109 Reader Projects

1957 Chevy * Jeremy Ridings * Cheboygan, MI
For the last 21 years, Jeremy Ridings has been in the aviation field, working at Hessel Airport in Hessel, Michigan. His penchant for flying, and for high-tech precision machinery is naturally reflected in Jeremy's choice of hot rods: a jet-age chic '57 Chevy, loaded with a modern fuel-injected Corvette engine. "About two years ago, my father and I were driving past a local junk yard not far from the airport, and saw this faded '57 Chevy with Rallye wheels," says Jeremy. "Of course, when you see something like that you just have to stop and ask the questions, right?" When it came time to load it up on the trailer (naturally, Jeremy bought it), the guy at the junk yard gave him an old battery, and it started right up. How's that for a good omen?

1970 Chevelle * Dave Livesey * Diamond, IL
"I've always loved '70 Chevelles," writes Dave Livesey. "I got this rolling shell from my dad in Mesa, Arizona, seven years ago. I built the engine a year or two later, and worked on the car occasionally for the next six years. I will be driving it this spring!" Dave's been working on it almost every day since he first saw our article about reader projects. He got the car running a couple of weeks before sending out his letter, and actually moved it under its own power. Dave's next goal is to drive it around the block soon. Writes Dave: "I still have the big dreams for the car if I ever have a lot of extra cash lying around. Put EFI on my big-block with a T-56 trans. Maybe an 18-inch wheel tire combo like the Chevelle in your Nitto tire ad that used to be on the back cover."