1957 Chevrolet 150 Sedan Gasser - Anti-Gas Formula

With the help of Dave Pleasant/Quality Machine Company (Dayton, OH), Doug was able to turn a solid ’57 passenger car frame into an even more solid Gasser chassis. The ’rails are reinforced front to rear and the wheelbase extended 2 inches by incorporating a new forward section that includes custom crossmembers and engine/suspension mounts. A Speedway Motors parallel leaf setup locates a tube front axle equipped with Speedway spindles and GM disc brakes; a Ford 9-inch limited-slip rear utilizes leaf springs as well but with added traction bar support.

Drivetrain

Rather than going with an outrageously blown big-block as many would assume, Doug chose to go the more sensible (shall we say “anti-gas”?) route for the Chevy’s powertrain. Using a ’70s-vintage SBC machined and prepped by Fetters Racing Engines (West Milton, OH), he assembled a mild yet respectable Mouse motor that features a steel crank, TRW 10:1 pistons, COMP cam, iron Dart cylinder heads, PerTronix ignition, and an Edelbrock intake topped with a 4150 Holley carb. The unique-looking fenderwell exhaust starts with a set of Hooker headers, terminating with baffled collectors. Behind the 355 Doug installed a Tremec six-speed outfitted with a Centerforce clutch, connected to the aforementioned 9-inch (with 31-spline axles and a 4.11 ring-and-pinion) with a custom-made driveshaft from American Driveline.

Body & Paint

Having the “fortune” of being able to rely on an entire inventory of vintage Chevy parts certainly helped with the project, but ultimately it was the combined labor effort contributed by Doug, his son, Mike, and former partner Boyd Spencer who truly get the credit for the flawless fit and finish of the ’57 (paint by Spencer). Not present on the car at the moment are a hood (hanging in the garage), complete grille surround, or front bumper—but from the firewall back, Doug did manage to install the 150’s trim package, door handles, rear bumper, etc.

Wheels & Tires

The fully detailed chassis rolls on a quartet of period-influenced and polished aluminum Majestic wheels (15x6 and 15x8, respectively) capped with 195/75R15 Mastercraft radials up front and the appropriate 30x10x15 M/T slicks out back.

Interior

Spartan is key for not only your average Gasser interior, but for a stock 150 sedan as well. Rick Futrell (Dayton, OH) redid the Chevy’s innards in OE fashion using mostly black cloth and vinyl trimmings with the cobblestone accent pieces on the (front only) bench seat. Doug added a bit of ’70s “flair” by throwing in a set of Keep On Truckin’ floormats, but aside from an early Sun tach and a ’69 Corvette steering wheel, the interior is mostly stock.