'58 Question

[Chuck W.]

Working on an early '58. Can anyone confirm or deny that the factory ever drilled holes to access the rear shocks in the fuel tank area. Please see photo.

I just finished a slightly later '58 and there were no holes, customer believes that these holes were original. He's owned since '59.

Thanks in advance.

http://albums.phanfare.com/4788455/2892417_3159199#imageID=51102388

[Steven B.]

Re: '58 Question

As I understand holes were drilled before painting the body (antenna, mirror, trim, etc.) to prevent paint chipping. If the interior areas were done the same then I would assume there may be some amount of over spray around the circumference of the holes. Alot of IF's and assumptions but worth a look.

Were the holes covered with small round fiberous covers?

Steve

[Dan H.]

Re: '58 Question

Hi, dug out my old scrap book for 58 vin #297, and have a decent shot of the bottom of the tank well, sure enough there are two holes on the top ledge of the tank area, slightly offset from the revitted-in brackets slightly below them. This car WAS drag raced, sooo, it might of been a popular mod back then? I'd look for further examples for a 'trend' etc. Regards,
Dan

[Chuck W.]

Re: '58 Question

As I understand holes were drilled before painting the body (antenna, mirror, trim, etc.) to prevent paint chipping. If the interior areas were done the same then I would assume there may be some amount of over spray around the circumference of the holes. Alot of IF's and assumptions but worth a look.

Were the holes covered with small round fiberous covers?

Steve

Customer claims there were felt-like square patches over the holes. In the photo you can see that the right one has a square bare fiberglass mark around the hole. The car went through one repaint but there was no evidence that the fuel tank/soft top well area was stripped to bare glass.

[Chuck W.]

Re: '58 Question

Hi, dug out my old scrap book for 58 vin #297, and have a decent shot of the bottom of the tank well, sure enough there are two holes on the top ledge of the tank area, slightly offset from the revitted-in brackets slightly below them. This car WAS drag raced, sooo, it might of been a popular mod back then? I'd look for further examples for a 'trend' etc. Regards,
Dan

Thanks for the information Dan. Perhaps others will weigh in. My VIN 7848, a June '58 car, did NOT have these holes.

[Rod K.]

Re: '58 Question

Can't speak directly re '58s, but my early '57 (and I thought all C1s) had these holes to access the top shock stud where it mounts to the shock crossmember. No other way to reach the nut to remove/install, and according to the '57 AIM, the holes were covered with Seal 3740260 (fabric?) starting in late March '57 (AIM revision date), replacing masking tape used prior. Mine shows no tape/seal outline around the holes in the primer remaining in that area, so I'd conclude the holes were sealed after paint.

[William L.]

Re: '58 Question

Chuck; Don't know if this photo will help. This is inside the STL Plant 1958. The holes you are looking for may be there? I cant tell. Bill

[Steven B.]

Re: '58 Question

Customer claims there were felt-like square patches over the holes. In the photo you can see that the right one has a square bare fiberglass mark around the hole. The car went through one repaint but there was no evidence that the fuel tank/soft top well area was stripped to bare glass.

Chuck, my Dec '57 has the holes like your and they were covered with a round fiber/felt material sealed to the fiberglass with adhesive. There are no square patches like in your picture.

[Chuck W.]

Re: '58 Question

Chuck, my Dec '57 has the holes like your and they were covered with a round fiber/felt material sealed to the fiberglass with adhesive. There are no square patches like in your picture.

Thanks for the information Steven

[Chuck W.]

Re: '58 Question

Chuck; Don't know if this photo will help. This is inside the STL Plant 1958. The holes you are looking for may be there? I cant tell. Bill

Can't see the holes but it is a great photo. Thanks Bill!

[Todd A.]

Re: '58 Question

My early '58 (#708) has the holes just as Dan described on his '58, however mine was also a drag racer for a good portion of its life. Through four repaints, the soft top compartment had never been stripped, but I can't remember if it had red paint within the holes or not.

[Ted S.]

Re: '58 Question

My late '58 (#9128) did not have the holes in the pictures for access to the tops of the shocks. Hope this helps, Ted

[Steven B.]

Re: '58 Question

Chuck:

My '58, vin #2731 has the holes you refer to--click on the photo below to see them.

Steve

http://www.shrinkpictures.com/processed/phpLFnMb9PM.jpg

[Chuck W.]

Re: '58 Question

Chuck:

My '58, vin #2731 has the holes you refer to--click on the photo below to see them.

Steve

http://www.shrinkpictures.com/processed/phpLFnMb9PM.jpg

Thanks for the info Steven. The link doesn't work however.

[Gord H.]

Re: '58 Question

both my 58s have holes ,serial # 4300 and #6500