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Route 66 Bound

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By Tom Olsen

Like so many car guys and gals, Minneapolis resident Dave Redlin got his automotive influences early in life. He was born in Watertown, SD, but lived in Sioux Falls for many of his formative years, attending grade school and junior high school here. During his Sioux Falls years, Dave’s older brother, Denny, was into cars. This was a major influence on Dave. He recalls fondly watching and trying to be involved while Denny and his dad installed a 348 engine into Denny’s 1958 Chevy Impala back in the mid-1960’s. Dave believes that it was that time spent thrashing on cars with his dad and his brother which lead him into the car hobby.

And, what a hobby it’s been! Dave tells me that he has had 44 cars, trucks, and bikes over the years. His first car was a ’59 Chevy and his second one was a ’57 Chevy; not the one you see here, though. Dave is a “Chevy guy”, and those first two Chevys were followed by several “tri-fives” (55-57 Chevys), a 62 Impala, two different ’66 Chevelles, and a variety of Camaros and El Caminos, just to name some highlights. He hasn’t been exclusively Chevrolet over the years, however. In the mix has been a Plymouth Road Runner, a Mustang, and an Olds 442. It’s pretty apparent that Dave has good taste in cars.

Dave has always enjoyed doing his own work on cars. Many of the cars he’s owned, he bought for the purpose of rehabbing a bit, enjoying them, and selling to make a few bucks. Then, it was on to the next conquest. Dave did stick with two cars longer than most, though: his 1947 Chevy, which he’s owned since high school, and the ’57 Chevy you see here, that he has owned for over 14 years now.

When Dave bought this ‘57 Chevy, it was yellow and white, but it was originally two-tone green. It started life as a 6 cylinder, three speed “210” model. The car was bought off the internet based on photos and conversations with the seller. Contrary to some stories you hear, this car turned out to be as advertised, and was a pretty solid car. Some floor pan and rocker panel rust had been previously corrected. Only the typical rust ahead of the rear wheels remained as a substantial repair.

Dave soon started on what became a 12 year restoration process. The Chevy was treated to a full “frame-off” restoration. He does all of his own dis-assembly, prep, mechanical, and re-assembly work, but leaves the body and paint work, and interior trim to the pros. Dave took pride in assuring me that every single nut, bolt, screw, and wire was removed from the entire car and was replaced or refurbished!

The frame was blasted down to bare steel and refinished in an epoxy “chassis black” finish, and all new suspension components were installed. Dave changed the engine mounts over to a side engine mount system for a cleaner installation. A stock 350 Chevy small block engine was chosen for its proven reliability and a TH350 transmission was used. A Rochester Quadrajet carb and MSD distributor provide fuel and spark, while a set of “Hedman Hedders” and Flowmaster mufflers handle the exhaust. The stock rear end with 3.55 gears was retained. For updated stopping power, Dave went with a disc brake setup on the front to supplement the stock drum brakes on the rear. A 605 power steering box was also installed for improved steering control.

Media blasting was the chosen method to remove several layers of various colored paint from the body prior to the body shop working its magic. Jeff Humphrey and his crew at Humphrey Auto Body in Cambridge, MN, did the body and basecoat/clearcoat paint work on the car. Dodge “Crimson Red Pearl” caught Dave’s eye at a previous car show, and that became the color of choice.

The interior was done by Steve Augustin in Byron, MN; a soft simulated light gray leather. A Chevrolet bowtie emblem on the rear seat back, bucket seats up front, and stainless steel trim on the door panels, add a personalized touch. A custom steering wheel was used, and Bel Air trim was added to the dash.

All of the stainless exterior trim was repaired and polished by Dave himself; no small feat there! He also added Bel Air stainless trim to the top of the ’57 fins for a little extra flash. The car rolls on American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels (16x7 front/ 17x8 rear) which provide a proper classic look on these early Chevys. One additional finishing touch is the one- piece “California” front bumper.

The first outing for the ’57 was at Back to the Fifties in 2014; Dave showed the car next to his brother’s 55 Chevy Handyman wagon. He is proud to say that his car is a driver; you won’t see it on a trailer. What other major outings for the car are in the plans? Dave would love to take it on a Route 66 trip. So, if you’re ever out there “getting your kicks on Route 66” keep an eye out for Dave and his Chevy. You just might see him!

February 2016

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