Dad's 57

[shadoe]

My dad bought a 1957 chevy Bel-air in 1965.He drove this car for a couple years.This was the car that he was driving when he started dating my mom.As long as I have remembered the car has never ran.We have worked on it on and off over the past 20 years but my dad worked so much that not much actually got done.The frame was rusted out so we bought a 56 chevy and were in the process of getting it together.In June my dad came down with lung cancer.While he was sick plans were being made of what we would do when he got better.November 3rd 2006 my dad pasted away.Now it is up to me to finish what my dad started.That's why I found this website and I'll be asking everyone for there ideas.
Thanks,Shadoe

[55delray]

nice story welcome to the site. post some build pics if you can.

[shadoe]

Yeah not much put together but will post some this weeks.Thanks

[chevman57]

Shadoe welocome to the site. Sorry to hear about your dad. My dad never got to see my 57 finished before he passed away, so i kinda understand.
Terry

[55fazzi]

Shadoe,
Welcome aboard. Sorry for your loss. Directly below your thread there is one titled "Tri Five as medicine". Read through the post's. You'll read some touching stories on how our passion for our cars helped us get through some rough times. I think your story would be right at home with the others.

Build your car as a living tribute to your father. I'm sure his plans for the car were actually plans of spending time with you. Stay strong. Make some plans and get busy. There are lots of good people and great information available here. All you've got to do is ask!!

Tom

[1957chevy]

I'm deeply saddened by your loss, but hopeful that the 57 will help you through the healing process. We're here to help, cajole, and harass! Don't be shy, post some pics and we'll get started!

[PaPa Mike]

Welcome Shadoe, Sorry to hear about your Dad, I lost my Dad in Feb. 2000, so I know how you feel. The main reason I now have my '55 BelAir is because it reminds me so much of the one my Dad bought in '59. Him and I spent a lot of good times riding around and working on that car. He let me have it when I got my license and I drove it through high school . I sold it in'70 and have missed it since. After Dad died my wife found the '55 I now have and got it for me Christmas 2003. I have so many good memeories while driving and working on it.
Anyway, welcome to the site, hop right in and ask your questions, I promise eomebody will have the answers

[dseale4888]

Sorry for your loss!!! We all answer questions that we can and usually some one on here will be able to give you the answer you need.
Dave

[Toms57chevy]

Shadoe welcome to the site. Sorry for your lost, I too lost my dad to lung cancer May 19th of this year. My dad said that he thought the 57 chevy was the best looking car chevy ever made. He really liked my car. Any way I have found some comfort by working on my57. It takes time to heal. You will never get over it, but it gets easier to handle it. Hey this is a great site with a bunch of good people. We all learn from each other.
Tom

[shadoe]

Thanks everyone
:)

[Newbie]

Welcome to the site Shadoe. Your story made me think of my parents, both deceased. They knew of my love for old cars but passed away before I got my 57 Chevy. Your story caused me to picture what it may have been like to drive up to my parents' home with my 57. I can just hear my loving mother (who was always looking out for my best interests) asking why in the world would I ever spend money on such an old car, that she was sure was falling apart. (I mean that in a good way.:) ) And, my dad, who, would have looked it over in an apraising sort of way, checked out the motor, and would have assured mom that the car was not going to fall apart or get me killed. I want to thank you for that picture. Restore that Tri-five because owning a tri-five is like keeping a piece of your own past alive and holding it close to your heart.

Steve

[g3 Chevy Parts]

So sorry to hear of your loss. My dad was my inspiration and very good friend and now he is gone too. My dad also bought a 57 chevy in 1965. He also dated my mom in that car. (sounded so similar). We don't have that car anymore but I do still have MY first car after 22 years. It is a 57 2dr sedan that was found for me by.....you guessed....my dad. He spent many hours working with me on it and alot of money, too. He died 2 years ago just one week after KC Goodguys event. He bought a new shifter for my 57 at that event and we never got to install it together. Well I didn't go back to that event in 2005......just hurt too much. I did go this year and I did install that shifter. Now everytime I drive the car I think of him as I put it in gear. It will get easier with time. I just try to remeber how lucky I was to have a good relationship with my dad. And now its my job to try to inspire my son.

Best wishes,
Geoff

[keith]

Very sorry for your loss Shadoe. Pops is not to far off from that day, and I am not looking forward to that. Pops had always talked about his 56 he had as a kid and always wanted one again. One of the reasons me and my brother are helping him restore the one he found. Dad has done so much for us kids thru the years that it was time to do something about that. He still has a handfull of good years left and I/we want him to enjoy it as much as possible.

Hopeing to have his 56 done by the end of winter, that's the goal anyways.

[PaPa Mike]

Very sorry for your loss Shadoe. Pops is not to far off from that day, and I am not looking forward to that. Pops had always talked about his 56 he had as a kid and always wanted one again. One of the reasons me and my brother are helping him restore the one he found. Dad has done so much for us kids thru the years that it was time to do something about that. He still has a handfull of good years left and I/we want him to enjoy it as much as possible.

Hopeing to have his 56 done by the end of winter, that's the goal anyways.

Keith; I hope you and your brother are able to finish the '56 with plenty of time to spend with your Dad, I just wish I could have gotten mine and taken Dad for one more ride before I lost him. My fondest memories was of Dad, me and our '55.

[shadoe]

Thanks everyone

[57 sedan delivery]

Shadoe - Sorry to hear of your loss but be sure he is looking down on you and grinning. My Dad saw many of my 57's done and although he wasn't a car person he seemed to enjoy them, my Mom on the other hand was as said above always wondering why I was wasting my time and money on those old cars. She used to always give me grief about driving a pickup and would tell me no self respecting lady would ride in one, she sure liked my wife even though she drove her own pickup.:)