Fairway '55 150 Sedan
Nestled in the heart of Bakersfield, Rodger Lee of Ironworks Speed and Kustom set out to build one of his dream cars, a 1955 Chevrolet Sedan.
The journey began with meticulous planning, with Rodger envisioning a reliable, streetable, and undeniably fun driver that had a hint of the iconic Gasser era. A team of skilled fabricators and craftsmen, led by Rodger Lee himself, brought this vision to life over a span of 18 months, culminating in the completion of the Fairway '55 in 2015.
Chassis Evolution:
At the heart of this transformation lay a brand-new custom chassis. The boxed frame, custom-crafted by Ironworks and enhanced with ridetech coilovers, formed the backbone of the Fairway '55. In the front is a complete C6 Corvette clip, modified with a Speedway Engineering antiroll bar, to make sure this ‘55 doesn’t handle like a stock ‘55. The rear features a four-link suspension and Panhard bar, cradeling a GMR Ford 9-inch with a 3.73:1 gear ratio and limited slip. The entire chassis, equipped with rideTech coilovers gives the Fairway '55 a stance that looks ultra-low, but still has plenty of ground clearance.
Powerful Heartbeat:
A car of this caliber demanded a potent powerplant, and thus, a Chevrolet Performance LSX 376-B15 found its home beneath the hood. Straight from the crate, this Gen IV small-block underwent additional hot rodding at the Ironworks facility. The engine received a dual-quad intake manifold and a Vortech V-20 series supercharger, creating a perfect marriage of high-tech engineering and classic aesthetics. Braided lines and hoses, along with Chevrolet script valve covers, added a touch of old-school charm. The 4L85E transmission, assembled by RPM Transmissions in Indianapolis, seamlessly translated the engine's power to the wheels, making the Fairway '55 no slouch out of the gate.
Exterior Metamorphosis:
The exterior is where Rodger’s vision really came to fruition. You see on a stock ‘55, the rocker panel sits lower than the front bumper by a few inches. When you slam the car, the proportions are off a bit and it gives the car somewhat of a stink-bug stance.
What Rodger did was took a wedge section starting at 2.5” tall at the firewall down to 0” at the back of the car to bring the rocker panel up and level with the front bumper. This gives the proper proportions and also gives it a bit more ground clearance. Brian Hosty, a master in his craft, skillfully reshaped the doors, quarters, and rear fenders to fulfill Rodger’s vision.
Orange Glow and Custom Wheels:
To keep with the Gasser influence, the paint was sprayed with PPG orange, affectionately dubbed "Hateraide." Evod Industries' custom wheels, reminiscent of Halibrand magnesium wheels from the '60s, graced the Fairway '55 – an 18-inch set in the front and a 19-inch set in the rear. Wrapped in Michelin radials, these wheels, coupled with Wilwood brakes featuring 13-inch rotors, ensured both style and performance.
Cockpit Craftsmanship:
Inside, the Fairway '55 carries that Gasser influence where it’s simple and all business. Dakota Digital gauges adorned the stock dash, visible through the Budnik Dragon leather-wrapped steering wheel mounted on a shifter-equipped Ididit steering column. Sid Chavers upgraded the stock seats with new foam and black leather, complemented by Simpson four-point harnesses and a steel four-point harness bar.
The Vintage Air A/C system, housed under the custom-built underdash unit by Ironworks, adds a touch of comfort to the high-performance interior.
Grand Debut and Recognition:
Jimmy Chavez and Michael Pitney's meticulous assembly and wiring laid the groundwork for Fairway '55's grand debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where it found its place in the Vortech Superchargers display. Thousands marveled at its orange allure, ultimately earning the coveted GM Design Award for the Best Chevrolet Hot Rod.
