Down Under C1
#1
Down Under C1
Hi everyone. I am John Behncke from Adelaide South Australia. We have a 1958 Corvette we are close to finishing. It’s modified but looks quite traditional. It has a Ford 9 inch with a coilovers 4 bar, Watts linkage and tubs at the rear. Up front we have a local GM front end with rack and pinion steering. It was a dual quad car with power glide and now it has a 383 with dual quads and 700r4. I am sure some purists won’t like it but we started with a very damaged car with extremely poor repairs and twisted frame. A real basket case. We love it and look forward to driving soon.
Looking forward to becoming a part of the Forum,
regards
JohnyB
Looking forward to becoming a part of the Forum,
regards
JohnyB
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Jul 2016
Location: The Steel City, Colorful Colorado
Posts: 25,306
Received 1,679 Likes
on
1,182 Posts
Winner 2020 C7 of the Year - Modified
Welcome to the CF!
#5
Race Director
Pro Mechanic
Member Since: Apr 2014
Location: Washington Township Michigan
Posts: 14,521
Received 3,952 Likes
on
2,470 Posts
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Welcome to the forum!
Post some pictures up when you can.
Post some pictures up when you can.
#8
Enjoy while you can.
Member Since: May 2008
Location: 10th District Court OHIO
Posts: 17,171
Received 2,686 Likes
on
1,273 Posts
Ohio Events Coordinator
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Welcome aboard JohnyB. Congrats on the restoration and hope to see some pics in the C1 & C2 section. Enjoy the ride
#9
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 343,014
Received 19,305 Likes
on
13,977 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Welcome and good luck with the restoration.
#11
Chassis work done waiting for body and paint.
Sitting in our garage waiting for wiring and air conditioning.
Ready to come home.
My custom suspension.
It’s stock isn’t it.
Yep it is right hand drive.
Custom dash and gauge pod in body colour.
Just waiting to be mated.
The start. Twisted chassis, chicken wire and Masonite.
Before paint. AFR heads, 383 striker.
#15
Thanks guys I am just trying to work out how to post. Here are a couple of pics for those interested.
Just after I finished the chassis and suspension
During mock up. The grill surround is frenched into the body.
Custom rear roll pan so you can’t see the chassis from the rear.
Custom painted dash.
All smoothed up.
I like the yellow against the black.
Waiting to be rejoined.
My baby 383 and dual quads.
A very sad start.
Just after I finished the chassis and suspension
During mock up. The grill surround is frenched into the body.
Custom rear roll pan so you can’t see the chassis from the rear.
Custom painted dash.
All smoothed up.
I like the yellow against the black.
Waiting to be rejoined.
My baby 383 and dual quads.
A very sad start.
#17
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2017
Location: Hickory NC
Posts: 10,211
Received 863 Likes
on
667 Posts
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Welcome to the forum, Johny, and congratulations on your very sharp C1!
Excellent work!!
Excellent work!!
#18
Great job JohnyB, your car looks sensational! I love the colour and the small touches / mods you've done. My name is Warren and I'm based in Melbourne, Australia. I'm looking to get a '58 done as well (not that mechanically minded myself). Did you bring the car in from the U.S. or were you lucky enough to source one locally? Thanks.
#19
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Member Since: May 2000
Location: Hammond Louisiana
Posts: 3,731
Likes: 0
Received 56 Likes
on
46 Posts
Welcome aboard. Beautiful car.....me thinks someone has some skills
__________________
Tom Wooten
National Corvette Museum Ambassador
Corvette Sales Manager
Ross Downing Chevrolet
Louisiana's #1 Corvette Dealer since 1992
985-345-1285
"PUTTING DREAMS IN DRIVEWAYS ACROSS AMERICA"
Join our Facebook Corvette community!
New Corvettes For Sale | Used Corvettes For Sale | About Us | Contact Us
Tom Wooten
National Corvette Museum Ambassador
Corvette Sales Manager
Ross Downing Chevrolet
Louisiana's #1 Corvette Dealer since 1992
985-345-1285
"PUTTING DREAMS IN DRIVEWAYS ACROSS AMERICA"
Join our Facebook Corvette community!
New Corvettes For Sale | Used Corvettes For Sale | About Us | Contact Us
#20
Great job JohnyB, your car looks sensational! I love the colour and the small touches / mods you've done. My name is Warren and I'm based in Melbourne, Australia. I'm looking to get a '58 done as well (not that mechanically minded myself). Did you bring the car in from the U.S. or were you lucky enough to source one locally? Thanks.
We found the car locally. It was a disassembled basket case in very poor condition. There are a lot of issues with C1s that make them difficult to drive. I built the front and rear suspension, wheel tubs, air conditioning and deigned how to meld the new mechanicals in a period way as we want a traditional look. We did this before restomods became popular in the USA. The body, paint and custom fibreglass was done by Trevor Mathews in the SA Riverland.
There are far more parts available now including new frames and suspensions which would make this easier. However, you would want to consult with Vic Roads before you do anything to ensure you can register it. Happy to Help.
regards John