Projects My '50 2-door Chevy Deluxe build

Not sure how I missed this thread; I usually get drawn in on any of the 49-52 builds. sorry, not a big 534-54 fan. I'm on board with the TH400 decision; the TH375 is an odd duck, and loooong to boot. It would make for finding and shortening a driveshaft easier; can't really stretch one though. The nephew and I put together a 51 Bus coupe I gave him; I bought the car here on the HAMB classifieds. He's lost interest in the car, and it's coming back to me again. It's built in a street gasser fashion with a 350, one of my built aluminum Powerglides, a 56 rear end with 4.88:1 Positaction, slapper bars, big and little Cragar S/S rims/tires, and all the little stuff that adds up. i'll be watching this thread now. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

So here it's been four months again since I've done anything with my build. I wanted to post a few pics of the firewall but haven't been able to get it to work. I need to install brake lines, then I want to start putting it back together. We'll see how far I get this winter while it's cool enough to work on it.

 

7 years gone in the blink of an eye. I moved the 50 over to a friend’s shop just after the beginning of the year. Been chipping away at it bit by bit. The dream is still alive.

 

First time I had it all together since I bought it.

 

Those with a sharp eye might have noticed something which I didn’t until we put the front clip together. The fenders I got with the car are from a 51 or 52. As you can see where the grille ends don’t match up.

 

This is what it took to make the grille fit. Had to remove some metal:

 

With the front clip all fit together, the next issue was fitting the radiator.

 

I didn’t measure correctly when I welded in the new V-8 motor mounts, so the engine was about 3” too far forward. This didn’t leave enough room for the radiator in the factory location, so we went to work trying to fit it in front of the core support, closer to the grille. I had to cut the hood support and the splash pan:

 

Then modified the core support by moving the top brace to the inside and notching the bottom for the lower inlet:

 

Then I made some mounting brackets out of aluminum angle:

 

I just had to remove the front stiffening support from the underside of the hood to give me enough clearance for the radiator cap.

 

Next I had to modify the hood catch plate so the hood would close and lock properly:

 

I saved the piece of the original support bracket that I had cut off, so I was able to reuse it and just weld it back together. I also welded a washer to the back edge of the support plate for a mounting location to bolt it to the support.

 

Works like it was factory!!

 

Funny how much work goes into a build. Sometimes it’s little things that aren’t really important, they just need to be done. Otherwise they will leave your project looking unfinished. For example this little patch job someone did on the driver’s front fender:

 

This is my buddy Doug, he’s 80 and still works on cars almost every day. He’s a body man and loves Mopar. He’s the only reason I’ve been able to get as much done this past summer as I have. With his abilities we’re making these fenders look like a 50 should! Heat and a shrinking hammer can do wonders.

 

I spent some a lot of time plug welding all the holes from the chrome trim, since I don’t want to have any on the car, in order to keep the body lines cleaner and simple looking.

 

Then I went to work stitch welding the hood together. I want it to be one piece with no trim down the center. My plan is to just put the front plaque on it but no hood ornament. Doug also worked out some dents and threw some primer on it. Still gonna need some body filler. My little girl wanted to help out too.

 

Had to make a tab for the rear line. So now the brake system is complete, I just need to add fluid and bleed it.

 

Cleaned up the inner fenders and hit ‘em with gloss black. Had to fix some cancer I found under the battery box. Borrowed some sheet metal from an old door that had been hit pretty hard and was getting scrapped.

 

Shot some gloss on the firewall too.

 

Baby steps, sprayed the underside of the hood with Raptor Liner. Turned out pretty good

 

So many little things that need to be done. And so many times taking it apart and putting it back together.

 

Got the steering column in and the linkage all hooked up. Had to clearance the frame a bit to make it work.

 

Back together again. I don’t think there’ll be any reason to take the front clip off again.

 

Still been at it bit by bit. Cleaned up the front floor pan and interior firewall, then sprayed it with raptor liner.

 

Installed a new gas tank and ran the fuel lines.

 

Finally got the engine all put together (distributor, plugs, wires, carb) and fired her up!!! It was great hearing this baby come to life after so many years.

 

Bolted in the original front seat frame and took her to the muffler man. Got a full exhaust now. I was able to move the car under its own power and steer and stop. Until my power steering line blew.