Plain and simple, the 1957 Chevrolet, more than any other car ever produced, qualifies for the title, "America's Hot Rod." There are a number of reasons why that statement is true, but suffice it to say, there is no other car so quickly recognizable, and so universally lovable as the '57 Chevy.
Watching the assembly and mock-up of Project American Heroes featuring the impeccable Cars, Inc. body and the incomparable Roadster Shop Tri-Five chassis brings to mind the varied reasons for the broad appeal of the 1957 Chevrolet. Since this Tri-Five Chevy is not a "five" or a "six," but a "seven," it seems only natural to consider the top seven reasons to love the 1957 Chevy:
Reason 7: The colors and two-tone combinations offered in 1957. The classic '57 styling came together at the height of the nutty '50s pastel colors. Even the names of the colors stir the imagination, names like Larkspur Blue, Colonial Cream, Canyon Coral, Dusk Pearl, Coronado Yellow, India Ivory, and my personal favorite, Tropical Turquoise. The '57 had the unusual ability to pull off any single or two-tone combination without looking bland or bling.
The hooks are attached to...
The hooks are attached to the interior seat mount and readied for a quick lateral move.
Reason 6: The "fins" actually worked. Although most finned '50s cars have all the styling impact of an '80s hair band 25-year reunion tour, the flawless execution of the '57 fins make the car memorable, yet understated and simple.
Reason 5: The 283/283 fuel-injected engine enjoyed status as the high-tech motor of the year. Was there any other car where you could say the size of the engine and not have to remember the horsepower rating? Was there ever a 292/292? Was there ever a 347/347? Was there ever a 361/361 (do Mopars even count?)? Never. But 283/283 ... you simply said the size of the motor twice, and you had the horsepower rating ... the majesty of the '57 Chevy.
Reason 4: The gas filler location in the fin. There's nothing better to ease gas price pain than opening up your left side taillight to fill up the gas tank.
Five Roadster Shop fabricators...
Five Roadster Shop fabricators are called in to make sure the body lands squarely on the frame. The rubber body mounts are not on the frame at this time.
Reason 3: The '57 Chevy was easily the meanest looking car ever with the simple removal of the front bumper. Though some may not believe it, the next big thing, already coming on strong, is the straight-axle, gasser-style street machine, and the '57 Chevy is tied with the '55 Chevy for second best gasser look car on the planet (sorry, but nothing beats a '41 Willys for best gasser car ever).
Reason 2: Reproduction parts availability through Cars, Inc. The aftermarket has done an incredible job in supplying all the parts needed to build these cars no matter how bad the initial starting point. Cars, Inc. is among the leaders that have made Tri-Five Chevys great restoration projects.
Reason 1: Project X. Granted, you're reading Super Chevy, so you might think this is some shameless plug for the longest running, most legendary yellow '57 Chevy that has been around for some 40 years from Popular Hot Rodding. However, when all is said and done, nothing fueled the love for 1957 Chevys better and longer than the monthly anticipation of seeing upgrades, road tests, or new motor installations that had been performed on Project X.
With the body on the frame,...
With the body on the frame, and the hoist still attached to the body, the body is lifted slightly and the body mount bushings are inserted.
Now it's time to catch up on the progress of Project American Heroes. The ragtop is coming together with some of the finest parts and components available through the aftermarket. Seeing the Smeding Performance 572 and TCI 4L80E trans settle into the engine compartment were among the highlights. Doug Leetzow and Tom Gottschalk were on hand at The Roadster Shop to bringing the '57 one step closer to completion. It won't be long until we slide behind the wheel for a shakedown cruise.
Don't forget: This car is being built and auctioned to support Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and their families. If you'd like a make a donation to this worthwhile cause (or find out more information about the project, the car and its mission), please visit this special website, www.projectamericanheroes.org. Thanks in advance.
 Just Suspension body mounts...  Just Suspension body mounts and the Roadster Shop Tri Five chassis line up perfectly with the Cars, Inc. '57 body. |  The 572 Smeding Performance...  The 572 Smeding Performance motor is highlighted by the March Performance "Ultra Drive" Chevy big-block serpentine kit. Precision CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum for strength and perfect fit, the "Ultra Drive" places all accessories below the valve covers and in between the width of the heads. |  Heidt's Hot Rod Shop supplied...  Heidt's Hot Rod Shop supplied the motor mounts and fasteners needed. |
 Motor mount bolts receive...  Motor mount bolts receive a thin coat of Napa Anti-Seize Lubricant. |  The TCI StreetFighter 4L80E...  The TCI StreetFighter 4L80E transmission is the ultimate in high-tech, high-performance automatic transmissions. TCI replaces stock parts with high-performance bands and components where applicable, and they increase fluid flow, lubrication system and thrust capacity. Problematic hard parts are replaced with stronger components, and valve bodies are completely remanufactured and 100 percent tested prior to installation. |  MSD supplied its Blaster 2...  MSD supplied its Blaster 2 coil and Advance Power System starter, which features all new components beginning with a 3hp motor that cranks the reduced 4.4:1 gear set to deliver great torque to the engine's ring gear. The armature is balanced during assembly and is guided by two ball bearings for smooth engagement and thousands of reliable, effortless starts. Royal Purple synthetic high-performance oil and a K&N Performance Gold oil filter will keep the 572 Rat spinning effortlessly. TCI flywheels are .035-inch thicker than stock and the starter ring is welded to both sides of the flywheel for additional strength. |
 The TCI flexplate is torqued...  The TCI flexplate is torqued to 65 ft-lb. Constructed from a high tensile strength material, these flywheels resist elongation and cracking. All 168-tooth flywheels have dual GM bolt patterns and are sized for stock 3/8-inch mounting bolts and can be easily drilled for 7/16-inch diameter high-performance torque converter applications. |  The TCI StreetFighter 10-inch...  The TCI StreetFighter 10-inch torque converter features furnace-brazed fins, needle bearings, and a hardened pre-ground pump hub. The Street Fighter converter is computer balanced for harder launches, quicker acceleration, and improved low-end power. |  Every TCI torque converter...  Every TCI torque converter is "triple tested" during assembly. First, a pair of dial indicators is employed on a rotating table to verify that the impeller body and pump drive hub remain true. Then, each unit is pressurized and subjected to a leak test to confirm the integrity of all the weld seams. Last, each unit is computer balanced to reduce potentially damaging drivetrain vibrations that would occur from an unbalanced torque converter. |
 The TCI 4L80E harness comes...  The TCI 4L80E harness comes complete with labeled connectors. TCI has developed its Transmission Control Unit to allow maximum tuning and control through its exclusive T-COM WP software. Line pressures, shift timing and firmness of shift for both upshift and downshift points are easily adjustable by plugging the Communication Cable into a laptop. A unique feature of the T-COM WP software is the ability to have part throttle shifts as a function of road speed while Wide Open Throttle shifts can be a function of engine rpm. |  With the TCI flex plate and...  With the TCI flex plate and converter installed, the TCI 4L80E is joined to the transmission. Every TCI Street Fighter transmission must pass both a static hydraulic pressure test during assembly and a final dyno test prior to shipping. |  Here, the Just Suspension...  Here, the Just Suspension transmission mount is fastened to the transmission. |
 The cap on the MSD Pro Billet...  The cap on the MSD Pro Billet distributor is removed to prevent any damage during engine installation. |  The Smeding Performance 572...  The Smeding Performance 572 is being introduced to its new Project American Heroes home for the very first time. |  Sanderson Block Hugger headers...  Sanderson Block Hugger headers receive a bead of Permatex Ultra Black Hi Temp Silicone Gasket Maker. |
 The MSD APS (Advanced Power...  The MSD APS (Advanced Power System) starter features a powdercoated, downsized housing and billet aluminum mounting block that can be positioned in different locations to help clear suspension parts, the oil pan and exhaust systems. |  Header bolts are supplied...  Header bolts are supplied by Sanderson for a clean installation. |  Looking tight to the firewall,...  Looking tight to the firewall, the motor lined up nicely. As Roadster Shop's Doug Leetzow said a few times, "That is a good-looking motor." |
 The Auburn Gear limited-slip...  The Auburn Gear limited-slip differential is engineered to provide smooth torque-sensing operation with bias ratios to help deliver the 572 power to the rear wheels. Superior performance is achieved through an innovative cone clutch design, which transfers more power to the high-traction wheel for quick acceleration and "American Heroes"-style cornering. |  Moser Engineering supplied...  Moser Engineering supplied the Ford 9-inch nodular iron center section. |  The Moser nodular iron center...  The Moser nodular iron center section features aluminum pinion support, 1350-series pinion yoke, and Pro Street gears. The Roadster Shop boys install the center section to the Moser Fab 9 housing. |
 Measurements are taken for...  Measurements are taken for driveshaft length. Inland Empire Drivelines will get the call to build one of their custom pieces for the '57. |  Auto Rad is responsible for...  Auto Rad is responsible for the beautiful aluminum radiator support. It will soon be the home for a new Flex-a-lite aluminum radiator. |  The Auto Rad radiator support...  The Auto Rad radiator support was added to the Cars, Inc. front clip, which had been mocked up at the Roadster Shop. |
 Roadster Shop's Doug Leetzow...  Roadster Shop's Doug Leetzow and Tom Gottschalk lift the entire front clip onto the body. |  K&N supplied the billet aluminum...  K&N supplied the billet aluminum 5-spoke custom lid air cleaner that dramatically tops off the engine compartment. |  Motor in, front clip installed,...  Motor in, front clip installed, and Project American Heroes is ready for final mechanical mock-up. |