I'm thinking about stripping the side chrome from my buick, anyone have any pictures of a 54 -57 buick with this done ?? I have only found one photo in searching the HAMB, and it was a front 3/4 shot, it didn't help me alot. I think it would look pretty good, but it may lose it's identity ?? Maybe some one could photshop my car dechromed and all green on the bottom?? Thanks...
Dude, the side trim is one of the best parts of that car. Don't do it. Ditch the grill center bar instead.
Between the replies here, and the PM's, I'd say the only people who say detrim it want to buy my chrome. After seeing the photoshop, it does look a little bland without it, I may just go with the solid color on the bottom and keep the trim. Gotgas, that sectioned car you posted looks awesome.
Don't do it. The side trim and wheel wells are the whole identity of the mid-'50s Buicks, and changing either one would mess it up. Gotgas is right. Shave the hood and deck, lose the "Special" emblems and the portholes, fix the rockers and put a nice paint job on it. I'd put some Buick dog dish hubcaps, '55 Buick spinners, or some Skylark wires on it and call it a day. Look how good this thing looks, stone stock:
Jesus! Why is everyone in such a fucking hurry to strip the details they make these cars so interesting to look at? WHY? Without that trim your car will look like a fucking refrigerator with wheels. Hey, YOU ASKED PS-leave the portholes alone too
shave it and deck it but leave the side trim and port holes......why do think everyone uses 50's Buick side trim?? 'couse it's Bad Ass.....thats why
it definitely does not improve that particular car....on many cars, it does help a ton,,but not those...........i like 56 buick portholes better than those round ones though,,but thats just my personal preference......the car would look great just nosed/decked, shave the handles, chrome reverse/spiders, wide whites,,,take out that emblem in the grille, put in some expanded metal with oval chrome drawer pulls, or maybe a 58 buick grille if you can find one,,,,,those cars dont need much tweaking to look right..
Ahhh...the power of the H.A.M.B. Don't let your heads swell up though, the pictures did it....I'm keeping the chrome, and the port holes....But thanks for the opinions and ideas.
Well, no need for photoshops homie, here you go... still needs more work but you get the picture. Many scratches and scuffs cause was moving it from location to location while I was restoring. will post more when body work is complete and bags are placed!... iput some photoshops I did awhile ago, just for another perspective.