Has anyone successfully rebuilt from the ashes. I onsold my 57 Australian assembled Superchief 26yrs ago after many fun yrs and lasting memories.

initially purchased in Perth 1980 by myself  The  car was involved in a total destruction shed fire recently.  The chap I sold it to all those yrs ago had it Stripped for a total rebuild. 

I still hold this vehicle close to my heart. If I can help him with advise I would appreciate the chance to pass it on to him. Maybe the encouragement will help the pain of loss.

Heat is part of the process of shrinking or stretching metal into a shape.  Doors ect, might not be even close to opening or closing.  Trim might not fit.  Most engine fires, the entire front clip is replaced.   If it burned down the interior.  It's more than likely the end of the line. 

Can this comeback from the ashes  or is it  funeral for a friend

Anything is re-buildable, but there comes a point where cost out weighs desire! I think your there! Cheaper to find a new carcass & start with that.

Very sad to even look at !!!. i too think that its beyond reincarnation !

Just breaks my heart.  Feel for their loss. Not just the 57 several other collectable vehicles. 

Agee with the guys...The intense heat also changes the properties of the steel ...Making it brittle and hard to work with...Especially if it was cooled off really quickly  with a fire hose....

Sorry about...You and Your friends loss...

TLBT..

Edited April 18, 20233 yr by TWO LANE BLACK TOP

When I bought it there were 2 cars for $500 . After swapping engine blocks for a rebuilt motor fitt (as the best car had a cracked block that could not be fixed. ) I advertised the de chromed donor car for 1 dozen of the local brew. Not 1 taker so we just left Perth I guess the council would have disposed of it eventually.  Unbelievable and such a waste but too expensive to drag across the Nullabor and freight back to NZ.

16 minutes ago, Only said:

When I bought it there were 2 cars for $500 . After swapping engine blocks for a rebuilt motor fitt (as the best car had a cracked block that could not be fixed. ) I advertised the de chromed donor car for 1 dozen of the local brew. Not 1 taker so we just left Perth I guess the council would have disposed of it eventually.  Unbelievable and such a waste but too expensive to drag across the Nullabor and freight back to NZ.

wtf !!! was this this year ???? 

No 1980 - 81in Perth.

I onsold to current owner in 1996 -97 after many yrs of traveling in NZ for $5000. Nobody wanted a Pontiac a 57 Chev would have been heaps more. But I knew these guys would give it a good home.

201 Australian 57 Pontiacs were assembled at the Holden factory. In the States it would have been a Starchief. 347 manual 4 door

1 hour ago, Only said:

When I bought it there were 2 cars for $500 . After swapping engine blocks for a rebuilt motor fitt (as the best car had a cracked block that could not be fixed. ) I advertised the de chromed donor car for 1 dozen of the local brew. Not 1 taker so we just left Perth I guess the council would have disposed of it eventually.  Unbelievable and such a waste but too expensive to drag across the Nullabor and freight back to NZ.

That is sooooo cool 

Thanks for your thoughts and  input . I will update on progress if it happens. 

I went through this in 2017 and lost2 cars & from what I can see this is DONE!! Intense heat seized the rear ends in both cars, 52 Pontiac Torpedo back and 69 Cutlass convertible + the transmissions melted [aluminum] Unfortunately this is too far gone and I feel for you  Pete