Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Greg and Tammy Kaiser of South Daytona own this '55 Chevy which, they are quick to point out, is no trailer queen. It's just their way of celebrating the past and how Gregg's love of the Gasser classes from the 60's inspired him to build this tribute to that era. He's waited 30 years to find a '55 Chevy as a project car. It's a work in progress, he says, that keeps getting better as he tweaks things as time and money allows, all the while working out of a small one-car garage with very little help.
Gregg campaigned several cars back in the 60's, including a '68 Hemi Charger as well as a '71 Hemi Cuda (C Gas cars). At the age of 14 he started working, helping his friend who worked at a local body shop in New Jersey where he lived. Upon graduation from High School, he enlisted in the service, where he served for 6 years as a helicopter pilot. Upon his release from service he spent time working for Chrysler and Avis as their Service Manager for about 10 years. Winters were taking their toll so he decided a warmer climate was in order! He moved to Tallahassee and opened his own repair shop there. Marriage and opportunity took him to Daytona soon after.
He found this '55 at the Flea Market in Daytona Beach, but it clearly needed a lot of work. It was powered by a tired 400 small block/400 turbo combo; he yanked that in favor of his owner-built 350 with a M-22, Hurst Competition Plus shifted transmission. Speedmaster Ignition lights its fire while Hooker headers spew the exhaust. Other goodies include an Eldebrock carb, manifold and valve covers, while dual electric fans (DCM) keep everything cool. He had to install a NOS gas tank as well.
A Speedway Motors straight axle was installed next - in his driveway of course! Bucket seats out of a '09 Audi were scored at the Daytona Turkey Run's huge parts and car show, held there every year. New carpeting was installed as well as a Sun Tach to monitor all the "vitals." It's got a '70 Nova 10 bolt with 3:73 gears to transmit the power to the pavement. It rolls on American Torque Thrusts (215/65x15's front and 255/70x15's rear) while drums and Wildwood disc brakes up front provide the stopping power.
These "second generation" Chevy shoe-boxes, as they became known, had an all new styling for '55 and an all new V-8 power plant. GM referred to these cars as the "Hot One" in their advertising. Styling was crisp and clean and even featured a Ferrari-inspired front grill.
Gregg has a lot more plans in store, including a flip front end as he strives to keep that Gasser inspired look alive. Thank you for your service, Gregg, and it's 'Pure Pandemonium' listening and watching this car go on down the road! Hot one indeed!
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