Marc,
A '56 Chevy weighs around 3400 pounds, probably a lot more with fluids,
passengers, etc. Very similar to a vintage A/S. The terrific advantage of
owning one compared to other makes is parts availability.
I also own a '57 Bel Air Sport Coupe. Just to illustrate the point, the '57
has a rebuilt and mildly modified 350 Chevy engine cannibalized from a '73
Monte Carlo, a rebuilt and mildly modified TH-700R4 overdrive automatic
transmission taken from an '86 Suburban, late model Chevy alternator from
??, a Mallory Unilite electronic ignition distributor, new radiator, new
after market shroud, new water pump, new fuel pump, new Carter AFB
carburetor, a Master Power Brakes front power disc brake kit, stabilizer
bars front and rear from Performance Suspension Technology (PST), a new
underdash A/C, etc. original 4.11:1 positrac differential, etc. A friend
and I drove it almost 6000 miles in May '98 to participate in the Hot Rod
Magazine Power Tour. We drove from West TX to San Bernardino, CA, joined
the tour, drove to Mt. Clemens, MI, then back to TX via South Bend, IN
(Studebaker Museum) and Bowling Green, KY (Corvette museum and factory). We
drove the then 41 year old Chevy 70-80 mph all day each day averaging about
18.5 mpg and the only failure we encountered was a stop light bulb.
I know, it is not A/S talk. Please forgive me. But the overall subject was
towing an A/S with an old car.
Harvey
----- Original Message -----
From: Weimers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> With the availability of parts on those 55 to 57 Chevys, their good looks,
> and proven reliability, I have pondered getting one of them to use as an
> every day car. I never thought of using one for towing, however. In some
> ways, a Chevy would be better than the Mopar stuff I've been using, since
> Mopar is a little hard to find some parts for (harder to get body parts,
for
> sure). The late 60's and early 70's full size Chrysler products are very
> stable tow cars (from experience). I'd be interested to hear how a '56 Che
vy
> would be (I've never owned one).
>
> We had a '64 Pontiac (when I was a kid) that was not as good as the
Chrysler
> products are. The Mopars have better stability and a better transmission
> (than a '64 Pontiac). An updated '56 Chevy might be just the ticket! I
like
> that idea (unless I hear otherwise. ) ! Does a '56 Chevy weigh enough to
be
> a stable tow car? (an early '70's Chrysler weighs about as much as an
> aircraft carrier ....and drives like one too).
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