1955 Chevy Panel - Hamster Hauler - Custom Classic Truckin' Section

Custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle builder, Keith Terry of Newbury, California, took time away from his busy Terry Components business to build one cool Pro Street '55 Chevy panel parts chaser. When it comes to high-performance aftermarket starter, carburetor, fuel-injection, and fuel-management systems for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Terry is known as one of the leading authorities. He is also a member of the prestigious custom Harley-Davidson club, the Hamsters USA.

Terry has been building custom motorcycles and hot rods for the past 30 years. His previous four-wheel customs include a '55 Chevy Bel Air and a '65 Chevy Impala. His most recent effort is this gorgeous yellow '55 Chevy panel, which took one year to complete. The flawless '55 panel supports Terry Components' high-performance image.

Terry started with a custom-built boxed frame C-notched to accept the narrowed Ford 9-inch rearend stuffed with Richmond 4.11 gears. To achieve its aggressive stance, Terry used cut coils and 2-inch Chrysler drop spindles up front and flipped the rearend atop the rear leaf springs. A pair of Koni gas shocks helps stabilize the front suspension, while a pair of Koni air-adjustable shocks controls the rear's ride height and payload capabilities. The Chrysler spindles were teamed up with Cadillac disc brakes, located on each corner for equal stopping ability. The front 15x8-inch Weld Racing Pro Star aluminum wheels were wrapped in P245/55R15 Goodyears, and the rear 15x14-inch Welds were consumed in massive 29x15.50x15-inch Mickey Thompsons.

Lifting the hood exposes a healthy '75 Chevrolet 454ci big-block shoehorned between the framerails. The engine block and cylinder heads were coated in exterior-matching hamster yellow. The round port cylinder heads were massaged by Terry Components. The polished aluminum intake manifold supports four Weber 48mm IDF fine-tuned down-draft carburetors. You have to check out the wild black-flamed carburetor, velocity stacks, and black-flamed valve covers. A smooth, polished aluminum firewall, black inner fenders, and a brass radiator top tank add to the total underhood presentation. A covered MSD Blaster ignition coil delivers the initial spark to the MSD distributor which distributes the electrical pulse to each cylinder's spark plug through the yellow Taylor 8mm ignition wires, which ignite the air and gas mixture inside the engine's combustion chamber. The engine's spent gases are exhausted through the 2-1/2-inch outside diameter Hooker Headers, which flow into the two-chamber Flowmaster mufflers, developing that distinguished, throaty rumble.