Projects 55 Chevy Bel Air Resurrection

Thanks! We'll see how to looks with the trim, I think it's going to look cool.

I do love how it sits. I bought new tires with wheels to match the front, so I can run dog dishes at all 4 corners but I love how it looks now.

 

X2 for sure!

 

I've lost track of where this thing is at in this thread, but she's basically "done" and back on the road for this season.

New updates since I finished the metal work:

-New mid length headers
-New Exhaust
-New plug wires and wire boots
-Moon Tac on the column
-Cleaned up a ton of wiring under that dash that is part of the ignition system as part of the tac install
-New (used) rear wheels and rubber, and dog dish hub caps.

What's left for this year:

-Put the rest of the trim on
-I want to take a stab at upholstering new door cards myself. Once I do that the interior will actually be pretty nice.
-I don't like how the front tires look, I might change those to match the back.

 

All in all, it has a great look to it.

 

Maybe show us a pic with the rear side spear installed, but before the vertical piece at the beltline dip. Leaving it off seems to be a popular custom trick to ''elongate'' the car. This would really work on your lowered HT. Can't decide if that trick is gonna happen on my '55. Bel Air was the top model and got all the brightwork. To my eye, it looks great as stock.

 

From the Cars Inc Open House. Trying to find time to get the rest of the trim on it.

 

The next logical step is paint and new stainless...

 

Trim is all back on it. On the p***enger side one of the door points is new and doesn't like up well. I'm going to find a crusty used one instead. But I'm happy with how it looks otherwise. I need to get the bel air scripts on next.

 

I've got the back seat out to reupholster it. Bought a cover from a place in Cali that makes them. I just need to get new foam. Really happy with the interior, crazy what a difference carpet made.

 

Quick video I made yesterday. First try, I'm no videographer.

https://youtube.com/shorts/re1DiceEJwM?si=3zfayO9UM1_EPua6

 

Looks good with the moldings on it, interior looks nice too. Comfortable, but still basic enough to not look out of place with the outside.

If the trim mis-alignment of the door molding is a vertical thing, it's because the original molding clips did not have the stud right in the center, they were offset. You can correct it if you get some of those molding clips that are big rectangles that you cut down to size, not sure what those are called, but you cut one side shorter than the other enough to make up the difference. Those universal, football shaped clips usually have the stud in the center and that can throw off the vertical alignment of those moldings.

 

Thanks a ton for the help and information, I appreciate it!

You're right, the stud is in the center. What's weird is you can see it lines up on the drivers side ok, just not the p***enger. I have to take it back apart and make some changes. I hate how the brand new shiny piece of trim looks on it anyways.

The door cards are wasted, falling apart. Taking them off and then reinstalling them didn't do any favors. So I am going to come up with a solution for that before I take them off again. Either upholster my own or have sheet metal laser cut.

 

I might have a more weathered used molding that I'd swap you for your new one if you really want, I could check.

 

that thing is *****in

 

That would be great, thank you! I have only asked around but people want more than a new one for a crusty old one. lol

 

Looking good man!

 

I think this is the one you need, is it too crusty? The orange staining I'm sure would polish off, but it's also a bit bent, you'd have to tweak it/flatten it out a little to get it to sit against the door properly. Certainly has the right look though. If you want it, message me your mailing address, I'll send it to you, and when you get it you can send the other one back to me. Let me know either way.

 

Well, the old girl is sold. I feel like I saved it, it should be around another 70 years thanks to the work I put into it. The new owner plans on leaving it crusty, while continuing to make the interior/ch***is nicer and is going to take it on the power tour next year. He's local, so I will get to see it around and keep tabs on it. I also get dibs if he decides to sell it.

Miss it already, but the extra cash will help me make my '55 g***er really nice. Something my kids can enjoy with me.

 

Wow - didnt see that coming - congrats - doing a similar wake up of an old hotrod 210 sedan now - is there a thread on your g***er?

 

I didn't really think I'd sell it either. LOL I put it up for sale thinking if I found a buyer I liked where it would stay local and I could get dibs if he sold it I would let it go. It sold a lot faster than I expected.

It was my Uncle's car. Always felt like his. I'm ready to build my own. My grandfather had his, my uncle had his, I'm ready for "mine".

Speaking of which, here is what you asked for:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1955-g***er-build.1333821/