Printed in The American Tri-Five magazine in Volume 9 : Issue 4

As the days and weeks fly off the calendar, everyone is thrashing to gear up for the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP. A huge part of that preparation involves the Golden Star Classic Auto Parts Giveaway Car. The crew at Woody’s Hot Rodz pours hundreds of hours into each year’s giveaway car, and this year is no different. The ’57 Chevy two-door sedan will be a road-ready combination and a vital part of the recipe is a Woody’s Hot Rodz four-corner coilover chassis, equipped with a truck load of suspension, steering and braking components from our friends at Classic Performance Products (CPP).

The Woody’s crew started with the bare chassis sitting on jackstands and started building upon that solid foundation. CPP tubular control arms are paired with Viking double adjustable coilovers for awesome handling and ride quality. A CPP 500 series power steering box adds to the driving comfort, thanks to a 14:1 ratio. Finally, CPP’s Big Brake kit offers 13-inch crossdrilled rotors, twin-piston calipers and all the necessary plumbing and hardware to make this ’57 hit the highway in a few short months.

Out back, there is a Ford 9-inch rear end that features bracketry to adapt another pair of Viking coilovers and Woody’s Hot Rodz triangulated four-link setup. The 9-inch now features CPP disc brakes, an easy way to bring this Tri-Five into the modern era. The crew at Woody’s Hot Rodz continues to hammer away on the Golden Star Classic Auto Parts Giveaway Car with more to come in future issues.

CPP provided the tubular control arms, 13-inch disc brakes and 500 series power steering box, complete with linkage to go along with the Viking coilovers.

The CPP Big Brake kit comes pre-assembled, which saved the crew some time. The 13-inch crossdrilled rotors are mounted to CPP drop spindles, and CPP’s black powder-coated calipers finish off the combination.

CPP's tubular control arms are installed on the Woody’s Hot Rodz frame, using Grade 8 hardware. The Viking double adjustable coilover features 450-lb springs to coincide with the weight of the LS engine.

CPP’s Big Brake kit features one-piece coated rotors with pre-assembled hubs and wheel bearings underneath. The CPP calipers are pre-loaded with pads and ready to go.

CPP builds its tubular control arms with .120-inch wall tubing for a strong foundation. The upper control arms feature 1-1/4-inch diameter tubing, which ties into the chrome moly cross shafts, which have been zinc plated for a long-lasting finish.

Woody’s Hot Rodz finished off the front suspension assembly with a CPP 500 series power steering box and accompanying pitman arm, idler arm and linkage.

The CPP's lower control arms feature 1-1/2-inch by .120-inch wall DOM tubing and feature patented no-squeak plastic bushings for longevity and comfort.

Woody’s Hot Rodz assembled the front suspension and placed alignment shims in the upper control arm. The crew will dial in the alignment when the chassis is fully loaded at ride height.

Out back, the Woody’s Hot Rodz chassis features a Ford 9-inch rear end housing, which has been modified to accept the triangulated four-link rear suspension. The CPP Big Brake kit fits nicely on the 9-inch housing.

The triangulated four-link rear suspension provides great flexibility and eliminates the original leaf springs, which can hinder tire and wheel fitment as well as handling capability.

As the rear end housing comes together with the Viking coilovers, the Woody’s crew finishes the brake install. Notice the removal of the axle retainer plate, a step required to install the CPP disc brakes.

The CPP Big Brake kit includes the necessary brackets and hardware to install disc brakes on the 9-inch rear end. The new retainer plates and caliper brackets are attached with Grade 8 hardware.

Out back, the aluminum 29-gallon gas tank from CPP fits nicely between the frame rails. The tank is fully baffled and is a perfect application for our fuel injected LS engine from Ed Rinke Performance Parts.

Our Woody’s Hot Rodz chassis is now complete and ready for brake lines, fuel lines and mounts for the engine and transmission. Then, we can bolt on the wheels and tires and be one step closer to giving this ’57 Chevy away on August 10th.

Pushing toward the car’s big debut at the 2024 Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP, The car will be given away to a lucky participant at 6pm on Saturday, August 10th, at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The only way to be eligible for the giveaway car is to be registered and be present at the time of the drawing. Will you be there?