Story and Photos: Tony “T-Bone” Colombini, Model: Melissa Swizz
Ron had a dream. Ever since he was in High School, he has longed for another ’55 Chevy. After a great and successful career in construction, his dream has come true.
Ron and Lucy Moyer tasked a local hot rod shop to build a custom gasser that had all the looks of the classic dragster, however it must have easy to drive features of a modern car. In-fact Lucy a demure “little 67 year old lady from Yorba Linda” drives the car. The car features a custom Indy inspired front suspension in lieu of the usual straight axle. In the rear cantilevered shocks replace the ladder bars and leaf springs of the period correct rear end. Bernt sprayed and polished the Brandywine paint to a glass finish. Ron Mangus stitched up the comfy interior.
Crew members Trevor Dick, Brian Doyen, Joe Conduff and Bernt Karlsson all worked together with others to build this incredible and award winning machine. Trevor has since opened his own shop “The Legacy of Classic Wheels” in Orange, CA, Joe is now at Cambra Speed Shop, also in Orange, and Bernt opened his own shop Customs by Bernt behind his home in Wildomar, CA.
Take a look at the details:
DRIVE TRAIN
- 900 HP Engine Custom Built By Redline Performance in Anaheim, Ca
- 540 CI Dart Big “M” Mark IV Block
- Dart Aluminum Pro-1 Heads
- Solid Roller Cam, Hydraulic Roller Lifters, Roller Rockers
- Littlefield 871 Supercharger
- Dual Holley 950 Carbs
- Aeromotive A1000 Fuel system
- Tremec 6 speed manual transmission
- Mcleod Hydraulic clutch
- Curry 9” Ford full posi rear differential
- 3.73 Gear ratio
- Mattson’s 3 core aluminum radiator
- Patriot Headers with Electric Cutouts
- B&B front serpentine system
- MSD Ignition system
CHASSIS
- Custom Built
- 1 Off custom front IFS suspension with handmade control arms
- 1 Off Cantilever 4 link rear suspension
- Ride Tech coil over shocks
- Custom made 30 gal aluminum fuel tank
- 8 point chromolly roll cage
- 1 Off custom front radiator/core support
- ABS electric power brake system
- Willwood brakes
- Mercedes power rack and pinion steering
BODY/INTERIOR
- Custom “Black Cherry” paint
- Power windows
- Lexus power bucket seats
- Auto Meter Gauges
- Vintage Air, Air conditioning system
- Flaming River Steering Column
- Billet Specialties steering wheel
- Custom center console
- Custom Stereo system
- 1 Off Custom upholstery
- Electric opening tail light to access the Gas Filler