Project American Heroes, Part 1 - 1957 Chevy Convertible Build

TIG welds are "row of nickels" perfect. Heidt's tubular control arms look great and incorporate factory ball joints.

The upper control arms use threaded adjusters for the wheel alignment. These threaded adjusters, unlike eccentric adjusters, will never "slip" and lose alignment, no matter how big a bump you hit. We're talking a smooth ride that allows for a very low stance that is highly steerable, with no bumpsteer and built-in anti-dive.

Flaming River front mount rack-and-pinion steering can incorporate either a stock column or an aftermarket unit.

The dual level center 1 1/2x0.120-inch wall tubular center crossmember provides maximum support while allowing space for the exhaust system.

The Cars Inc. body maintains all-stock body mount locations and, of course, the Roadster Shop does the same with its chassis. Stock mounting points for the radiator support and all inner fender panels are preserved.

The Roadster Shop chassis features a complete dropout trans mount for any transmission known to man.

The chassis is shown mocked up with a standard Ford 9-inch rearend. The final project will be equipped with one of Moser's new fabricated 9-inch rears. The suspension is a Heidt's Triangulated Four Link that features stainless control arms, urethane bushings, and the sway bar mounted on the rear crossmember.

Cars Inc. had its complete 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible body on display at the Detroit Autorama in March 2007. They were handing out flyers for the Project American Heroes build, demonstrating their enthusiastic support for our men and women in the armed forces.

The body is built to OEM specifications. It's hard to stop looking at the Cars Inc. body, and its assembly-line perfection.

When was the last time you saw a 1957 trunk area look like this? The all-new American-made metal is OEM correct.

The floors are equally superb in quality. Extra effort to replicate the factory process is taken, with the spot welds done in the same manner as factory.

As body alignment is adjusted (as with any car), the Roadster Shop crew adds braces to insure that the panels stay in the proper position.

Behold: Project American Heroes! The donor cowl carries the 1957 Chevy factory serial number.

When the body is shipped, it's securely attached to a pallet that can incorporate wheels for easy movement.

Neil Gerber, owner of Roadster Shop, is standing with fabricator Doug Leetzow. Behind them are Chad Glasshagel and Jeremy Gerber, who will be building the Project American Heroes 1957 Bel Air. We've got work to do.