Hi everyone. I've owned my '55 vert. for 14 months and it never left my driveway for various reasons. Mostly through choice I guess. I was finally able to get it registered recently and today was it's inaugural ride. Maiden voyage. It started quite well considering it had been sitting for about 6 months or so. Warmed up and backed out of the garage. Saw a decent size spot of transmission fluid on the floor and wasn't surprised. It was spread out. Always looks like more then it really is. I would guess at maybe no more then 1/2 quart. Checked the fluid (another post in different section) and filled it to capacity on dip stick. Previously checked anti-freeze, PS fluid and oil. All good. Then my journey began. Picked out a route on secondary roads, and it was 1955 all over again. I haven't driven a '55 of any type since I was 16. The car rode, handled and accelerated, better then I thought it would. I didn't hear any squeaking noises and thought I might from the convertible top. I was comfortable in the seat and the ride was nice. The power steering certainly isn't equivalent to todays, but I had no issues with it. I'm really glad this car has factory PS. The steering wasn't sloppy and responded quite well with that big wheel. Braking was a little different. It has factory PB and they seemed to work for what they are. It is 1955 technology afterall. More effort/pressure was needed then present day power brakes, but the car stopped just fine and straight. Didn't pull to either side. It has a stock/original 265 which had more power then I recall them having. Climbed some hills just fine. No engine missing. The transmission shifted like it should, depending on the throttle given. It went down the road straight not needing any correction. No shimmy but I think I will get the front end aligned. Overall, it was a very good ride. A thrill. Reminisced some. Was gone about 50 minutes. The car came with about 3/8ths tank of gas from 2015. I know, I should have drained it, but forgot. Before driving today, I added 2 bottles of Lucas octane booster and will go for another ride soon. Then fresh gas.
My intentions still are and have been all along, to swap out this motor and trans.for my built '57 265 and 200-4R transmission. I'm still on track to do that, but I waited a long time to enjoy this car and that's what I'm going to do first. If I was smart, which I've never claimed to be, I probably wouldn't do the swap. But the way it ran today, I can drive it for some time yet before doing anything to it. I should also mention that I really don't like that transmission. I'm not crazy about the burping that it does, but with stock 3.55 gears, I could really hear that mouse motor work. My speed today was for the most part about 45 mph, but sometimes I was up to 50-55 mph. The car could use an OD transmission. I guess that's about it for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this dissertation lol, Carmine.
My intentions still are and have been all along, to swap out this motor and trans.for my built '57 265 and 200-4R transmission. I'm still on track to do that, but I waited a long time to enjoy this car and that's what I'm going to do first. If I was smart, which I've never claimed to be, I probably wouldn't do the swap. But the way it ran today, I can drive it for some time yet before doing anything to it. I should also mention that I really don't like that transmission. I'm not crazy about the burping that it does, but with stock 3.55 gears, I could really hear that mouse motor work. My speed today was for the most part about 45 mph, but sometimes I was up to 50-55 mph. The car could use an OD transmission. I guess that's about it for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this dissertation lol, Carmine.
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