1956 Chevy 2dr Post Bel-Air (4x4)
(Budget Buster I) (Too Much)

Here's a few pictures of my 1956 Chevy 2dr. Bel-Air (4x4) AKA Too Much, AKA Budget Buster I, AKA Betsy. The vehicle was purchased new in Bakersfield, CA. from Three Way Chevrolet by my father and I then bought it from him a short time later. If my memory serves me right I paid him $600.00 plus traded him my 1953 4dr Buick Roadmaster for it.

Over the years it has gone through many changes and modifications. From the way it was originally (stock), then setup for drag racing and then in 1974 I made a big change to it. I converted it into a 4 wheel drive. I took a 1969 Chevy Suburban and cut 12" out of the frame, rewelded it together and set the 56 body on it. I got into sand drags and 4 wheel pulls about this time.

After leaving the service I had a 375hp 327 V-8 with dual 4bbl carbs on a staggered tunnel ram manifold (dual cross ram) installed and had it painted by Earl Schieb. Yes I was short of money at the time to get a real paint job. But look at the pictures. That paint job is 49 years old and still looks good. I can't believe it lasted this long. Of course it needs to be repainted, but a $49.95 paint job to last that long... unbelievable!

It continues to be changed or modified. I blew up the 327 and installed a 1969 427cu in. Chevy engine. It's bored .30 over. It has a Holley aluminum high rise - dual plane tunnel ram intake, 750cfm Holley double pumper carb with 150HP NOS system (for back up). I have never used the NOS system (haven't needed to yet)!! Accel super coil, Mallory unilite electronic distrubuter with MSD System, Iskerderion Mega 288 high lift hydraulic cam and 2.71 Crane roller tip rockers, Pete Jackson gear drive, stock oval port steel heads, TRW 10.5:1 forged pistons.

The exhaust flows through Headman 2.5" headers and 3" dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers. The clutch is a 11" center force dual disc unit, attached to a 1996 NV4500 5 speed transmission, the transfer case is an all steel 1982 NP205 (1.94:1 low range).

The front drive train is out of a 1985 Chevy Blazer (Dana 44) with 4.56 gears and positraction unit. I wanted disc brakes at all four corners. The rear end is out of a 1984 Blazer (Dana 44) with 4.56 gears and a Detroit Locker.

The front bench seat was removed and I installed racing bucket seats with 5 point harnesses and no back seat, that's were the stereo is located with 2 - 12", 2 - 6x9's, and 2 - 6" speakers in a custom built box.

It has an 8 point 1 5/8' rollcage, 6" Skyjacker soft ride suspension lift with Weld Racing Draglite 15x10 polished aluminum rims and 36" tires. A homemade ladder style traction bars and a homemade wheelie bar for those hard launches. Yes it needs them! Has a trunk wing for looks and function. There are twin batteries located inside the trunk along with the 10lbs. NOS tank. It also has a 30" muti-rear view mirror (so I can see what is around me) and 10" Grant padded steering wheel.

She has been sitting aroung now for about 3 years (in the garage of course). I need to get her back on the road. These pictures were taken as of this writing... Continued on next page.