only used here for visual mounting alignment.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2480.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...elineloop2.png

I made the seats from .080 aluminum sheet in two pieces. The bottom is completely welded to the wrap around back and sides. 1/2" round aluminum stock is then formed and solid welded all the way around except across the front bottom. The seats were then powder coated in black wrinkle finish. Four panels make up the seat interior (the bottom, back, and two "L" shaped sides)

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2481.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2500.jpg

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

That is some beautiful work on your car! Keep the pix coming.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Absolutely impeccable work, it's going to be and incredible car.

JimR