Projects 55 Chevy Bel Air Resurrection

It is great that you got it up and running. I never worry about how long things take when I work on my cars. Getting on the road is usually my first priority, everything else is when I have the time and money to do it. You already got it running, nice!

 

Car has been down for a bit, I had some ignition gremlins that I've been fighting. I swapped the car over to a HEI distributor, and once I had the old points out I found the issue; a little shard of metal bouncing around in the distributor.

The car might look a lot different in the spring, so I wanted to take some pics before the snow flies.

 

It's better with nice paint, of course... but, natural patina is good too. I drove my 56 F100 as it was with patina until I finally got it painted. I do remember taking it to a show and seeing a old friend, Chuck. I asked him if he saw my truck-"Yeah I saw it" he said with a sneer. Well fuck him- what a attitude! He has never seen it painted and prolly never will. I'd like to say I didn't care, but it did kinda piss me off at the time. Do what you want- paint is expensive and it looks great as is.

 

Just now finding this thread. Very cool that you are getting your uncles car going again. You are making good progress as best I can tell in a pretty short amount of time. I can’t wait to see what all you do with it. Maybe I’ll even get to see it in person sometime since my younger brother lives near you. I was up for Autorama last year. Anyway, keep it up!

 

On your headlights-you mentioned you were looking for something that looked better-

I put a set of the Holley Retrobrites in one of my cars for an event that I knew I was going to be driving at night in rural areas with no lighting. Made a HUGE difference and they're not noticeable unless you're looking for them. I have no connection or sponsorship, just my experience.

Devin

 

Hey, keep on rolling! If you end up buying chrome, a wagon bumper gets the tag off the trunk lid.

 

Yep, I am aware of the retro brights, they are just spendy! I have been keeping an eye out for a set on the secondary market.

I really appreciate all the kind words and advice everyone! This is my first tri-five and my first, I guess what you would call "hot rod" so I appreciate the guidance.

 

So are you planning to go back to color it was repainted back in the day or are you going to original color?

 

Wagon bumper on a sedan/hardtop has always been one of my favorite trim five parts swaps

 

That I do not have an answer for yet. I'm undecided. First thing I have to do is replace the floors and rocker on the drivers side, so I have time.

It was originally neptune green and shoreline beige. Unfortunately I don't know exactly what color blue it was, but I'm sure I could match it fairly close from what remains.


To complicate things, I also really, really love this:

 

Broke a rear trans mount, replaced both yesterday. The motor has slowly been shifting down and rear word on the passenger side to the point the distributor was leaning on the firewall. I should have done this months ago honestly, really happy with how the motor and trans sits in the chassis now. Honestly really happy with the state of the chassis over all.

My headers are shot. They're next on the list.