With a can-do attitude and a lot of elbow grease, Robby Layton and his friends accomplished in 9 days what would normally take months to do.
Committing the time, effort, and money to work on a project car is not for the faint of heart. It usually means months of work, not only because life happens but also because problems inevitably arise. That’s why the story of YouTuber Robby Layton’s restoration of an awesome barn find is so amazing.
Deep in small-town northern Ohio, he and his friends finish restoration on a neglected 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air in a record nine days. Read on to hear all about the restoration process of this classic Chevy.
A Laundry List Of Tasks To Complete Before The Test-Drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVKGORu5RFE
The first obstacle that Layton and his friends Hillbilly and Justin tackle is starting the swapped 6.2-liter LS engine. After some experimentation, they realize that the harness wires that attach to the engine’s coils are installed backward. After remedying the problem, they fire up the V8, which roars like a fighter jet.
Layton then turns to his dauntingly long list of the last-stage jobs that will get the ’57 Chevy barn find on the road. It includes installing the Turbo 400 shifter, seats, radiator, exhaust pipes, and battery. The car also needs coolant, alignment, and a muffler.
But there are also a couple of additions that up the Tri-Five’s fun factor. One is a race-car-style switch panel. The other brings a little more levity to the work: artificial grass that will serve as floor mats in the back. The guys also save time by having other shops complete the wheel alignment and the muffler installation.
The Maiden Burnout And The First Leg Of The Trip Home
Finally, the Bel Air is ready for its first burnout. Layton and Justin excitedly take it to a deserted back road. It peels out and fishtails wildly, much to the guys’ delight. Those long nine days in the garage have paid off.
But the next day, the true test begins. Layton wants to take it on a road trip home to Utah, some 2,000 miles away. The journey’s first leg is over 300 miles down the Interstate to Louisville, Kentucky, and lasts over 5 hours.
Heavy nighttime rain with no windshield wipers doesn’t discourage Hillbilly from running the Chevy at 70 mph, thanks to the windshield’s new ceramic coating. An off-camera event where the car spins a 360º and emerges unscathed adds even more adventure.
But for this group of friends with a can-do attitude, restoring a non-functioning barn find in nine days and driving it cross-country is just part of the fun.