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1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend - Project American Heroes: Bringing Up The Rear

In Part 3, Project American Heroes now has a suspension in the back, one that'll take our big-block's copious amounts of horsepower

By Arvid Svendsen, Photography by Arvid Svendsen
1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
Project American Heroes will be contributing to the frivolous waste of rubber with Moser Engineering's fabricated housing and 33-spline axles. Moser Engineering is the premier supplier of rear differentials for almost any application. Known for its speedy, high-quality service, it builds not only outstanding rear differentials for racing, but also assembles stout rears for hot rods and high-performance street cars.
1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
Project American Heroes will be contributing to the frivolous waste of rubber with Moser E

PROJECT AMERICAN HEROES ONLINE ARCHIVE

Here they are, the links to all the stories about Project American Heroes, live on the Super Chevy website. Just click on the links below to see the story you're interested in!

Part 1 - Project American Heroes Part 1 - Aug. '07 Issue

Part 2 - Project American Heroes - Brake'em Up, Line'em Up - Sept. '07 Issue

Part 3 - Project American Heroes - Bringing Up The Rear - Sept. '07 Issue

Part 4 - Project American Heroes Chassis Build - Chevy Classics 2007

Part 5a - Project American Heroes - Shock & Awe - Oct. '07 Issue

Part 5b - Project American Heroes Part 5 - Dec. '07 Issue

Part 6 - Project American Heroes Part 6 - Jan. '08 Issue

Click here to see Project American Heroes in Washington D.C.

Click here to see Project American Heroes on the auction block at Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach

A well-disciplined army shows battle readiness by displaying the highest level of commitment and unity, which results in proficient military teamwork to achieve victory. Battle maneuvers and formation drills are performed in order to teach soldiers to fight as a single unit to overcome the firepower of the enemy. Infantrymen are grouped into various formations, and given tactical instructions from their commander. The most brilliant strategists seek to make the individual soldiers come together into one high-performing military machine that swiftly and confidently conquers the enemy.

On a somewhat smaller scale, Project American Heroes, the 1957 Cars Inc.-bodied, Roadster Shop "chassied" Chevrolet promises to be one high-performing, street-fighting machine that swiftly and confidently conquers the interstates. From this observer's vantage point, every component in Project American Heroes displays spectacular quality along with brilliantly engineered fitment and ease of installation. The sculpted rails of the Roadster Shop Chassis are a work of art. The Heidt's Hot Rod Shop front suspension testifies to the years of experience and hard work that have been poured into manufacturing these suspension components. The soon-to-arrive Smeding Performance 572 big-block, with Racing Head Service, Comp Cams, and Holley components, will provide all the muscle necessary to propel the '57 drop-top to generous highway speeds.

This collection of parts sets the bar high for the finished product. Bringing up the rear for the chassis will include installation of the Moser fabricated housing, mounting the Rock Valley Antique Auto Parts stainless steel tank, installing the Heidt's triangulated 4-bar rear suspension, and plumbing the fuel line with product from Classic Tube. j

The voting is done, and it's official: Armed forces personnel have picked the brilliant blue color scheme with Bel Air trim as the version of Project American Heroes that we will build. Coming in a close second was the green machine. To find out more, or to make a donation, visit www.projectamericanheroes.org.

  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    The guys at Roadster Shop TIG-welded these upper control arm brackets for the Heidt's Four Bar rear suspension. A 3/8-inch thick face plate, and standard internal gussets and bulk heads make sure the torque from the 572 Rat will transfer nicely to the rear wheels.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    The guys at Roadster Shop TIG-welded these upper control arm brackets for the Heidt's Four
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    Combination lower control arm/shock mount bracket is attached to the housing. Moser's Fabricated housings are made from 1/8-inch thick, laser-cut mild steel, which is fabricated from one triangulated piece of metal. Available at any width, the Moser Fabricated housings use 3-inch x .25-inch thick DOM tubing, with any choice of housing ends.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    Combination lower control arm/shock mount bracket is attached to the housing. Moser's Fabr
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    Air Ride Technologies provided its ShockWaves for the Project American Heroes build. With proven, patented sealing technology, anodized billet aluminum construction, and 16-position adjustable valving, the '57 will not only handle like a road racer, but will also ride well and provide the ultimate adjustable stance.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    Air Ride Technologies provided its ShockWaves for the Project American Heroes build. With
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    Installation of the rear suspension involves bolting the ShockWaves to the upper shock mount crossmember.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    Installation of the rear suspension involves bolting the ShockWaves to the upper shock mou
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    With ShockWaves in place, the housing is joined to the ShockWaves via the lower mounting fasteners.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    With ShockWaves in place, the housing is joined to the ShockWaves via the lower mounting f
  • 1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    The Heidt's lower control arm is bolted to the Roadster Shop brackets that have already been TIG-welded to the Moser housing.
    1957 Chevy Bel Air Rearend Installation
    The Heidt's lower control arm is bolted to the Roadster Shop brackets that have already be
By Arvid Svendsen
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