1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

I am starting what will most likely be a multi year project but wanted to share and see if anyone has any old pictures or info of this car.

It was originally built by my Dad in 1969 and raced in the 1970 season in stock. For 1971 he built a 56 2dr sedan which he still races today.
He sold the wagon to Don Bohnenkamp from Minneapolis who ran the car for a few years before then selling it to Rich Muhlenhardt. Rich ran the car until 1980 and it has not been on the track since. It passed through one other owner before Dad caught wind of it and bought the car back.

It will be a slow build but I will try to post some updates as progress is made.

Again, if anyone has any further info or pictures of the car to share that would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Chad

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Chad, I remember seeing the car at the Anoka and North Star tracks. What a great project! :) -Al

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Stock or Super Stock?

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

What and where does a person get the red things bolted to the axles that fit or are the dollies? They do look handy.

Its goin' to be "Way Cool"

Thanks.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

I did a search on "Hub Dollies" and found a bunch.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Looks like he uses to ones from Nebraska, five bolt hub dollies.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Larry - the dolly set under the car is from Merrick Machine. They are adapters for their standard wheel dolly's. They can be found from various online retailers. I have a set of standard dolly's under each car for the winter to make moving things around so much easier.

Chad

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Taking out the wheel tubs and moving the springs back to stock hangers for a 9" tire car. Possible 265/225hp stocker if I follow suit with my Dads combination.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

FYI
Paul Lindberg in Minnesota racing a '56 Sedan in N/SA
265/225/216
12.37 in M
12.28 in N

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Paul is my father, this wagon was his first car before he built the sedan for the 1971 season. He took the complete drive train out of the wagon and dropped it into the sedan and picked up a tenth back 50 years ago. Probably be the same tenth slower duplicating his current setup and putting it into the wagon again. The wagon is a natural O car but it would probably make more sense to add a little weight and run P since it is on the high side of O at 15.82 in its original 210 trim.

Chad

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

You might pick up more than a tenth, todays tires and track prep being what they are.

Enjoying your project...

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Does the 1956 engine have different pistons than the 1955?

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

The picture of the car black was at the old North Star Dragstrip. We had a lot of fun racing there.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

The '55 pistons are flat tops with no valve reliefs. For '56 and 57 the 265 pistons had valve reliefs added.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

The 55 265s and early built 56 265s had flat top pistons, but GM stopped production of them mid 1956. You could not even order them from a dealer from mid 56 on.The part number was discontinued. If you build a 55 Stocker you must use the flat tops, and you must use a cam with 230 or less duration because of no piston to valve clearance. NHRA let the Jr Stockers use the valve relief pistons back in the 60s,and early 70s,but not now.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Continuing with the tear down.
Mid 70's suspension technology at its finest.

Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon
 

Jerico !