Gasser Chassis Build

The chrome five-point rollcage wouldn't pass NHRA tech, but it does bolt to the chassis at all points, and is an important part of the period look of the Chevy. It was designed and built with a series of slip joints, so it can be installed and removed easily. The forward leg doesn't interfere with the passenger seating, although it can be removed, leaving the rest of the cage.

The rear tires are 8.20-15 Mickey Thompson Radir cheaters. The wheels are rare American Racing Standards from the late '60s. These aluminum four-spokes were only produced in a very limited number. Todd managed to find four of them. Jimmy put them on a lathe to round the squared edges, sealed the large center holes with a 1/8-inch aluminum plate, then polished them. To correctly position the larger wheels in the '57 Chevy wheelwells, Jimmy fabricated custom spring mounts to move the rearend back 1 inch. Now, the tires are centered instead of sitting too far forward.

You can see where Jimmy cut the stock 'rails just past where the shocks mount to the frame. From that spot forward, he created a tubular chassis using steel plates to box the 'rails with 2x4, 1/8-wall mild steel tubing. The whole frame has been finished in black powdercoating.

This bracket behind the Moon tank is the single point where the '57 body attaches to the chassis in front.